Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) C-UAS

Role overview Integrate and operate modular counter-drone data and software capabilities in operational defense environments. You’ll work closely with users and mission teams to connect sensors and other systems, move data across restricted networks, resolve field problems, and hand over stable operations. Most work is remote, with on-site support when a mission requires it.

Responsibilities - Deploy and harden data platform components, including storage, databases, governance controls, and messaging integrations. - Connect the platform to existing mission infrastructure, sensors, and counter-drone systems. - Build data workflows for ingestion, transformation, cataloging, packaging, and movement across classification boundaries, including disconnected conditions. - Operate deployed services through performance and capacity management, backup and recovery, monitoring, incident response, and upgrades. - Prepare security and accreditation evidence, such as configuration records and documentation supporting restricted environments. - Document field issues, communicate user needs to engineering teams, and create runbooks and training for operational handover. - Coach junior field engineers on integration work and technical decisions.

Requirements - U.S. citizenship and an active TS/SCI clearance. - Experience with tactical or disconnected environments, such as TAK Server, ATAK/WinTAK, tactical communications, or air-gapped systems. - Production experience with data platforms, including a lakehouse, object storage, PostgreSQL, and analytical query engines. - Experience with Kafka or similar messaging, stream processing, change data capture, and production data pipeline orchestration. - Knowledge of data governance, cataloging, access controls, auditability, and strong SQL and data modeling. - Hands-on Kubernetes experience, plus strong Linux, container, networking, TLS, and secrets-management skills.

Nice to have - Familiarity with security and accreditation practices for government environments, including STIGs, cATO, FIPS, and IL4/IL5 requirements. - Experience with air-gapped delivery, data packaging, cross-domain transfer, or degraded and intermittent connectivity. - Experience supporting defense users through field integration, incident response, training, and handover.

Benefits and work setup - Remote within the United States, with approximately 10%–25% travel and the ability to work in SCIFs or other restricted sites when needed. - The source lists annual compensation of $148,750–$201,250, depending on experience. - Listed benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement savings, stock options, home-office support, flexible leave, parental leave, and training or conference reimbursement.