Poka Labs

The modern operating system for chemical manufacturing.

Founding Forward Deployed Engineer

$130K - $180K1.00% - 3.00%San Francisco, CA, US
Job type
Full-time
Role
Engineering, Full stack
Experience
Any (new grads ok)
Visa
US citizen/visa only
Skills
React, TypeScript, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
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Malay Shah
Malay Shah
Founder

About the role

The Opportunity

The 6 trillion dollar chemicals industry runs the physical economy but still relies on spreadsheets and legacy systems. It is responsible for 25 percent of global emissions and remains one of the least digitized sectors. AI can transform how this sector operates.

We are building the intelligence layer for the process industries. Our software understands workflows, reasons over data, and acts inside real operations from quote to shipment. We are already deployed in major manufacturers and distributors, including Fortune 100 companies. We are now hiring founding forward deployed engineers to help scale and own these agentic systems.

Role: Founding Forward Deployed Engineer

You will work directly with customers, understand real processes from the ground up, and translate them into production grade AI systems. This is a zero to one role with significant autonomy and exposure.

In your first 90 days, you may:

  • Spend time inside plants and offices to observe workflows end to end.
  • Build an agent that handles quoting, pricing, inventory, procurement, or scheduling in live environments.
  • Integrate with ERPs, CRMs, lab systems, and legacy industrial software.
  • Ship simple, high leverage product experiences based on field insights.

What You Will Work On

  • End to end product features informed by direct customer context.
  • Infrastructure and deployment that keep agents reliable in operational settings.
  • Field discovery that exposes bottlenecks, edge cases, and automation gaps.
  • Evaluation and rollout of new AI capabilities to real users.

What We Look For

  • Strong full stack ability with comfort owning workflow from prototype to production.
  • High initiative and willingness to work directly with customers.
  • Clear communication with technical and non technical stakeholders.
  • Based in San Francisco or willing to relocate. We work in person.

Our stack includes modern LLMs, TypeScript and React, and AWS. Curiosity and velocity matter more than specific tools.

What You Get

  • Ownership of production systems used inside global manufacturing.
  • A role that blends engineering, product, and field execution.
  • Influence over culture and rituals. Include one absurd idea in your application.
  • Direct collaboration with founders who understand the industry deeply.

We are building the intelligence layer of modern manufacturing and would love to talk if this resonates.

About the interview

  1. 2x intro calls
  2. Technical Take Home
  3. Paid Worktrial
  4. Offer

About Poka Labs

Poka Labs
Founded:2023
Batch:S24
Team Size:3
Status:
Active
Location:San Francisco
Founders
Andrew Bass
Andrew Bass
Founder
Malay Shah
Malay Shah
Founder