Forward Deployed Software Engineer (Exclusive)

Role: Forward Deployed Software Engineer (Exclusive)

Location: Austin, TX or San Diego, CA
Company Stage: Series B Venture-backed Startup
Office Type: On-site (5 Days a Week)
Salary: $120K – $160K + Equity

Company Description

Our client is a fast-growing venture-backed defense technology company building autonomous surface vessels that enhance maritime security and mission operations. Their platforms combine advanced hardware, software, and AI to deliver cutting-edge autonomy, perception, and control systems capable of operating in complex real-world environments.

As a third-party recruiting partner, we’re helping this company expand their forward deployment engineering team — where innovation meets real-world impact. If you’re eager to build systems that leave the lab and perform in live mission conditions, this is the role for you.

What You Will Do

• Develop and optimize autonomy, networking, and mission execution software for real-world maritime environments.

• Deploy, test, and refine autonomous systems directly in the field, iterating based on mission data and feedback.

• Integrate and validate software with diverse sensors — including radar, GPS, LiDAR, and vision systems.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with autonomy, hardware, and operations teams to enhance reliability and system performance.

• Work hands-on with customers and end-users to understand operational needs and shape product direction.

• Troubleshoot and debug complex software, networking, and system-level challenges during field deployments.

• Document and streamline deployment and debugging processes to support future scalability.

This is a high-impact, field-oriented engineering role that blends deep software development with real-world system deployment.

Ideal Candidate Background

• 2–10 years of software engineering experience, ideally in robotics, autonomy, or embedded systems.

• Proven experience developing in C++, Rust, or Python within Linux-based environments.

• Strong understanding of networking protocols, distributed systems, and real-time data handling.

• Demonstrated ability to debug and improve complex integrated hardware/software systems.

• Experience integrating or deploying software in field conditions or mission-critical applications.

• Comfortable working directly with operators or customers in fast-paced, hands-on settings.

• Eligible to work on U.S.-based defense programs (U.S. Person status required as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience at defense tech or autonomy companies (e.g., Anduril, Skydio, Saildrone, Epirus).

• Background in sensor fusion, robotics operating systems (ROS), or control systems.

• Exposure to computer vision frameworks (e.g., YOLO) or Kalman filtering.

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or related technical discipline.

• Excited by travel (up to 50%+) and hands-on system deployment in maritime environments.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $120K – $160K (commensurate with experience)

• Equity: Stock options in a fast-growing venture-backed company

• Benefits: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k); paid time off; and travel per diems for field work

• Additional Perks:

  • Opportunity to work on mission-critical, high-impact systems with real operational outcomes

  • Direct visibility into product deployment and customer impact

  • Fast-moving startup culture — no bureaucracy, high ownership, and rapid iteration cycles

Join a team that’s redefining maritime autonomy.
If you’re a hands-on engineer who loves seeing your code power real-world missions, we’d love to connect.