Forward Deployed Software Engineer, Tactical Edge
Job Summary
This customer-facing engineering role embeds you within small, agile teams to deploy technology solutions that drive mission success for defense and tactical customers. You will adapt and optimize software products for constrained, on-prem, and edge environments where resources are limited and operational demands are high. The position offers significant autonomy, hands-on impact, and the opportunity to solve complex technical and deployment challenges in dynamic, forward-operating settings.
Essential Functions
- Maintain active US security clearance and travel to customer locations approximately 25 percent of the time
- Work in small teams with minimal supervision while owning end-to-end execution of high-stakes projects
- Discuss technical architecture with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Deploy Kubernetes-based products in tactical edge environments including air-gapped, on-prem, and edge devices
- Provide operational support at the tactical edge including debugging network and systems issues, managing configuration, load balancing, container orchestration, and performing upgrades
- Deliver technical troubleshooting support to forward-deployed customers to ensure timely resolution with minimal operational impact
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve reliability, scalability, performance, and security of deployed solutions
Required Qualifications
- Software engineering background with hands-on hardware integration experience, particularly in military or defense systems
- Demonstrated experience physically integrating software into hardware systems such as military vehicles, ships, labs, or similar on-prem and edge environments
- Proven experience deploying and managing containerized applications using Kubernetes in constrained environments
- Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance with willingness to upgrade as needed
- 2-5 years of software engineering experience with significant hardware integration work
- Deep Linux systems expertise including administration, networking, and on-prem infrastructure
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, Bash, Go, or JavaScript
- Eligibility to work in the DC metro area or willingness to relocate
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience at a defense contractor, systems integrator, or defense technology company
- Familiarity with forward-deployed software platforms similar to those used in mission-critical environments
- DOD 8570 IAT Level II or higher certifications such as CISSP or Security+
- Unix or Linux Computing Environment certifications such as Linux+ or RHCE
Technical Skills
- Kubernetes and container orchestration in edge and air-gapped environments
- Linux systems administration and networking
- Python, Java, Bash, Go, or JavaScript development
- On-prem hardware integration and deployment
- Docker containerization
- Monitoring and observability tools including Prometheus and Grafana
- Systems troubleshooting and operational support in constrained environments
- Resource optimization for limited hardware footprints
Education & Certifications
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related technical field is required. Relevant certifications such as DOD 8570 IAT Level II, Linux+, or RHCE are preferred.
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation for this role ranges from $135,000 to $200,000 annually depending on experience, qualifications, and location. The position includes a full benefits package and opportunities for professional growth in a high-impact environment.