ForwardDeployedEngineer

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, an