Forward Deployed Embedded Software Engineer

NestAI; Tampere; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Occupational healthcare

Team lunches

Mac or PC of choice

Holiday allowance

Phone benefit

Job summary

NestAI, a European AI lab for defence, seeks a Forward Deployed Embedded Engineer to embed with customer teams and adapt our NestOS platform in real-world environments.

You will write robust C++ for hardware-near systems, leverage AI-assisted tools, and collaborate with tests and customers to ensure reliable field performance. A fast-moving, impact-driven role with strong problem-solving is expected.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years in embedded or systems-level software development.
• Proficiency in C++ and comfort near hardware; Python a plus.
• Ability to work independently in ambiguous, fast-changing environments.
• Experience using AI-assisted programming tools.
• Team player with collaboration between development, testing and customer stakeholders.
• Experience in robotics, autonomous systems, or industrial automation is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Customer-facing engineering: embedding with customer teams to integrate, adapt and validate our platform against real operational requirements.
• Practical optimization: write solid, efficient C++ code and balance memory and power constraints for deployment contexts.
• AI-augmented engineering: leverage AI-assisted development tools to accelerate coding and improve quality.
• Iterative problem-solving: work in a dynamic environment with testing teams and external stakeholders to validate platform performance.
• Hardware integration: integrate with sensors and microcontrollers to ensure software works reliably with deployed physical systems.

Skills

C++

Python

Embedded software

AI-assisted programming

Job description

NestAI is a European AI lab for defence delivering the adaptive operating system for modern battlefield operations. We develop adaptive intelligence for unmanned and command systems: AI that continuously learns from operational data and adapts to changing conditions.

NestOS is our open, modular and interoperable platform that enables this at scale and keeps capability evolution under sovereign European control. Founded in 2025 by Peter Sarlin, whose previous company Silo AI became Europe's largest AI acquisition, NestAI brings together over 200 engineers and scientists and partners with leading European defence forces and industry.

Role Description

We are looking for an experienced Forward Deployed Embedded Engineer to join our team. This is a role for a strong C++ generalist who is comfortable working close to the hardware and thrives in dynamic, customer-facing environments. You will be embedded directly in our customers' development environments, helping shorten the path from development to fielded capability and ensuring our physical AI runs reliably in the field.

As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you will work at the intersection of our technology and our customers' operational reality. This path is dynamic and highly impactful: you will navigate shifting environments, collaborate with external stakeholders, and solve complex engineering challenges where adaptability is key.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities:

• Customer-Facing Engineering: Embedding directly with customer teams to integrate, adapt, and validate our platform against real operational requirements.
• Practical Optimization: Writing solid, efficient C++ code and making sensible tradeoffs around memory and power constraints as the deployment context demands.
• AI-Augmented Engineering: Leveraging and championing AI-assisted development tools to accelerate and enhance the coding process.
• Iterative Problem-Solving: Working in a "try and fail" environment where curiosity leads to breakthroughs. You will collaborate closely with the testing team and customer stakeholders to validate and iterate on platform performance.
• Hardware Integration: Integrating with sensors and microcontrollers as needed, ensuring the software works reliably with the physical systems it's deployed on.

Qualifications

• Solid experience (minimum of 3 years) in embedded or systems-level software development
• Strong general proficiency in C++ (Python a plus) and comfort working close to the hardware
• Ability to work independently in ambiguous, fast-changing environments and adapt to customer needs
• A strong mindset for AI-assisted programming. You have already adapted AI tools into your daily workflow to increase productivity and code quality.
• A team player who excels in the iterative cooperation required between development, testing, and customer stakeholders
• Experience in robotics, autonomous systems, or industrial automation is a plus; strong general engineering judgment and adaptability matter more than deep low-level optimization expertise here

At NestAI, you’ll build meaningful, real-world technology as part of a world-class team of engineers, scientists, and experienced professionals. You’ll work on systems where reliability genuinely matters, contribute to Europe’s security and resilience, and solve problems that demand depth, trust, and craftsmanship.

If you want to build with purpose - and with leading experts in the field - you’ve come to the right place.

We offer a growing set of practical benefits to support your work and wellbeing, day to day:

• Occupational healthcare (currently provided by Mehiläinen)
• Regular team lunches and all-hands events
• Your choice of Mac or PC
• Holiday allowance (50% of holiday salary)
• Phone benefit according to company policy (subscription and device)

We are continuously developing and expanding our benefits as we grow.

Practicalities

Employment is subject to applicable security screening (including SUPO, where required).

NestAI is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants based on their skills, experience, and potential.