Defense Unicorns - Forward Deployed Autonomy Engineer
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Requirements
• Travel: Up to 25-50%, including domestic and international travel to customer sites, test ranges, and exercise locations. • Preferred Experience and Qualifications: • 4+ years of software engineering experience, with demonstrated experience in distributed systems and/or autonomous platforms • Hands-on experience with robotics and/or unmanned systems (ground robots, drones/UAS) • Experience working with communications infrastructure in field or tactical environments (mesh networks, RF communications, data links, etc.) • Familiarity with command and control (C2) systems and integration patterns • Strong debugging and troubleshooting skills across the full stack — software, interfaces, and system-level interactions • Experience working in fast-paced, field-based environments where adaptability and composure under pressure are essential • Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively with both technical and non-technical defense customers • Proficiency in one or more relevant languages/frameworks (Python, C++, ROS/ROS2, etc.) • Comfortable operating in austere or field environments for extended periods • Active security clearance (Secret or higher) or ability to obtain one • Background in defense programs, DoD acquisition, or working directly with military end users • Experience with DevSecOps principles and secure software delivery pipelines • Familiarity with ATAK, MAVC, or other tactical software platforms • Experience with simulation environments (Gazebo, AirSim, etc.) for pre-deployment testing • Contributions to open-source robotics or autonomy projects, ROS2, or MAVLink • Familiarity with STANAG, JAUS, or other relevant defense interoperability standards
Responsibilities
• Provide on-site technical support at customer sites, integration events, field exercises, and demonstrations involving autonomous systems (robots and drones) • Develop, integrate, and troubleshoot software components across distributed systems and autonomy platforms • Support the design, configuration, and maintenance of communications infrastructure used in field deployments • Assist in the integration and operation of command and control (C2) systems in tactical and semi-tactical environments • Diagnose and resolve complex software, hardware, and system-level issues in time-sensitive field conditions • Collaborate with customer engineering teams and internal engineers to achieve integration milestones and exercise objectives • Document field findings, issues, and resolutions to support continuous improvement of product reliability and deployment readiness • Provide feedback to internal product and engineering teams based on field observations to drive improvements • Support pre-deployment testing and validation activities to ensure systems are field-ready • Serve as a trusted technical representative of the company in customer-facing settings, maintaining professional relationships with defense stakeholders • Participate in after-action reviews and contribute to lessons-learned processes following integration events and exercises • Adapt quickly to evolving mission requirements and operational constraints in the field
Benefits
• Health: • Medical/Dental/Vision • Premiums are 100% Company Paid • Health Reimbursement Account • Disability Insurance • Financial: • 401k Retirement Plan • Company Stock Options • Leave: • We offer all full-time Unicorns Flexible Time Off (FTO) plus all Federal Holidays, one week for Thanksgiving, and two weeks for Christmas and New Year’s • Paid Parental Leave • Learning: • Reimbursement for approved trainings/subscriptions • Conferences (travel, lodging, and fees) • Don’t have all the preferred experience or qualifications? Studies show that underrepresented groups like women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs if they don't meet every requirement listed.
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