Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)

Terra Sense Analytics is looking for a Forward Deployed Engineer!

We truly believe that it’s our team that drives this company and its success. We are looking for talented new team members to join us and provide professionalism, commitment, and integrity.

We want people who encompass our values of being self-driven, honest, and interested in pushing the envelope of AI/deep learning. 

Our head office is located in the beautiful city of Kelowna BC, with a satellite office located in Calgary AB.

This will be hybrid with work hours divided between remote (home) and office attendance. Preference will be given to candidates from Kelowna, BC.

WHY WORK WITH US?

We believe in the change we can bring with our technology. Our technology is on the forefront of AI and deep learning with real world application. We work together with NVIDIA, UBC, Transport Canada, and Canadian Defence. Our products are being developed with focus on modernization in two primary sectors: Aerospace and Defense. 

Our diverse team consists of people from a variety of backgrounds who enjoy leading initiatives and are self-motivated  (flexible office hours), enthusiastic about continuous skill development (training and professional development allowance), enjoy team dynamics (team activities), and are passionate about leading the world towards positive outcomes.

As a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) at TerraSense Analytics, you will operate at the critical intersection of advanced software engineering, AI/ML deployment, and frontline customer success. You will be tasked with bringing cutting-edge Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) solutions directly to our most strategic clients.

• Frontline Deployment and Ownership: Acting as a face of our company for our defense partners, you will own the end-to-end execution of high-stakes, real-world deployments. This involves embedding directly with military and defense clients to integrate our MIST® AI/ML middleware, fusing multi-domain sensor data into actionable intelligence directly at the tactical edge.
• Technical Architecture and Leadership: You will be a hands-on leader, deeply understanding our customers' complex problems, architecting sophisticated solutions, and leading the technical delivery of innovative, impactful solutions that leverage our MIST platform and beyond.
• Product Development Contribution: When not in the field, you will harness your expertise to support scrum teams in building and refining our core product areas, including:

• • Sensor integrations and real-time data processing.
  • Software integrations.
  • Developing, maintaining, optimizing, and documenting the core product.
  • Product Testing.
  • UI/UX
  • Integration Tooling.

This role is not just about coding; it’s about shaping technical strategy and ensuring successful outcomes in a mission-critical environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Edge Deployment: Deploy, configure, and scale deep learning models to low-SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) edge computing devices, including drones, airborne ISR platforms, naval vessels, and ground systems.

Sensor Integration: Work directly in the field to integrate the MIST® platform with STANAG 4609 compliant EO/IR gimbals and STANAG 4607 GMTI/SAR radars to deliver real-time detection, recognition, and tracking.

Mission Workflow Alignment: Build custom components, APIs, and data pipelines to ensure the system seamlessly outputs geolocated targets into existing military mission workflows via MIL-STD 2525 icons and Cursor on Target messages.

Field Problem-Solving: Provide on-site, hands-on support to troubleshoot and optimize complex systems during active field test events and real-world military deployments, both domestically and internationally.

Cross-Functional Leadership: Serve as the technical bridge between military end-users and TerraSense's core product and engineering teams, translating field experience and customer needs into product roadmap improvements.

Real-World Product Testing: Lead hands-on execution and technical troubleshooting during active military field test events. Validate the real-time performance, reliability, and sensor interoperability of the MIST® platform on low-SWaP edge devices (such as drones and airborne ISR platforms) under live, tactical operating conditions.

Training & Knowledge Transfer:

Develop and deliver technical training packages to military operators and maintainers to ensure platform self-sufficiency post-deployment.

Safety & Security Compliance: Adhere to Canadian legislation and regulations regarding safety and export controls (ie. OHS, Canadian Controlled Goods Program), while handling
sensitive hardware and software. Additionally must adhere to any host-nation and/or military-specific regulations while deployed internationally.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience: A technical diploma in computer technology or a computer science degree, with 3+ years of industry experience in software deployment and a strong engineering background.

Software Development & Deployment: Proven experience in architecting, building, testing, and deploying production-ready production level software.

Autonomy & Problem Solving: A highly analytical mindset with the ability to continuously learn, work independently, and make decisions with minimal supervision in ambiguous, rapidly changing environments.

Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to conduct discovery with customers, convey technical concepts to diverse stakeholders, and build trust with defense operators. Proven ability to maintain professional composure and represent the company's interests in high-pressure, austere, or military-centric environments.

Clearance & Background: Must be eligible to attain a high-level Security Clearance (NATO Secret minimum) and maintain clean criminal record checks as per contract compliance. Failure to obtain or the revocation of such clearances may result in termination of employment for cause.

Willingness and interest to travel as needed to client sites and military bases, with an ability to travel 25-50% of the time. Willing to maintain any required travel vaccines, as well as have no passport restrictions to enter other countries.

Fitness: Physical ability to transport and install ISR hardware (up to 50lbs) and transverse over uneven terrain, to include active military training areas or maritime environments.

Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP) or the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) is considered an asset.

Training: Experience delivering product training to end-users is considered an asset.

*PLEASE NOTE:  TerraSense works in the aerospace and defense sectors.  As a result, this position requires a Secret Level Security Clearance issued by the Government of Canada. Candidates must be able to provide a verifiable 10-year history of residence, employment, and/or education to meet the federal background check requirements. To do so, you will need to answer the following questions:

• Are you a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada?
• Have you lived in Canada for the last 10 years?
• During the last 10 years, have you travelled outside Canada for more than 6 consecutive months at a given time?
• Do you possess dual citizenship?  If so please provide details.  

COMPENSATION

• $125,000.00 - $145,000.00
• 5 weeks flexible paid vacation, PLUS an additional 1 week paid vacation during the Christmas holiday season.  A total of 6 weeks paid vacation! 
  
• Training and professional development allowance.
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• We are based out of Kelowna, BC.  We love it here and the lifestyle that comes with Okanagan living (beach time, hiking, wineries, skiing – what more can you ask for?!).  We would love for you to come work, live, and play with us here.  To that end for those who come to Kelowna we provide an "Okanagan Relocation Top Up": a 10% top up on your agreed upon salary, paid out quarterly. 

PLEASE DON'T MESSAGE OUTSIDE OF THE JOB POSTING.

TerraSense Analytics is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment, free of discrimination and harassment.  We employ people without regard to age, ancestry, colour, race, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed, disability, family status, marital status (including single status), gender identity, gender expression, sex (including pregnancy and breastfeeding), or sexual orientation. 

In line with our commitment to equitable treatment for all, TerraSense Analytics pays due consideration to those applicants who have been historically under-represented within employment: women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities. 

TerraSense acknowledges that it is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the syilx/Okanagan people.