Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)

We are looking for a proactive, high-trust partner who thrives in agile environments, acts as a bridge to internal product teams, and possesses a deep passion for the future of AI-driven security. Role Responsibilities Customer Engagement & Technical Leadership: Serve as a trusted advisor to key enterprise customers, providing technical insights, best practices, and strategic recommendations that support their business goals and drive success with Cloudflare’s solutions in particular Cloudflare’s worker and workers AI platforms. Lead architectural discussions, design sessions, and solution reviews to ensure the optimal application of Cloudflare’s offerings in customer environments. Diagnose complex technical issues and deliver effective, strategic solutions in collaboration with the support and product teams. Architect Application Security: Design and configure comprehensive, tailored solutions with a focus on Application Security, utilizing Cloudflare Workers to optimize and direct global traffic and Network Security. Master Infrastructure as Code: Support the account team by navigating and managing complex configurations heavily reliant on Terraform to ensure seamless operational stability. Act as a Strategic Liaison: Serve as a high-speed conduit between the customer and internal Cloudflare teams (Product, Support, Engineering), effectively advocating for customer needs and influencing product roadmaps. Navigate Modern Communication: Manage complex, fast-moving technical discussions primarily through Slack, acting as a guide for the customer even when formal calls are difficult to schedule. Drive AI Innovation: Leverage your deep knowledge of AI/LLM concepts to align Cloudflare’s capabilities with the customer’s AI-focused culture and future technological goals. Provide Long-Term Guidance: Stay with the account post-migration as a trusted advisor to identify future strategic initiatives, including a transition into Network Security and SASE architectures. Role Requirements Must-Have Skills 10+ Years of Technical Customer Facing Experience: Proven track record as a technical architect or lead on complex, enterprise-level projects within cloud networks, web infrastructure, or security. Application Security Expertise: Extensive and proven knowledge of development platforms such as Cloudflare’s Application Security, Workers and Workers AI, cybersecurity, web performance, and cloud infrastructure. Terraform Proficiency: Extensive experience implementing and supporting complex technical solutions using Terraform for infrastructure management. High-Stakes Relationship Management: Demonstrated ability to build trust and rapport in challenging environments, remaining flexible and persistent in establishing regular cadences with stakeholders. Advanced Communication: Exceptional ability to navigate "Slack-first" communication cultures, providing clear guidance and managing technical threads under pressure. AI/LLM Knowledge: A strong technical understanding of and passion for AI/LLM concepts, fitting the culture of a cutting-edge AI-centric organization. Technical Background: Strong knowledge of networking protocols, cybersecurity, and industry standards (e.g., Zero Trust/SASE). Nice-to-Have Skills Network Security Background: Experience or strong interest in transitioning application-heavy environments toward comprehensive Network Security and SASE models. Scripting & Automation: Proficiency in coding languages beyond Terraform to automate tasks at scale and build proof-of-concept setups. Financial Acumen: Experience managing or advising on project-based fund pools to maximize the value of a customer's strategic investment. Compensation Compensation may be adjusted depending on work location. This role is eligible to earn incentive compensation under Cloudflare’s Sales Compensation Plan. The estimated annual salary range includes the on-target incentive compensation that may be attained in this role under the Sales Compensation Plan. For Colorado, Hawaii, and Illinois based hires: Estimated annual salary of $167,000 - $230,000 For New York City, New Jersey, Washington, Washington DC, and California (excluding Bay Area) based hires: Estimated annual salary of $184,000 - $253,000 For Bay Area based hires: Estimated annual salary of $192,000 - $264,000 Equity This role is eligible to participate in Cloudflare’s equity plan. Benefits Cloudflare offers a complete package of benefits and programs to support you and your family. Our benefits programs can help you pay health care expenses, support caregiving, build capital for the future and make life a little easier and fun! The below is a description of our benefits for employees in the United States, and benefits may vary for employees based outside the U.S. Health & Welfare Benefits Medical/Rx Insurance Dental Insurance Vision Insurance Flexible Spending Accounts Commuter Spending Accounts Fertility & Family Forming Benefits On-demand mental health support and Employee Assistance Program Global Travel Medical Insurance Financial Benefits Short and Long Term Disability Insurance Life & Accident Insurance 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan Employee Stock Participation Plan Time Off Flexible paid time off covering vacation and sick leave Leave programs, including parental, pregnancy health, medical, and bereavement leave What Makes Cloudflare Special? We’re not just a highly ambitious, large-scale technology company. We’re a highly ambitious, large-scale technology company with a soul. Fundamental to our mission to help build a better Internet is protecting the free and open Internet. Project Galileo : Since 2014, we've equipped more than 2,400 journalism and civil society organizations in 111 countries with powerful tools to defend themselves against attacks that would otherwise censor their work, technology already used by Cloudflare’s enterprise customers--at no cost. Athenian Project : In 2017, we created the Athenian Project to ensure that state and l