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Forward Deployed Software Engineer, Tactical Edge


Job Location:

Washington, AR - USA

Monthly Salary: Not provided by the employer
Posted: 24 September 2026 (20 hours ago)
Application Deadline: 22 December 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

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 Youll 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 Were 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: $135000 to $200000 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.