Forward Deployed Engineer

Manifold Industries • Arlington, VA

6d

About The Position

Manifold is seeking a Forward Deployed Engineer to work directly with customers, understand their operational challenges, and build software to address them. The engineer owns the process from problem discovery through implementation, embedding alongside users to understand workflows, translate ambiguous requirements into technical solutions, and rapidly build and iterate on customer-facing applications. The role uses Manifold’s existing platform capabilities while identifying opportunities to extend the core product.

This is an early, high-ownership role working closely with engineering, product, and business development teams. The engineer delivers customer-facing software, supports technical customer engagements, and helps shape the future of Manifold’s platform.

Requirements

• B.S. in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• At least 2 years of professional software engineering experience.
• Strong software engineering fundamentals, including testing, version control, debugging, and API development.
• Proficiency in Python, TypeScript/JavaScript, or similar programming languages.
• Experience building full-stack web applications using modern frontend and backend frameworks.
• Experience with relational databases, REST APIs, and external data integrations.
• Ability to rapidly prototype, implement, and iterate on software applications with minimal oversight.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to translate ambiguous requirements into technical solutions.
• Excellent communication skills, including working directly with customers and explaining technical concepts to nontechnical stakeholders.
• Willingness to work directly alongside customers regularly, including travel or on-site engagements as needed.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance.
• Must be U.S.-based and a U.S. citizen.

Nice To Haves

• Active TS/SCI security clearance.
• Experience as a Forward Deployed Engineer, Software Engineer, Solutions Engineer, or in a comparable customer-facing technical role.
• Experience independently delivering software solutions from initial discovery through deployment.
• Experience with modern frontend frameworks such as React and Next.js.
• Experience building backend services using Python, FastAPI, or similar frameworks.
• Experience with data-intensive applications, data visualization, knowledge graphs, or complex analytical workflows.
• Experience integrating APIs, databases, and external data sources into customer-facing applications.
• Familiarity with cloud infrastructure, Docker, and modern software deployment workflows.
• Experience collaborating with product and engineering teams to turn customer-specific solutions into reusable capabilities.
• Experience working at an early-stage startup or in a fast-paced engineering environment.
• Experience working directly with government, defense, or intelligence customers.
• Familiarity with national security, geopolitical analysis, intelligence workflows, or defense industrial systems.
• Experience building applications involving AI/ML, LLMs, or agentic workflows.
• Experience developing interactive dashboards, geospatial applications, or complex data visualizations.
• Experience supporting technical demonstrations, customer pilots, or pre-sales engagements.
• Experience contributing to a core software platform while delivering customer-specific implementations.

Responsibilities

• Embed directly with customers to understand operational challenges and workflows, translate ambiguous requirements into technical solutions, and build and iterate on software.
• Develop customer-facing applications, including custom interfaces, workflows, and integrations, using Manifold’s platform and extending it as needed.
• Collaborate with product and engineering to identify reusable capabilities, improve the platform, and inform the product roadmap with lessons from customer engagements.
• Partner with business development on demonstrations, technical discovery, and solution scoping, ensuring proposed capabilities align with the broader product strategy.
• Independently scope, prioritize, and deliver customer-facing capabilities while balancing rapid iteration with engineering quality and long-term maintainability.

Benefits

• 401(k) with matching.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents.
• Unlimited PTO.
• Health and wellness stipend.
• Lunch stipend three times per week and dinner stipend after 8 p.m.
• Company-wide break during the last two weeks of the year.
• Supportive leave of absence, including time off for military service, medical events, and parental leave.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level