Forward Deployed Software Engineer
Who Are We?
Government technology has failed the public for decades, and Americans have been conditioned to expect websites from the 90s, even for the most important civic services.
Kaizen exists to restore citizens' trust in American public services by building technology that actually works. We partner with agencies at every level of government to replace legacy constituent service systems with modern, AI-native software that is worthy of the people they serve. We started in Parks and Recreation, and now we're building towards something much larger, the software layer that powers how Americans access the services their government owes them across all parts of government.
Our platform already reaches 40 million residents across 50+ agencies in 17 states.
Founded in 2022 and based in New York City, Kaizen has raised $35 million from NEA, A16z, Accel, 776, and Carpenter Capital. We're builders, designers, and operators who believe that beautifully designed software isn't a luxury in government, but it's how you earn trust back.
Location
This is a hybrid role based out of our New York City HQ. Candidates must reside in New York or be able to commute to New York City to work out of our office at least three times a week (Tuesdays - Thursdays).
The Role
We’re looking for our first Forward Deployed Software Engineer (FDSE) to work directly with our customers, understand their requests, and build solutions that deliver immediate impact. FDSEs sit at the intersection of engineering and deployment. You will partner closely with external customers to translate real-world workflows into polished, scalable software. You’ll also help our engineering team build expertise in rapid iteration, pattern recognition, and the use of AI tooling to accelerate development. This role is ideal for an engineer who loves building fast for real users, thrives in ambiguous contexts, and is energized by operating at the edge of customer needs.
Who You Are
A product-minded engineer who cares deeply about user experience, clarity, and outcomes
You are AI-native and excited to push a new generation of development and product tools to their limit
Comfortable working directly with customers and guiding them through technical decisions
Energized by ambiguous, fast-moving problem spaces and capable of bringing structure to them
Equally comfortable thinking in systems and diving into implementation details
Collaborative, low-ego, and motivated by mission-driven work
What You’ll Do
Build end-to-end solutions: Design and implement full-stack features (React/Next.js, TypeScript, Node, Postgres) driven by customer needs
Turn ambiguity into clarity: Scope unclear customer problems and translate them into buildable engineering work
Prototype and iterate rapidly: Gather feedback directly from users and incorporate it into tight iteration cycles
Use AI to accelerate workflows: Leverage AI copilots and automation to code faster, debug smarter, and synthesize user patterns
Drive cross-functional alignment: Collaborate with product, design, engineering, and deployment to unblock issues and move work forward
Contribute to scalable systems: Identify recurring customer needs and build reusable components, playbooks, or internal tools
What You’ll Bring
5+ years of professional software engineering experience working directly with customers or end users
Experience building full-stack applications with modern web technologies (React/Next.js, TypeScript, Node.js, Postgres)
Ability to translate customer workflows and pain points into technical solutions
Strong communication skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Comfort supporting deployments, integrations, or customer-facing technical work
A bias toward action, learning, and continuous iteration
Excitement about using AI tools to improve engineering speed, quality, and reliability
Strong Candidates May Also…
Have experience in civic tech, public sector deployments, consulting, or forward-deployed engineering
Have built AI-enhanced workflows or used AI agents extensively for development
Have led customer-facing implementations or integrations in complex environments
Have contributed to internal documentation, tooling, or cultural practices that improve team velocity
What Kaizen Offers
Comprehensive medical through Oxford/United - Gold and Platinum PPO plans, with 85% of premiums covered on the Platinum plan and a $0 employee premium option. Dental through Guardian PPO and vision through Beam, with 99% of employee premiums covered and 50% for dependents.
$100,000 in fully paid life insurance. FSA and Dependent Care FSA. 401(k) access through Guideline.
16 weeks of fully paid parental leave for birthing parents. 10 weeks fully paid for non-birthing parents.
Unlimited PTO & closed for all federal holidays.
Company-wide winter break the week of Christmas.
One-time home office or desk setup stipend up to $750.
$50/month commuter benefit.
$100/month for wellness or productivity - your call on how you use it!
$500/year for professional development.
$250/year for recreation,
Company-provided laptop
Expensed lunch while in the office.
Kaizen is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you need an accommodation during the interview process, email us at careers@kaizenlabs.co.