Forward Deployed Software Engineer, Tactical Edge

About the Role

This is a customer-facing engineering role embedded on small, cross-functional teams that operate like a startup for a specific government or defense customer. You will determine which subset of data integration and analytics technologies to deploy, then make them work in some of the most demanding environments imaginable: air-gapped, on-premises, tactical edge hardware as compact as a single server blade. The work requires extreme technical breadth, high independence, and the grit to operate without a safety net.

What You'll Do

• Deploy and operate containerized software platforms in air-gapped, on-prem, and tactical edge environments with tight resource constraints.
• Provide operational support including network and systems debugging, monitoring and alerting, configuration management, load balancing, container orchestration, and upgrades.
• Own end-to-end execution of high-stakes projects with minimal supervision.
• Work directly with customers, both technical and non-technical, to discuss architecture and ensure successful outcomes.
• Troubleshoot issues for forward-deployed customers, ensuring fast resolution and minimal operational impact.
• Travel to customer sites approximately 25 to 75 percent of the time.
• Maintain an active US security clearance throughout the role.

What We're Looking For

• Active US Secret or Top Secret security clearance (required).
• Hands-on experience physically integrating software into hardware systems such as military vehicles, ships, labs, or similar on-prem and edge environments.
• Strong experience deploying and managing containerized applications with Kubernetes (OpenShift, Rancher, or similar).
• Deep Linux systems knowledge: administration, networking, and on-prem infrastructure.
• Proficiency in one or more of: Python, Java, Bash, Go, or JavaScript.
• Background at a defense contractor, system integrator, or defense technology company.
• CS degree or equivalent foundational computer science knowledge.
• Familiarity with forward-deployed software platforms or data analytics tools used in defense or intelligence contexts is a plus.
• No visa sponsorship available; must be authorized to work in the US.

Compensation & Benefits

Base salary range: $135,000 to $200,000 USD annually. No visa sponsorship is available for this role.

Location

On-site in the Washington, DC metro area, four days per week. Candidates must be based in or willing to relocate to the DC metro area. The role involves significant travel (25 to 75 percent) to customer locations.