Forward Deployed Engineer
Job Description
Forward Deployed Engineer
Industry: Defense robotics / autonomous ground systems
Location: Maryland HQ preferred. Also open to Ketchum (ID), Palo Alto (CA), Orlando (FL), West Virginia, and Boston
Compensation: $135,000–$165,000 base + equity
Travel: ~75% (expected to decrease as the team scales)
About the Client
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.
About the Role
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.
Deployment Locations
Stateside: Fort Drum, Fort Bragg, Fort Polk, NTC / Fort Irwin, 29 Palms, Camp Lejeune, White Sands, Aberdeen, Grayling (MI), and others
International: Eastern Europe, supporting Ukrainian forces with system upgrades, repairs, and maintenance (behind the front lines)
Location & Work Setup
Maryland HQ is the preferred location and serves as the engineering hub. Other offices include Ketchum (ID), Palo Alto (CA), Orlando (FL), and West Virginia, with a Boston office opening soon.
Strong remote candidates will be considered.
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
Requirements
Must-Haves
- 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)
Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary: $135,000–$165,000
- Equity participation for all employees
- Performance bonuses primarily awarded as equity
Why This Role
What Success Looks Like (6 Months)
- Deep understanding of the system, mission, and user
- Trusted by customers in the field
- Proactively identifying and resolving issues
- Delivering clear feedback to engineering that improves future releases
Hiring Process
- Recruiter screen
- 30–45 minute phone interview with the hiring team
- On-site interview at Maryland HQ (or virtual panel if needed)
- Final roundtable decision
Typical process includes one to two phone screens before the final stage.