Forward Deployed Engineer

Talent Acquisition Strategies is seeking a motivated, curious, and data-driven professional to join our team as a Senior Forward Deployed Engineer supporting mission-critical national security initiatives in Washington, DC. This role is ideal for technically skilled professionals who thrive in operational environments and enjoy solving complex customer problems through data, analytics, and modern technical platforms.

As a Senior Forward Deployed Engineer, you will serve as a forward-deployed technical expert embedded directly with customer teams. You will bridge the gap between operational mission requirements and technical execution by configuring data platforms, integrating diverse data sources, enabling analytical workflows, and translating customer needs into scalable technical solutions.

This role requires strong analytical thinking, stakeholder engagement skills, and hands-on experience with data engineering, platform implementation, and operational problem solving within defense or national security environments.

Key Responsibilities

On-Site Technical Execution

• Embed directly with customer teams at the client site in Washington, DC and other designated client sites up to five days per week.
• Deliver forward-deployed technical solutions in support of mission and operational objectives.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to government stakeholders and operational users.

Platform Configuration & Data Engineering

• Configure and maintain technical platforms using SQL, Python, and related technologies.
• Integrate structured and unstructured data sources into operational workflows and analytical environments.
• Support containerized deployments and infrastructure using technologies such as Kubernetes and Docker.
• Develop scalable workflows, dashboards, and monitoring solutions aligned to mission requirements.

Stakeholder Engagement & Mission Support

• Act as the primary technical interface between customer leadership, analysts, and product teams.
• Facilitate live data analysis sessions, operational deep-dives, and “what-if” scenario modeling.
• Translate evolving mission needs into actionable technical roadmaps and implementation strategies.
• Ensure operational assessments become persistent, usable capabilities within customer workflows.

Performance Optimization & Troubleshooting

• Diagnose and resolve platform and system issues in operational environments.
• Conduct root cause analysis and optimize performance, scalability, and reliability.
• Support continuous improvement efforts across deployed technical solutions.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead execution teams, technical workstreams, and customer-facing implementation efforts.
• Mentor junior engineers and analysts to strengthen technical capability and mission understanding.
• Contribute to institutional knowledge development and best practices for data platform implementation.

Required Qualifications

• Eligibility to obtain a security clearance is required
• Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative or technical discipline such as: Computer Science; Mathematics; Engineering; Economics; Data Science; Information Systems
• Equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirements.
• 3–7 years of experience supporting national security, defense, or government analytical missions.
• Strong proficiency with one or more of the following: SQL; Python; R
• Experience working with data platforms, data integration, or analytics workflows.
• Strong understanding of defense acquisition processes, program management, or operational mission environments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with demonstrated experience briefing senior government stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively in fast-paced, customer-facing environments with evolving mission priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with cloud and SaaS platforms such as: AWS GovCloud; Microsoft Azure Government
• Familiarity with: Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM); Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE); Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)
• Experience supporting operational modernization or digital transformation initiatives.
• Exposure to Palantir Foundry or similar enterprise data platforms preferred, though not required.
• Experience working in startup, entrepreneurial, or agile delivery environments.
• Master’s degree in a technical or quantitative discipline preferred.