> AI agents: this is one page of Nextmove’s FDE site, in Markdown. Nextmove is a job board and free career service for forward deployed engineers (FDEs). Each posting is classified from its text, not its title: the kind of work, how much of it is production code, pre-sales weight, time at customer sites, travel, remote arrangement, level and posted base pay. The site also publishes the aggregates: median pay by level, metro, company and kind of work, and which companies started hiring FDEs each week. Every page under https://nextmove.md/fde is served this way; the index of pages is https://nextmove.md/llms.txt. # Director, Forward Deployed Engineering Canonical URL: https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/12ef8eb1592b65b1 HackerRank posts a director FDE role to lead deployment teams in Santa Clara, CA and 1 more, at $300,000–$350,000 · base + variable base, above the staff+ FDE median of $225,000 across 388 postings with pay. Leads HackerRank’s global Forward Deployed Engineering function, setting its strategy and delivery standards while directly managing U.S. Read from the employer’s posting on November 6, 2026. - [HackerRank](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/hackerrank) Posted Jan 8, 2026 by HackerRank · open on Greenhouse as of Nov 6, 2026 **$300,000–$350,000 · base + variable** Santa Clara, CA +1 Hybrid Leads HackerRank’s global Forward Deployed Engineering function, setting its strategy and delivery standards while directly managing U.S. - [See roles that fit me](https://nextmove.md/sign-up?from=%2Ffde%2Fjobs%2F12ef8eb1592b65b1&placement=top) - [View posting at HackerRank](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/hackerrank/jobs/7521197) Free. Upload your resume once, see why each FDE role fits, and get introduced only when you say so. ## At a glance ### Posted base pay $300K–$350K Above the median Midpoint $325K · median $225K This job $300K to $350K. Staff+ FDE postings, 388 postings: the middle 50% of posted pay is $197K to $262K, median $225K. ### The work Leads the deployment team Project stages 1. Pre-sales 2. Proof of concept 3. Implementation 4. Operations - **Builds for**: External customers - **Level**: Staff+ - **Role**: People manager ### What they ask for Experience - **8+ years** engineering, solutions engineering, or technical delivery - **2+ years** leading technical teams Background - **Software engineering** - **Solutions and customer engineering** - **Implementation and data engineering** ### Do you meet what the posting states? The posting asks for 2+ years. How many do you have? The posting reads as a staff-level role. What level are you at now? The job is in Santa Clara, CA · Mountain View, CA. Could you work in one of these? Which of these have you used in production? Answer each one. Nothing is saved or sent. [What postings ask for, by background →](https://nextmove.md/fde/paths) ## Conditions - **Location**: Santa Clara, CA · Mountain View, CA - **Work arrangement**: Hybrid - **Remote work restrictions**: Hybrid in Santa Clara or Mountain View, California - **Pay**: ## More like this [Serval](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/serval) ### [Deployment Leadership](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/2cf4f2be614e9158) San Francisco, CA On-site 5mo ago $250,000–$400,000 [Chalk](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/chalk) ### [Director, Forward Deployed Engineering](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/47c6797aead04cf6) San Francisco, CA On-site 2mo ago $300,000–$350,000 [Amazon (incl AWS)](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/amazon-incl-aws) ### [Director, Product Management — Forward Deployed Engineering, AWS Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE)](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/f6e94d87514d5da3) East Palo Alto, CA · Boston, MA · +1 more 7w ago $237,500–$350,000 - [Other jobs at HackerRank (1)](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/hackerrank) ## The job description from HackerRank Posted by HackerRank on Jan 8, 2026 HackerRank helps companies like NVIDIA, Amazon, and Microsoft hire and upskill the next generation of developers based on skills, not pedigree. Our platform is trusted by over 2,500 of the world’s most innovative companies to build strong engineering teams ready for what’s next. Software has entered an era where humans and AI build side by side. As this shift accelerates, the definition of strong technical talent is changing. We give companies better ways to identify and invest in next-generation skills. People at HackerRank care deeply about the impact of their work and sweat the small details so our customers can be wildly successful with products they genuinely love to use. We move with urgency and believe great outcomes come from high standards. ### About the Role HackerRank is scaling its Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) function globally. We are hiring a Director, Forward Deployed Engineering (Global) to set the strategy, standards, and execution bar for this team. This is a hands-on leadership role. You will lead the global FDE function, directly manage FDEs in the U.S., and partner closely with regional GMs in EMEA and APAC. ### What you’ll do - Lead, coach, and grow a team of FDEs that lead customer engagements (pre- and post-sales) to define and deliver solutions. - Partner with Sales, Product, Engineering, and Customer Success to shape solutions that solve real customer problems. - Work with Product and Engineering to incorporate customer-specific solutions into the product roadmap. - Provide hands-on technical leadership across APIs, integrations, and platform capabilities. - Elevate how we run demos, proofs of concept, and onsite engagements. - Build repeatable playbooks, delivery standards, and best practices to move fast at scale. ### Who you are - A seasoned technical leader with 8+ years in engineering, solutions engineering, or technical delivery, and 2+ years leading high-performing technical teams. - Obsessed with operating alongside the team, reviewing designs, challenging assumptions, and stepping in when problems get ambiguous or high-stakes. - Highly experienced in leading customer-facing technical teams where success depends on credibility, clarity, and execution, not scripts or handoffs. - Fluent across engineering and business contexts, you can debate architecture with engineers and align outcomes with sales, product, and customer leaders. - Excellent presenter and communicator who can modulate the message across both technical and non-technical audiences. ### Even better if you have - Experience as a Forward Deployed Engineer, Solutions Engineer, or Technical Consultant. - Background in developer tools, HR tech, or API-first SaaS platforms. - Experience working in globally distributed or matrixed teams. ### You will thrive in this role if - You enjoy building teams, systems, and standards from the ground up. - Ambiguity energizes you, especially in fast-moving environments. - You hold high standards for ownership and quality, with a bias toward action and urgency. ### Compensation This role offers a total target compensation of $300,000–$350,000, which includes base salary and a 20% variable component tied to individual and company performance. You’ll also receive stock options and a comprehensive set of cash and non-cash benefits. **Want to learn more about HackerRank?** Check out HackerRank.com to explore our products, solutions and resources, and dive into our story and mission here. HackerRank is a proud equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. We provide equal opportunity to everyone for employment based on individual performance and qualification. We never discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital, veteran, or disability status. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Linkedin | X | Blog | Instagram | Life@HackerRank *Notice to prospective HackerRank job applicants:* - *Our Recruiters use @hackerrank.com email addresses.* - *We never ask for payment or credit check information to apply, interview, or work here.* [View posting at HackerRank](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/hackerrank/jobs/7521197) ## About HackerRank HackerRank helps companies assess, interview, and develop technical talent through skills-based software and a developer community. Series D · 200–500 people ## Similar jobs [Fieldguide](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/fieldguide) ### [Head of Deployed Engineering](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/f2bf39c185070fc9) San Francisco, CA Remote 3w ago $240,000–$390,000 [Aircall](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/aircall) ### [Director, Forward Deployed Engineering & AI GTM](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/fc7f1d0479aa37c4) New York, NY · San Francisco, CA 3mo ago $200,000–$299,000 [Veeam Software](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/veeam-software) ### [Technical Lead Manager, Forward Deployed Engineering](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/fe5ff6be3e268032) San Jose, CA 4w ago $169,920–$315,600 [Doppel](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/doppel) ### [Deployment Lead, FDE (SF)](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/07021125b53721b9) San Francisco, CA 6w ago $250,000–$315,000 [Flow Engineering](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/flow-engineering) ### [Head of Forward Deployed Engineering](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/37ce06f2fc048cbe) San Francisco, CA On-site 6w ago $240,000–$300,000 - [Compare staff+ FDE salary ranges](https://nextmove.md/fde/salary/staff) - [Similar jobs in SF Bay Area](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs?region=sf-bay-area) - [Similar jobs that lead deployment teams](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs?role=leadership) Hiring at HackerRank and want this page changed or removed? Email info@nextmove.md and we take it down. Employer postings · [How we read postings](https://nextmove.md/fde/method)