Forward Deployed Software Engineer

Location: Northern Virginia (Reston, Herndon, Chantilly, McLean, or Langley)Compensation: $160 to $200 per hour, Corp-to-Corp

Overview

This role sits at the intersection of software engineering, data, and live operations inside high-consequence national security environments. The engineer works directly with mission users to understand hard operational problems, design technical solutions, and carry them from initial concept through deployment and adoption.

The position is deliberately broad. Rather than owning a narrow slice of a product, the engineer owns the full problem: discovery, architecture, hands-on implementation, integration with existing systems, and the working relationship with the people who depend on the result. Field insight flows back to the core engineering team and shapes what gets built next.

The company operates in stealth and cannot be identified at this stage. What can be said is that the work involves technical environments very few engineers ever gain access to, and problems where the outcome matters in the real world.

What You'll Do

• Translate ambiguous operational problems into practical, deployable technical solutions
• Design workflows, connect disparate systems, and work hands-on with software and data pipelines
• Partner directly with technical and operational stakeholders to define requirements and deliver results
• Own challenges end-to-end, from discovery through implementation and user adoption
• Present technical solutions to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Bring field observations back to engineering to influence product direction and future capabilities

What We're Looking For

• Active TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph (required, no exceptions)
• Ability to work Corp-to-Corp (required)
• Strong technical background in software engineering, solutions engineering, data engineering, or a closely related discipline
• Track record of designing and delivering technical solutions for complex customer problems
• Working proficiency in Python, SQL, scripting, and data systems, or comparable technologies
• Comfort operating with ambiguity and taking ownership without a defined playbook
• Strong communication skills, including presenting directly to customers
• Willingness to travel up to 50%

Preferred

• Prior forward deployed, field engineering, or embedded customer engineering experience
• Experience integrating software and data systems within classified or restricted environments
• Background bridging engineering teams and operational end users

Compensation

$160 to $200/hr Corp-to-Corp Contracting Rate