Forward Deployed / Implementation Engineer 3 (Backend)

Role & ResponsibilitiesOwn the Client’s Outcome:Embed with enterprise customers – on-site and remotely – to understand their supply chain operations, data estate, and what success actually looks like for their business.Scope and design technical solutions for messy, real-world logistics problems – with a clear line to measurable impact: cost per delivery, SLA performance, empty kilometres.Own the full deployment lifecycle: architecture through go-live through steady-state. You’re accountable for the outcome, not just the code.Build and Ship:Design, build, and maintain backend services in Node.js or Python that power routing, planning, and execution at enterprise scale.Build and own the integrations connecting Locus to client ERPs, TMS, WMS, and OMS platforms – these integrations are often the riskiest part of a deployment.Write production code that runs under real load. If it isn’t in production, it hasn’t shipped.Be the Technical Interface with the Client:Run architecture reviews, lead integration workshops, and represent Locus in executive steering meetings. You need to be credible at every level of the client organisation.Bring field learnings back into the product and platform teams. Some of Locus’s best features started as a client workaround.Push back when a client request would compromise platform integrity – and propose a better alternative.Show Up On-Site:Travel to client sites – domestic and international, up to ~30% of the time – for kick-offs, integration sprints, go-lives, and post-live reviews.Build the kind of relationship where the client’s ops lead calls you directly when something goes wrong at 2am, not a support ticket.Be comfortable wherever the work is: a warehouse floor, a logistics control tower, a C-suite boardroom.Make the Next Deployment Easier:Document architecture decisions, integration patterns, and deployment playbooks – every engagement should make the next one faster.Work closely with Product, Customer Success, and Platform Engineering. Share what you’re seeing in the field; don’t wait to be asked.Mentor junior FDEs and raise the technical bar across the team.Ideal CandidateStrong Forward Deployed / Field EngineerMandatory (Experience 1): Must have 5+ years of backend engineering experience with hands-on coding in Node.js or Python, building production-grade systemsMandatory (Experience 2): Must have minimum 2+ years in client-facing / deployment-heavy roles, where they worked directly with enterprise customersMandatory (Experience 3): Must have experience shipping and owning production systems end-to-end: From design → build → deployment → post-production supportMandatory (Tech Skills 1 - Backend & Systems): Strong in: Node.js or Python (must-have), Building scalable backend servicesMandatory (Tech Skills 2 - Integrations): Must have experience with: Enterprise integrations (APIs, third-party systems), Systems like ERP / TMS / WMS / OMSMandatory (Tech Skills 3 - Data & Messaging): Hands-on with: Relational + NoSQL databases, Event streaming / queues (Kafka / RabbitMQ or similar)Mandatory (Tech Skills 4 - Cloud & Deployment): Experience with: Cloud platforms (AWS / GCP / Azure), Docker + Kubernetes (or containerised deployments)Mandatory (Company): Top Product companies / Startups / SaaS / platform companies