ABOUT THE ROLE
Branded Messaging is First Orion's A2P RCS messaging platform team. We're hiring a Forward Deployed Engineer to own the technical thread end-to-end — from pre-sales support through production deployment. Pre-sales technical support runs through this function: you'll run discovery, demos, and proofs-of-concept alongside First Orion's shared commercial sellers, then embed with the customer to write integration code, build reference implementations, and ship branded messaging into production. It's a hands-on engineering role at the customer edge, where you're measured on both deals won and working deployments — not slideware.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Own the technical thread across the full deal lifecycle — from pre-sales discovery and demos through production go-live and expansion — as the single Forward Deployed Engineer on the account
Run pre-sales technical support alongside First Orion's shared commercial Sales Executives: deep-dive discovery, tailored product demos, live brand console walkthroughs, and end-to-end message rendering across devices
Lead proof-of-concept engagements end-to-end — technical setup, success criteria, measurement, and sign-off — and author technical proposals, reference architectures, and RFP / security questionnaire responses
Embed with enterprise customers post-sale as the technical owner of their Branded Messaging deployment, writing integration code and reference implementations against the aggregator API, brand verification flows, and sender onboarding
Map customer messaging use cases to RCS capabilities (rich cards, carousels, suggested replies, verified sender) and stand up end-to-end proofs in the customer's own stack
Debug live integration issues across webhooks, message rendering, and device families, partnering with Engineering on platform-level fixes
Build reusable accelerators — sample apps, SDK snippets, deployment scripts, and runbooks — that shorten time-to-launch and de-risk the next deal
Feed prioritized field gaps back to Product and Engineering with working repros and clear customer evidence
Coach commercial Sales Executives and customer teams on Branded Messaging fundamentals so they can run early-stage qualification independently
YOU'LL LIKELY HAVE
4+ years in a hands-on forward deployed engineer, solutions / sales engineering, implementation, or integration engineering role in B2B SaaS — spanning customer-facing pre-sales and post-sale delivery, ideally in CPaaS, communications platform, or marketing technology
Strong coding ability in at least one mainstream language (Python, TypeScript/Node, Go, Java, or similar) — you build and debug real integrations, not just diagrams
Deep comfort with REST APIs end-to-end: reading docs, debugging webhook flows, writing example payloads, and shipping working client code
Strong demo and discovery skills — able to run a live technical demo and scope requirements fluidly with both technical buyers (eng/IT) and business buyers (marketing, CX, fraud)
Working knowledge of A2P messaging (SMS, MMS, or RCS); direct RCS experience is a strong plus
Customer-facing presence — able to earn trust on-site and carry the relationship from first technical call through production
Familiarity with one or more aggregator platforms (Twilio, Sinch, Infobip, Bandwidth) and integrating against them in production
Comfortable operating in a small, fast-moving dedicated team inside a larger parent commercial org, owning ambiguous problems end-to-end
BONUS POINTS FOR
Hands-on familiarity with RCS verification and the agent lifecycle (intent to launch, verification, scaling)
Experience building customer-facing integrations or deploying software inside the customer's environment
Working knowledge of TCPA, CTIA, or other messaging compliance frameworks
Prior in-seat experience at a messaging API, CPaaS, or RCS-adjacent company
Experience with brand identity / verified caller / trusted communications products (an adjacent First Orion domain)
Company Benefits:
Balancing the work-life flow is key to health and happiness! That is why we offer one of the most competitive packages in our industry with open PTO, company paid holidays, Flex Fridays and flexible work arrangements. We strongly value the health and wellness of our teammates and through our state-of-the-art fitness center we’re helping our teammates reach their wellness goals while at work. Add on generous health and dental/vision options, retirement plans, learning and development programs, career path frameworks, tuition reimbursement, company options and bonus potential you have many ways to take advantage of a comprehensive benefits package that means the most to you!
Learn More About First Orion:
First Orion helps businesses generate more revenue, increase efficiency, and improve the customer experience by empowering them to brand their phone calls with their name, logo and reason for calling. We are the market leader in branded communications technology, and a trusted partner to Fortune 500 companies and the largest U.S. mobile carriers.
First Orion has been voted a Great Place to Work with top rankings in every category.
Learn more about what our employees have to say on our First Orion Glassdoor page and watch our People First Diversity Statement/Video.
First Orion Culture Cornerstones are at the core of everything we do here.
Disclosure:
First Orion is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Activities, duties, and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice, based on the changing needs of our business.
This position is not eligible for employment-based immigration visa/status sponsorship. Employees are required to demonstrate proper work authorization as required by I-9 compliance.
First Orion is interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. First Orion’s immigration sponsorship policy is applied in a nondiscriminatory fashion regardless of race, gender, ethnic origin, or any other classification protected by law.
Skills Required
- 4+ years in forward deployed engineering, solutions/sales engineering, implementation, or integration engineering in B2B SaaS (CPaaS/communications preferred)
- Proficiency in at least one mainstream language (Python, TypeScript/Node, Go, Java)
- Deep comfort with REST APIs end-to-end and debugging webhook flows
- Strong pre-sales demo, discovery, and technical scoping skills with technical and business buyers
- Working knowledge of A2P messaging (SMS, MMS, RCS)
- Direct RCS experience
- Customer-facing presence; able to embed on-site and carry relationships from technical call through production
- Familiarity integrating with aggregator platforms (Twilio, Sinch, Infobip, Bandwidth)
- Experience building integration code, reference implementations, SDK snippets, deployment scripts, and runbooks
- Authorized to work in the United States; employer does not sponsor employment-based visas
- Working knowledge of messaging compliance frameworks (TCPA, CTIA)
What We Do
First Orion is a global provider of digital call experiences for the world's leading carriers, enterprises, and developers. The First Orion Communications Protection services provide scam, fraud, and spoof defense solutions to hundreds of millions of consumers. The company's Branded Calling solutions, INFORM® and ENGAGE®, allow businesses to customize their calls with a name, logo, and short message. Our solutions are STIR/SHAKEN-capable to deliver RCD and other technologies in the future. First Orion powers enhanced branded communication experiences for T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Boost Mobile, Sky, AT&T, along with Fortune 500 brands, PrivacyStar®, and other mobile apps. First established in 2008, First Orion is headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas, with offices in Seattle, London, Dubai, and Sao Paulo, and over 350 people employed globally. Make the connection at www.firstorion.com, @FirstOrionCorp, or the First Orion Blog.
