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webAI is building a distributed AI platform that brings computation to the edge, enabling secure, private deployment of large-scale AI models on consumer hardware without centralizing data or intellectual property. The company focuses on edge computing and distributed systems for government and enterprise customers.
As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you will design and implement advanced peer-to-peer networking and synchronization systems that enable reliable AI operations across heterogeneous environments—from edge devices to air-gapped government systems. You'll work primarily in Rust (training provided if needed) on backend systems that prioritize performance, reliability, and data privacy in resource-constrained and intermittently connected conditions.
Key responsibilities include:
- Design and implement robust data synchronization frameworks using content-addressable storage, Merkle trees, and CRDTs
- Architect peer-to-peer networking systems with focus on trustless, decentralized protocols (similar to IPFS and torrents rather than blockchain)
- Lead performance tuning, debugging, and optimization under resource constraints and poor connectivity
- Ensure security-first design through threat modeling, secure key management, and cryptographic integration
- Collaborate with MLOps, Infrastructure, and Security teams to deploy AI components in restricted or air-gapped systems
- Contribute to architectural design discussions and documentation for internal and external stakeholders
- Maintain rigorous testing, observability, and validation practices for compliance readiness
- Work with distributed hash tables, content identifiers, gossip protocols, DAGs, overlay networks, and NAT traversal
- Travel 25–50% to other webAI offices and government field/test sites across the country
The role is full-time employment (not project-contingent) with a team that values truth, ownership, tenacity, and humility.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- 5–10+ years of experience with backend systems languages (C++, C, Go, Rust) depending on level
- Experience with peer-to-peer or decentralized networking frameworks
- Active US Security Clearance (required)
