Forward Deployed Engineer at Nectar | Palo Alto

OverviewIn today's rapidly evolving landscape of commerce, traditional marketing strategies are becoming obsolete. The new generation of consumers seeks authentic connections with brands, engaging in meaningful social interactions, and relying on trusted community recommendations. At Nectar, we are at the forefront of this transformation, developing an AI-dr…

About NectarAt Nectar, we are at the forefront of a revolutionary change in how consumers connect with brands. Today's consumers prioritize authentic social interactions over traditional marketing tactics, seeking recommendations from trusted communities and personalized experiences.We are developing an AI-driven social operating system that facilitates this new commerce landscape. Our mission is to enhance the bond between brands and their audiences, providing real value to both parties. Our AI agents operate in real-time, delivering actionable insights, attributing engagement to revenue, and converting conversations into sales.Founded by former leaders from Meta, we proudly collaborate with brands like OLIPOP, Hatch, K18, and Little Spoon. After achieving product-market fit last year, we've experienced a remarkable 10x growth and are expanding our team to meet rising demands.Your RoleCore Backend Development: You will design and implement robust backend systems that process high volumes of real-time social data from platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn. Your expertise will help in building strong integrations with third-party APIs, optimizing AI workloads, and scaling our infrastructure.Enhance Operational Excellence: You will focus on improving system reliability, fostering an on-call culture, and advancing our systems as we onboard more clients and manage significantly larger data volumes.Technical Leadership: You will document architecture, influence tool and infrastructure choices, and mentor fellow engineers, promoting a collaborative environment where engineers can contribute across the entire product and infrastructure stack.Our technology stack includes TypeScript, AWS, Pulumi, Postgres, ClickHouse, and Turbopuffer. We strategically use AI tools like Cursor, Claude Code, Graphite, v0/Replit, and Granola to streamline our daily operations.

About Nectar Social Nectar Social is building an AI-powered social operating system designed to change how people discover, evaluate, and buy products. Today’s shoppers look for genuine brand relationships, trust recommendations from their communities, and expect experiences that feel personal and authentic. Our platform helps brands and communities connect in meaningful ways, delivering value on both sides. Founded by former Meta product and engineering leaders, we have raised over $40 million from investors such as GV and True Ventures. Our partners include brands like Oura Health, Caraway, e.l.f. Cosmetics, Kosas, and OLIPOP. We aim to shape the future of social commerce, where conversation, community, and shopping come together. Role Overview: Engineering Manager This Palo Alto-based role calls for an Engineering Manager with a strong product mindset to lead one of our core engineering teams. The team develops products that handle large volumes of social data, use AI agents in real time, and deliver analytics and automation to customers. Unlike traditional management roles, this position involves direct engagement in product development from idea to launch. The Engineering Manager will join customer calls, help set product direction, and work closely with product and design as a true partner. Mentorship, technical leadership, and shaping our engineering culture are key parts of the job as we grow beyond our current team of about 30. What You Will Do Support and develop engineers with regular feedback, mentorship, and opportunities for career growth Work alongside product and design to shape both what the team builds and how it gets built, sharing insights on user needs, scoping, and priorities Connect directly with customers to understand how social and brand teams operate and where the product can improve Lead planning and execution for your team’s product area, balancing speed, quality, and impact Promote technical quality across your systems, focusing on reliability, performance, and thoughtful architecture

Join Our Innovative TeamAt Nectar Social, we are at the forefront of a transformative shift in how individuals interact with brands. The modern consumer seeks authentic connections rather than traditional marketing pitches. They prioritize genuine recommendations from trusted communities and expect personalized, human-centric experiences.We are developing an AI-driven social operating system that fuels this new commerce landscape. Our mission is to ensure that every social interaction enhances the bonds between brands and their communities, creating significant value for all involved.Founded by former leaders from Meta, we have successfully secured over $30M in funding from prestigious investors such as GV and True Ventures. We collaborate with renowned brands including Oura Health, Caraway, e.l.f. Cosmetics, Kosas, and OLIPOP. Join us in shaping the future of social commerce, where community, dialogue, and commerce seamlessly integrate.Your RoleWe are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to architect and scale the foundational systems that drive Nectar's platform. Your work will involve developing the infrastructure that collects, processes, and analyzes vast amounts of social data, while empowering AI agents to interact with this data in real-time.This position requires a blend of deep technical expertise and architectural foresight. You will play a crucial role in defining the evolution of our systems as we expand our customer base, handle increasing data volumes, and enhance our product offerings.Your ResponsibilitiesDesign and scale core systems to ingest and process extensive social data from platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, X, Reddit, and LinkedIn.Develop data pipelines that support AI agents and facilitate real-time analytics for our clients.Lead critical technical decisions across the platform, producing design documentation and establishing scalable architecture patterns.Enhance reliability, performance, and cost-effectiveness of our data and AI infrastructure as we scale.Mentor fellow engineers and review system designs and code to elevate the engineering standards within the team.Collaborate closely with product and engineering leadership to tackle complex technical challenges and deliver impactful systems.Your Qualifications5+ years of experience in building and operating production software systems.Proven expertise in designing and scaling distributed systems and data infrastructure.Strong programming skills in languages such as Python, Java, or Go.Experience with cloud platforms and microservices architecture.Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

About Nectar SocialNectar Social is at the forefront of a transformative shift in product discovery and purchasing. The next generation of consumers engages with brands through genuine social interactions, relies on trusted community recommendations, and anticipates personalized experiences that feel authentic rather than corporate.Our team is dedicated to developing an AI-driven social operating system that fosters meaningful connections between brands and their communities, delivering real value on both sides.Founded by former leaders from Meta, we have recently secured $10.6 million in funding, co-led by GV (Google Ventures) and True Ventures. Join us as we create the future of social commerce, where community engagement, conversation, and commerce seamlessly integrate.Your RoleWe are seeking an enthusiastic early career Software Engineer eager to contribute to the development of next-generation AI-powered social commerce tools. In this hands-on position, you will help build systems utilized by prominent consumer brands while receiving mentorship and gaining experience in a dynamic startup setting.You will focus on feature development, AI integrations, and scaling our platform while learning the best practices in software development, cloud infrastructure, and AI workflows.ResponsibilitiesFeature Development: Assist in the design, testing, and rollout of essential product features.Utilize Our Technology Stack: Create solutions using Node.js, React, AWS, GCP, OpenAI, and more.Innovate Rapidly: Embrace agility in your work while maintaining high standards for security and performance.Cross-Department Collaboration: Partner with product, design, and engineering teams to understand user requirements and deliver impactful solutions.Support AI & Social Systems: Contribute to the development of systems for AI-driven automations, real-time social data analysis, and campaign tracking.

About UsAt Nectar Social, we are at the forefront of a transformative shift in the way individuals discover, assess, and purchase products. The emerging generation is moving away from conventional marketing methods; instead, they foster authentic relationships with brands through meaningful social interactions, seek recommendations from trusted communities, and demand personalized experiences that feel genuine rather than corporate.We are developing an AI-native social operating system aimed at revolutionizing the landscape of social commerce. Our mission is to ensure that every interaction enhances the bond between brands and their communities while delivering real value to both parties.Founded by former leaders from Meta's product and engineering teams, we have successfully secured $10.6 million in funding, co-led by Google Ventures and True Ventures. Join us as we shape the future of social commerce where community engagement, dialogue, and commerce intersect.The RoleAs a Senior Product Manager at Nectar Social, you will be responsible for driving core features that integrate AI across social, support, creator, and content workflows. You will collaborate directly with our customers and engineering team to develop products that yield measurable business results. This strategic position requires swift execution and a deep understanding of customer needs.Your key responsibilities will include:Owning the complete product development lifecycle from discovery through launch, collaborating closely with engineering to deliver impactful features.Representing the voice of the customer by conducting user research, collecting feedback, and converting real needs into effective product solutions.Establishing clear success metrics and employing data-driven decision-making to enhance our product continually.Contributing to product strategy and vision by identifying opportunities that create substantial business value.Adapting quickly and being resourceful—whether writing specifications or testing features, you'll take on multiple roles and excel in uncertainty.Keeping abreast of market trends and the competitive landscape to ensure we are building the right solutions.

As a Forward Deployed Engineer at Simular, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of AI by directly collaborating with clients to implement and customize our innovative AI agents in dynamic real-world settings.Key Responsibilities:Engage directly with pioneering clients to deploy and tailor Simular’s AI agents for practical applications.Transform client requirements into actionable product features, prototypes, and seamless integrations.Develop scripts and workflows to customize our AI agents for specific client environments.Create bespoke solutions and tools that effectively demonstrate the capabilities of Simular in operational contexts.Serve as a liaison between customer-facing teams and core engineering/research, translating feedback into product development priorities.Exhibit a resourceful and customer-centric mindset, acting as a foundational multiplier within the team.

About UsNectar Social is revolutionizing the landscape of social commerce with our innovative AI-native operating system. Rather than merely integrating AI into existing frameworks, we are redefining the entire category from scratch. With substantial backing of $10.6M from GV (Google Ventures) and True Ventures, we collaborate with prominent consumer brands such as OLIPOP, Tower 28, Hatch, and Magic Spoon. Founded by alumni from Stanford and Yale, our headquarters are situated in Palo Alto as we rapidly expand our team.The RoleWe are in search of a highly skilled Senior Product Designer who possesses a keen eye for detail and a proven history of delivering stunning products. In this role, you will enjoy a high degree of autonomy as you shape the future of brand-community interactions through AI. You will work swiftly, consistently deliver results, and influence the design language of a burgeoning category. If you are passionate about creating within an AI-native framework from the outset, we are eager to connect with you.Your ResponsibilitiesLead the design of core end-to-end product experiences.Develop new design patterns to enhance AI-human collaboration in social commerce.Conduct comprehensive user research alongside social media managers and community teams.Create and uphold scalable design systems across our expanding platform.Work in close collaboration with engineering and cross-functional teams to deliver high-caliber products.QualificationsA minimum of 5 years of experience in product design.Hybrid work model requiring 3 days per week in our Palo Alto office.A strong portfolio illustrating the end-to-end design process from research to launched products in a startup environment.Experience in designing data-intensive interfaces, dashboards, or analytics tools.A solid understanding of AI/ML product design and human-AI interaction frameworks.A customer-centric mindset with a deep understanding of social media and community team needs.Ability to thrive in ambiguity and adapt quickly in a startup setting.Bonus QualificationsBackground in social media management, community engagement, or influencer marketing.Experience in e-commerce or conversion rate optimization.Previous experience in a startup, particularly within AI or social technology.What We OfferCompetitive salary and equity options.Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision.Flexible vacation and PTO policies.A dynamic and supportive work environment.

About UsAt Nectar Social, we are at the forefront of a transformative shift in how consumers discover, evaluate, and purchase products. The modern consumer is not swayed by conventional marketing techniques; instead, they cultivate relationships with brands through genuine social interactions, seek recommendations from trusted communities, and expect tailored experiences that resonate on a human level rather than a corporate one.We are pioneering an AI-native social operating system designed to facilitate this new era of commerce. Our vision is for every social interaction to strengthen the bond between brands and their audiences while generating authentic value for both parties. Our AI agents operate in real-time, providing actionable insights, linking engagement to revenue, and converting conversations into sales.Founded by former product and engineering leaders from Meta, we collaborate with innovative brands such as OLIPOP, Hatch, K18, and Little Spoon. After achieving product-market fit last year, we are experiencing rapid growth, having expanded our business tenfold in the past year, and we are actively hiring to meet increasing customer demand.Your RoleCreate AI-driven product experiences: You will develop features like conversation inboxes, AI-generated responses, and summaries of social interactions that yield actionable insights.Elevate application quality: Our app caters to thousands of users daily across diverse platforms. Your role will involve refining shared components, establishing consistent design patterns, and optimizing performance, enabling the team to deliver high-quality products more efficiently.Influence technical direction: You will create architectural documents, mentor fellow engineers, and lead discussions on design systems, performance enhancements, and build tools.Our technology stack includes React, TypeScript, Shadcn, Zustand, AWS, Postgres, and ClickHouse. We leverage AI tools thoughtfully to enhance daily operations, utilizing platforms like Cursor, Claude Code, Graphite, v0/Replit, and Granola.

About UsAt Nectar Social, we are at the forefront of a revolutionary transformation in product discovery and purchasing. Today's consumers are shifting away from traditional marketing approaches; they engage with brands through authentic social interactions, seek genuine recommendations from trusted communities, and anticipate personalized experiences that feel human and relatable.We are developing an AI-native social operating system designed to facilitate this new commerce landscape. Our mission is to ensure that every social interaction enriches the bond between brands and their communities while delivering real value for both sides.Founded by former leaders from Meta's product and engineering teams, we have successfully raised $10.6M in funding, co-led by GV (Google Ventures) and True Ventures. Join us as we construct the future of social commerce, where community, conversation, and commerce seamlessly intertwine.The RoleWe are on the lookout for a Senior Product Manager with a focus on AI to lead the development of groundbreaking AI workflows—from generative prompting systems to data-driven decision-making engines. This strategic role, reporting to the CTO, is crucial for our success and demands swift execution as well as a profound understanding of customer needs.In this position, you will:Oversee the complete product development lifecycle: Champion AI functionalities within our social commerce platform, from initial concept to successful deployment.Collaborate closely with engineers: Partner with teams to create generative prompting workflows and enhance AI models.Act as the customer advocate: Conduct user research and feedback sessions, converting insights into actionable product features.Define and monitor success metrics: Set and evaluate KPIs for AI features (e.g., accuracy, conversion rates, automation impact) to drive data-informed enhancements.Develop product strategy: Identify high-impact opportunities in AI-driven social engagement, personalization, and prompting methodologies.Adapt swiftly and operate with agility: Create specifications, test features, iterate quickly, and excel in uncertain environments.Stay ahead of industry trends: Conduct market research and competitive analysis to maintain a competitive edge in AI, generative technologies, and social commerce.

About VoltaiVoltai is at the forefront of technology, developing innovative world models and intelligent agents that learn, evaluate, plan, and interact with the physical world. Our journey begins with creating advanced hardware, focusing on electronic systems and semiconductors, where artificial intelligence transcends human cognitive limitations.About Our TeamOur team, supported by leading Silicon Valley investors and Stanford University, includes former Stanford professors, SAIL researchers, Olympiad medalists, and industry leaders from renowned companies such as Google, AMD, Broadcom, and Marvell. We are proud to have former high-ranking officials, including a US Secretary of Defense and Senior Advisors to multiple US presidents, among us.

About VoltaiVoltai is at the forefront of developing advanced world models and agents that enable learning, evaluation, planning, experimentation, and interaction with the physical environment. Our initial focus is on understanding and building hardware, specifically electronic systems and semiconductors, where artificial intelligence can design and create beyond the limits of human cognition.About the TeamSupported by some of Silicon Valley’s most prestigious investors, Stanford University, and prominent figures including CEOs and Presidents from Google, AMD, Broadcom, and Marvell, our team comprises former Stanford professors, SAIL researchers, Olympiad medalists, CTOs of Synopsys & GlobalFoundries, and advisors who have served under four US presidents.Key ResponsibilitiesLead and manage a team of engineers through agile sprint cycles and critical delivery milestones.Drive sprint planning and execution, from backlog refinement to sprint reviews and retrospectives.Prioritize engineering tasks based on business impact, technical debt, and resource limitations.Transform complex requirements from product and hardware teams into clear, actionable engineering tasks and user stories.Eliminate obstacles and enhance team efficiency through daily stand-ups, one-on-ones, and cross-team collaboration.Collaborate closely with product and design teams to maintain a balance between feature delivery and technical excellence.Monitor team performance through velocity tracking, sprint health assessments, and delivery metrics while fostering continuous improvement.

About Spacial:At Spacial, we are pioneering a transformative approach to the design, engineering, and approval processes in the built environment. With extensive expertise in architecture, engineering, and construction, our team has experienced the industry's challenges—prolonged approvals, persistent revisions, and ambiguous requirements that can compromise even the finest designs.To address these issues, we developed Spacial: an AI-driven platform that automates structural and MEP engineering, converting 2D designs into permit-ready, code-compliant documentation in a matter of days rather than months.This represents more than just optimization; it establishes a new benchmark for the AEC industry, delivering speed, clarity, and control from day one. By uniting architects, engineers, builders, and homeowners on a singular platform, Spacial eradicates obstacles, expedites approvals, and accelerates the realization of innovative ideas.

About UsAt Nectar Social, we are at the forefront of a transformative era in how individuals discover, evaluate, and purchase products. The contemporary consumer seeks more than traditional marketing; they cultivate authentic relationships with brands through genuine social interactions, value community recommendations, and desire personalized experiences that resonate on a human level, rather than a corporate one.We are pioneering an AI-native social operating system designed for this new landscape of commerce. Our mission is to ensure that every social interaction enhances the connection between brands and their communities while delivering real value to both.Founded by former product and engineering leaders from Meta, we have successfully secured $10.6M in funding, co-led by GV (Google Ventures) and True Ventures. Join us as we shape the future of social commerce, where community, conversation, and commerce seamlessly intertwine.The RoleAs the Founding Recruiter at Nectar Social, you will play a pivotal role in developing our entire recruiting function from the ground up. You will have the chance to set the standards for our hiring practices, identify the talent we bring into our team, and create scalable systems that will evolve as we grow.This impactful position reports directly to the Head of Operations and collaborates closely with our founders. Your contributions will define our talent strategy, enhance our employer brand, and recruit top-tier talent that will shape the future of Nectar Social.Your ResponsibilitiesLead the Hiring Strategy: Collaborate with founders and departmental leaders to align business objectives with a comprehensive headcount plan, role specifications, and hiring priorities.Develop a Scalable Recruiting Framework: Design and implement structured interview processes and decision-making protocols that consistently elevate our talent standards. Utilize data-driven metrics to monitor pipeline health, time-to-hire, and quality of hires.Attract and Secure Top Talent: Manage full-cycle recruitment across engineering, product, go-to-market, and operations. You should have a proven track record of developing strong pipelines and successfully closing exceptional candidates.Innovative Sourcing Techniques: Experiment with various sourcing channels (outbound, community engagements, events, referrals, content) and leverage data to identify the most effective strategies. Maintain a robust and dynamic pipeline for key roles.Enhance the Candidate Experience: Ensure a superior candidate journey from initial contact through to offer acceptance and onboarding.

About the RoleTensec is seeking a talented Software Engineer to spearhead the development and architecture of our innovative banking core platform. Navigating the complexities of cross-border transactions and compliance presents unique challenges, and we believe that intelligent infrastructure and thoughtful design can transform this landscape. Here are some of the compelling challenges you can help us address:Reimagine Compliance and Operations: Automate tedious manual processes to significantly enhance team productivity.Develop AI-Powered Financial Applications: Create sophisticated systems that improve transaction processing, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance across diverse jurisdictions.Empower SMB Financial Access: Equip smaller businesses with financial tools that were previously exclusive to larger institutions, leveraging stablecoins to facilitate global market access and liquidity.Simplify Global Workflows: Design user-centric experiences that provide clarity in payments across various countries and currencies.Establish Robust Technical Foundations: Support a variety of payment rails globally, reconcile currencies and institutions, while ensuring security on an international scale.Enhance Team Performance: Introduce innovative technologies and practices that elevate our collaborative development and operational processes.Location: Palo Alto, CA (Hybrid)Our positions in hub locations are hybrid, requiring in-office attendance on core working days of Tuesday and Wednesday. We offer flexible work arrangements based on proximity to our hubs. Tensec values face-to-face connections, thus we prioritize candidates who can work in-person.

About VoltaiVoltai is at the forefront of developing sophisticated models and agents that enable learning, evaluation, planning, experimentation, and interaction with the physical world. Our initial focus is on understanding and constructing hardware, including electronic systems and semiconductors where artificial intelligence can surpass human cognitive capabilities.About the TeamSupported by premier Silicon Valley investors, Stanford University, and industry leaders such as CEOs and Presidents from Google, AMD, Broadcom, and Marvell, our team comprises former Stanford professors, SAIL researchers, Olympiad medalists, and top executives from Synopsys, GlobalFoundries, and Cadence, alongside distinguished former government officials.About this RoleAs a Firmware Engineer, you will be responsible for designing and implementing firmware that connects AI-driven hardware with physical devices. Your work will encompass system bring-up, control, and diagnostics, facilitating adaptive and self-optimizing behavior in real-time systems. Collaborate with electrical, systems, and verification engineers to create embedded software that powers intelligent machines.

Join subsense as a DevOps Engineer and be part of a team that is driving innovation in cloud technologies. In this role, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, implement, and maintain scalable and reliable infrastructure. Your expertise will help us streamline our development processes and enhance our deployment strategies.

Harmony is an innovative blockchain platform that leverages data sharding and rapid transaction finality. Our on-chain tokens facilitate micro-payments for social games and community AI applications, while smart contracts enhance market pricing and zero-knowledge proofs ensure data privacy.At Harmony, we are committed to scaling trust and fostering a radically equitable economy. Our decentralized, scalable, and secure platform allows for seamless transactions without the need for trusted intermediaries. Join Us in Building the FutureAs a Day-1 startup, we recognize that while blockchain technology is the future of the global economy, its current adoption is merely at 1%. This presents you, as a trailblazer and developer, with an unparalleled opportunity to make a 10X impact. Harmony thrives on community involvement, showcasing a network filled with diverse applications and a team driven by ambitious goals. The future is bright, and we want you to be part of it!For our engineering roles, we seek individuals with a profound understanding of data structures and systems. You are a creator of tools, a hacker of systems, and a mathematician at heart. Your daily tasks may include prototyping groundbreaking research papers, debugging hexadecimals, or collaborating asynchronously with a diverse team of engineers. If you thrive in chaotic environments, this is the place for you!For our creative roles, we value your passion for user experience. You embody the roles of product designer, brand strategist, and industry analyst. Your workday might include analyzing user feedback through metrics, crafting detailed narratives on product features, or coordinating tasks for product launches to engage millions. If building a vibrant community is your lifelong ambition, take the leap with us! Explore Our Vision: Social A(G)I and Shard 1.

About UsAt Nectar Social, we are at the forefront of a transformative shift in consumer behavior, where traditional marketing is giving way to genuine connections formed through social interactions. Our mission is to create an AI-driven social operating system that fosters meaningful relationships between brands and their communities, delivering authentic value on both sides.Founded by former leaders from Meta, we have successfully secured over $30M in funding from esteemed investors such as GV and True Ventures. Collaborating with top brands like Oura Health, Caraway, e.l.f. Cosmetics, and Kosas, we are shaping the future of social commerce by merging community engagement, conversation, and commerce.The RoleAs the Director of Talent Acquisition at Nectar Social, you will spearhead our comprehensive recruitment strategy during an exciting growth phase, scaling our team from 40 to over 100 by year-end. This dynamic player-coach role involves not only securing pivotal senior talent but also establishing the systems and strategies necessary for sustainable, world-class hiring.Reporting directly to the Head of Operations and working closely with the founders, you will oversee hiring efficiency, pipeline quality, and the overall candidate experience across all departments. You will define excellence in recruitment at Nectar and build the engine to achieve it.Your ResponsibilitiesManage the complete recruiting lifecycle for engineering, product, design, go-to-market, and operations, from planning to offer acceptance.Personally identify, engage, and secure senior and leadership hires while developing a recruiting team to accommodate increasing demand.Collaborate with founders and hiring managers to align business goals with hiring strategies, ensuring prioritized role fulfillment.Create and implement scalable recruitment processes, including structured interview methodologies, scorecards, pipeline analytics, and a candidate experience that reflects our brand ethos.Lead and cultivate a high-performing recruitment team, hiring additional recruiters and coordinators as needed.Enhance Nectar Social’s employer branding and talent positioning to attract top-tier professionals in AI, social commerce, and SaaS.Leverage data-driven insights to refine our recruiting practices and improve overall performance.

Join clera as a Founding Engineer and be part of a pioneering team that is set to revolutionize the industry. As a core member of our startup, you will play a crucial role in shaping our technology stack and driving product development from the ground up. This is an exceptional opportunity for an innovative and motivated engineer who thrives in a dynamic environment.