ABOUT RETELL AI
Retell AI is using the first principles to reimagine the call center with cutting edge voice AI.
We believe voice is still the most natural way humans communicate, yet it has been trapped in outdated call centers for decades. Our mission is to bring intelligence, empathy, and speed to every phone conversation between businesses and their customers.
Since launching 18 months ago, thousands of companies now utilize Retell’s AI voice agents to handle sales, support, and logistics calls that once required large teams of human agents. Backed by Y Combinator, Altman Capital, and other leading investors, we have scaled to $30M ARR with a team of 20 people, up from $5M at the start of 2025.
Now, we’re scaling fast, and we’re looking for bold, ambitious people to help us build the gold standard for voice automation. If you want to work on deeply technical challenges, move fast, and make an outsized impact at one of the fastest-growing Voice AI startups in the world, you’ll love it here.
Let’s build the future of voice automation together.
We’re a top 50 AI app in a16z list: https://tinyurl.com/5853dt2x
We're also one of the top ranking startups on: https://leanaileaderboard.com/
ABOUT THE ROLE
As a Founding Senior Forward Deployed Engineer, you’ll deliver Retell’s voice AI solutions to enterprise clients, embedding with their teams to build production-ready systems. You’ll bridge technical and non-technical stakeholders with exceptional communication, driving adoption and shaping our platform through customer insights.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead end-to-end delivery of projects using Retell's voice agent platform - from prototyping to production, communicating progress and risks clearly.
Become go-to experts on building voice AI solutions, especially LLM prompting tips & tricks.
Build full-stack integrations (Python, JavaScript) with enterprise tools (e.g. CRMs, ERPs, scheduling tools)
Partner with sales to engage clients to gather requirements, prototype demos, and present system designs.
Scope projects, resolve blockers, and align teams with concise updates.
Codify reusable patterns into tools or platform components.
Translate field feedback into actionable product and GTM recommendations.
YOU MIGHT THRIVE IF
Have 2+ years in customer-facing technical roles (e.g., Solutions Engineer, Technical PM, Customer Success/Support engineer, Ex-founder).
Excel at communication & explaining complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
Have delivered systems in fast-paced, ambiguous settings.
Write production-grade code (Python, JavaScript, or similar).
Understand LLM-powered systems and their impact on user experience.
Proactively manage risks and maintain momentum under pressure.
JOB DETAILS
Job Type: Full-time, 70 hr/week (50 hr/week onsite with flexible hours + 20 hr/week work from home)
Cash: 215k - 290k
Equity: 0.15 - 0.35%
Location: Redwood City, CA, US
US Visas: Retell AI is open to sponsoring work authorization for qualified candidates, including H1B/H-1B, TN, L-1, E-3, F-1 (OPT/CPT), and O-1 visas.
OTHER BENEFITS
100% coverage for medical, dental, and vision insurance
$70/day DoorDash credit for unlimited breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
$200/month wellness reimbursement (gym, fitness classes, etc.)
$300/month commuter reimbursement (gas, Caltrain, etc.)
$75/month phone bill reimbursement
$50/month internet reimbursement
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY
Best Offer Upfront: Choose from three cash-equity balance options; no negotiation needed.
Top 1% Talent: Above-market pay (top 5 percentile) to attract exceptional builders.
High Ownership: Small teams, >$1M revenue/employee, and significant equity.
Performance-Based: Offers tied to interview performance, not experience or past salaries.
Interview Process
Online Assessment (30 min): 2 CoderPad coding questions on practical problem-solving (7 days to complete).
Technical Phone Interview (30 min): Live coding on CoderPad, explaining your approach.
Customer-Focused Interview (30 min): Virtual discussion on solving a customer scenario.
Onsite/Virtual Interviews (2–3 hrs): Hosted in our office if located in the Bay Area or virtual, with three rounds:
Communication: Persuade and align stakeholders.
Architecture Case: Design a production-ready system.
Problem-Solving: Build a full-stack solution under constraints in any basic environment setup like python, java, node.js, etc.
Learn More
Retell AI - API That Turns Your LLM Into A Human-Like Voice Agent
Retell AI Basics: Everything You Need to Start Building Voice Agents
Join Retell AI to shape the future of voice automation with your technical expertise and communication skills.