Forward Deployed Autonomous Systems Engineer

Description

The company was founded in 2023 and builds autonomous defense platforms, including scalable, decentralized systems for the United States and its allies.

It has about 350 employees and works with startup agility.

This is a hands-on engineering role for people who like working with hardware, fixing complex systems, and operating in changing field conditions.

Responsibilities

• You will support the integration, testing, deployment, and operation of autonomous aircraft and their supporting systems.
• You will work across avionics, communications, flight controls, sensors, ground-control systems, and support equipment to get vehicles ready for test and deployment.
• You will carry out approved procedures, flag technical issues for escalation, look after equipment, and give engineering teams clear feedback so they can improve the systems.
• Configure, inspect, test, and run autonomous vehicles and support equipment according to approved procedures and checklists.
• Run checkouts and preflight work on aircraft and ground systems.
• Verify mission packouts and keep track of tools, equipment, spares, and support systems.
• Carry out routine maintenance and field-level troubleshooting.
• Find, record, and escalate technical problems to the right engineering teams.
• Help plan and prepare tests and demonstrations, including flight tests and customer demos, and take part in running them.
• Help write and improve checklists, procedures, and ongoing process changes.
• Share practical feedback with engineering based on test and field work.
• Join multi-day field deployments, flight tests, and demonstrations.
• Support integration and troubleshooting of avionics, communications systems, sensors, companion computers, and flight-control systems.
• Keep operational records accurate and make sure vehicles and equipment stay ready to deploy.
• Work with engineering, flight test, manufacturing, logistics, and program teams.
• This is not mainly a piloting role. As you progress, you may take on mission planning, checklist work, customer and range coordination, training, and routine deployments. Success depends on technical ownership, disciplined execution, sound field judgment, and turning field experience into better products and procedures.
• Depending on experience and seniority, you may also:
• Lead mission planning and routine field deployments
• Lead checklist development and configuration-control work
• Coordinate directly with military ranges, customers, and government sponsors
• Act as an avionics or vehicle-operations subject-matter expert
• Support first flights and fielding of new vehicle configurations
• Define deployment packouts and equipment needs
• Write or contribute to operator training manuals
• Train and mentor new Forward Deployed Autonomous Systems Engineers
• Own assigned parts of flight-readiness reviews

Requirements

• Required qualifications:
• A bachelor's degree in a relevant STEM field such as robotics, aerospace, electrical, or mechanical engineering, or computer science, or equivalent hands-on technical experience
• Basic understanding of unmanned aircraft, robotics, or integrated electromechanical systems
• Familiarity with flight-control concepts and autopilot software such as PX4 or ArduPilot
• Experience with a ground-control application such as QGroundControl or Mission Planner
• Basic Linux command-line skills
• Basic knowledge of networking and radio-frequency fundamentals
• Basic electrical troubleshooting and soldering skills
• Familiarity with Git or another version-control system
• Ability to read, follow, and help improve technical checklists and procedures
• Strong attention to detail, personal accountability, and sound technical judgment
• Ability to explain technical problems clearly and work well with multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Ability to travel frequently and support multi-day deployments in field conditions
• Ability to obtain an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
• Ability to meet any security, export-control, or customer-access requirements tied to the role
• Preferred qualifications:
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
• Experience operating, integrating, or maintaining unmanned aircraft or robotic systems
• Experience supporting Department of Defense tests, demonstrations, or operational deployments
• Experience with international demonstrations or field deployments
• Proficiency in Python, C++, Rust, Bash, or another applicable programming or scripting language
• Experience analyzing system logs and performing structured root-cause analysis
• Experience troubleshooting radio-frequency systems or integrating MIMO, mesh, or other tactical communications systems
• Experience integrating sensors, avionics, companion computers, or embedded systems
• Familiarity with Arduino or similar embedded development platforms
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop, software-in-the-loop, or iron-bird test environments
• Experience with high-speed cameras or other specialized test instrumentation
• Experience supporting the first flight of a new aircraft or vehicle configuration
• Understanding of how avionics, communications, flight controls, payloads, and ground systems interact
• Experience preparing or presenting material for flight-readiness reviews
• Experience developing checklists, training materials, mission plans, or deployment packouts
• Experience coordinating directly with military ranges, government customers, or program sponsors

Conditions

Available to work extended hours and weekends as needed.

The role may require access to information controlled under the EAR and ITAR. Any offer may be conditioned on authorization to receive controlled software or technology without sponsorship for an export license.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, a U.S. lawful permanent resident, a refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or an asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Engineer base salary: $105,000 to $140,000 USD.

Senior Engineer base salary: $140,000 to $180,000 USD.

Ranges are estimates for base salary only. Actual offers may vary based on experience, education and training, critical skills, business considerations, and other factors.

Benefits

• Pay reviewed against market rates for the industry and location.
• Performance bonus tied to both individual and company results.
• Stock options or equity for employees, with highly competitive equity grants included in most offers.
• Healthcare, dental and vision plans, retirement savings, and paid time off.
• Funding for continuing education, training, and career growth.
• Openness about compensation tiers and how pay decisions are made.