Forward Deployed Engineer (Offense)

About Prelude

Prelude Security is building the category leader in Runtime Memory Protection — an endpoint product that detects and blocks in-memory execution, memory zero-day exploitation, and ransomware execution entirely from user mode.

We are a small team of security researchers and software developers working to reinvent the way we protect endpoints in a world where threats are complex, emergent, and accelerating. Backed by Sequoia Capital, Insight Partners, and other leading investors, we are building an advanced security solution to detect in-memory attacks on endpoints, which is written in Rust and runs exclusively in user mode. It leverages advances in modern edge computing architecture, hardware-level telemetry, and a graph-based understanding of the Windows operating system to catch adversaries the moment that they compromise an endpoint. Rather than endlessly attempting to predict what an adversary might do, trapping adversaries at this universal and unavoidable chokepoint that lies at the center of their operations allows us to focus all of our efforts on what they must do, regardless of their sophistication or how much creativity (or AI) they apply to their tactics.

Our goal is simple: to detect out-of-context execution in a way that remains entirely outside the adversary’s control. Out-of-context execution occurs when an attacker coerces an application to run code paths that were not intended by the original application. This includes in-memory execution techniques such as local and remote injection, exploitation that results in the execution of dynamic code, and fileless malware

Role

Prelude is seeking a highly technical Forward Deployed Engineer to be the bridge between our technology and the customers we protect. This role is ideal for someone who deeply understands the challenges of modern defense and enjoys researching and developing advanced capabilities. In this role, you will work directly with our customers to understand their most complex security challenges and design, develop, and deploy bespoke solutions using Prelude's endpoint protection platform. You will be a technical subject matter expert in security, a creative problem-solver, and a trusted resource who remains deeply tied to the world of modern adversary tradecraft, ensuring our customers successfully leverage our technology to defend against sophisticated threats.

Given the confidential nature of our work, we require an NDA to be signed after an introductory call if there is mutual interest in moving forward.

Responsibilities

• Partner directly with customers to understand their unique security environments, requirements, and challenges

• Design and implement custom integrations, workflows, and configurations of the Prelude platform to solve specific customer problems

• Stay abreast of advancements in modern adversary tradecraft, particularly those that target endpoints

• Design and implement custom tooling, extensions, and additions to the Prelude platform to solve specific customer problems

• Develop and maintain code to extend platform capabilities and address customer needs, working at the intersection of adversary tradecraft, security operations, and software engineering

• Gather customer feedback and field insights to inform product development and engineering priorities

• Collaborate with our research and development teams to translate bespoke customer capabilities into platform features

• Support the broader team in team-driven initiatives, sharing your frontline experience to enhance our collective understanding of customer challenges

Skills and Experience

• Prior experience in red teaming, incident response, or security operations

• Strong understanding of operating system internals, ideally Windows and macOS

• Ability to analyze complex problems, often starting from open-ended questions, and develop effective technical solutions.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Demonstrable software design and engineering experience in a modern tech stack

• An interest in working in a cybersecurity company within a research-focused organization.

Nice to Haves

• Prior agent and systems-level development experience.

• Experience in a customer-facing engineering role, such as solutions engineering, sales engineering, or consulting.

• Experience working in a startup environment.

• Knowledge of modern EDRs/XDRs and their internal workings.

• Experience with cloud service development, ideally using AWS.

Working at Prelude

Prelude is a fully remote team across the US & Canada, built on trust, autonomy, and excellence. We empower our team to take ownership, move with purpose, and continuously improve. Our culture values top performers who align with our mission and embrace high standards. We offer generous healthcare, flexible PTO, and home-office support, ensuring our team has the freedom and resources to thrive. While we move fast, we prioritize quality, collaboration, and remain committed to building impactful security solutions with precision.