Forward Deployed Engineer
About The Position
A venture-backed robotics company building autonomous ground vehicle systems for defense customers. Their platforms combine an autonomy stack, operator-control software, and integrated mission payloads. Programs are rapidly transitioning from experimental phases into real-world deployment, placing this role at the center of that shift. Forward Deployed Engineers are the company’s tip of the spear in the field. You will act as a technical operator, ensuring systems function in real-world conditions that often go beyond documented scenarios. This role is closer to a Palantir-style FDE than a traditional field service representative. You are not just executing checklists—you are a generalist engineer working hands-on in dynamic environments. You will operate at the intersection of engineering and end users, supporting customers who are eager to adopt new capabilities as soon as they are ready.
Requirements
- Strong technical foundation across both hardware and software systems
- Comfortable with hands-on vehicle maintenance and repair
- Experience working with CLI, log analysis, networking, and communications troubleshooting
- Ability to debug software deployments without needing to write production code
- Willingness to travel extensively (~75%), including extended stays in remote or challenging environments
- Comfort working in physically demanding conditions (“Type 2 fun”)
- Strong mission orientation and commitment to end users
- Bias toward action and problem-solving in ambiguous environments
Nice To Haves
- Experience as a Forward Deployed Engineer at a software-forward defense or dual-use company
- Experience within government innovation organizations (e.g., DEVCOM, DIU, service-level innovation offices)
- Background as a Field Service Representative (FSR) with added software/networking expertise
- Military experience (valued but not required)
Responsibilities
- Deploy integrated robotic ground systems to test sites, training centers, and forward operating locations
- Troubleshoot across the full stack: hardware, autonomy software, networking, communications, and operator-control systems
- Pull logs via command line, reproduce issues, and provide clear diagnostics to engineering teams
- Proactively identify and resolve issues before they impact the customer
- Document solutions to prevent recurrence
- Train and support customer operators on new capabilities
- Build strong relationships with field units and earn their trust
Benefits
- Equity participation for all employees
- Performance bonuses primarily awarded as equity
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
