Field Software Engineer

Linuxconfig; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid health, dental, vision

Life Insurance (Employer Paid)

401k with matching

Unlimited PTO with 2 weeks minimum

Equity package

Work/Home Office stipend

Global Entry

Parental leave (16 weeks)

Wellness stipend

Job summary

HavocAI, a leader in all-domain collaborative autonomy, seeks a Field Software Engineer to deploy autonomous systems at customer sites across the continental US. You will embed with customers, writing code in the field, solving real-time problems, and ensuring mission success during testing, demonstrations, and operations.

You will collaborate with autonomy, software, hardware, product, and program teams to maintain reliability, while building internal tools, deployment automation, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field or equivalent practical experience.
• 1+ years in software/field engineering or related areas.
• Strong Linux troubleshooting and CLI usage.
• Proficient in at least one modern programming language (C++, Python, Go, TS).
• Familiar with networking, APIs, containers, or distributed systems.
• Comfortable working across software, hardware, networking, and operations.
• Strong communication with engineers, operators, customers, and government stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel across the continental US (50–75%).
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Deploy, configure, and operate autonomous systems during demonstrations and deployments.
• Travel to customer sites for field testing, integrations, and missions.
• Develop and modify software directly in the field to fix issues.
• Integrate systems with customer platforms, sensors, and partner tech.
• Diagnose and resolve software, networking, and hardware interface problems.
• Analyze logs and telemetry to identify root causes and validate fixes.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to improve reliability.
• Build deployment tools and workflows to improve operations.
• Train operators and support acceptance, onboarding, and demonstrations.
• Capture lessons learned and translate into product improvements.

Skills

Linux

Programming: C++/Python/Go/TypeScript

Networking fundamentals

Containers & distributed systems

Clear communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering/Robotics/IT or related

Tools

ROS2

DDS

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

About Us:

Havoc is a leader in all-domain collaborative autonomy. Its software-defined hardware approach powers military and commercial-grade autonomous systems across sea, air, and land to sense, decide, and act together in complex and contested environments. Havoc connects assets, enabling them to share information, adapt in real time, and continue operating even when communications are disrupted or denied. Havoc optimizes mission performance and minimizes human risk. Havoc was founded in 2024 and headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. Learn more at Havoc: All-Domain Collaborative Autonomy .

About the Role

As a Field Software Engineer, you'll bridge the gap between engineering and operations, deploying HavocAI's autonomous systems where they matter most.

This is not a traditional field support role. You will be an engineer embedded with our customers—deploying software, integrating systems, solving technical problems in real time, and writing code to keep missions moving.

You'll work alongside autonomy engineers, software developers, hardware engineers, operators, and government customers to ensure HavocAI systems perform reliably during testing, demonstrations, and operational deployments.

Success in this role requires someone who enjoys building as much as troubleshooting. You'll be expected to understand the software deeply enough to modify it in the field, rapidly implement fixes when needed, and know when to engage the broader engineering team.

If you enjoy seeing your code leave the lab and operate on autonomous vehicles in challenging environments, you'll fit right in.

What You'll Do

• Deploy, configure, and operate HavocAI autonomous systems during customer demonstrations, exercises, and operational events.

• Travel to customer sites to support field testing, integrations, and mission deployments.

• Develop and modify software directly in the field to solve mission-critical problems.

• Integrate HavocAI systems with customer platforms, communications systems, sensors, and partner technologies.

• Diagnose and resolve software, networking, hardware interface, and system integration issues under real operational conditions.

• Analyze logs, telemetry, and system performance to identify root causes and validate fixes.

• Collaborate closely with software, autonomy, hardware, product, and program teams to improve system reliability.

• Build internal tools, deployment automation, documentation, and workflows that improve operational efficiency.

• Train operators and support customer acceptance, onboarding, and technical demonstrations.

• Capture lessons learned from field operations and translate them into product improvements.

• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to customers, partners, and government stakeholders during deployments.
  

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Robotics, Systems Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.

• 1+ years of experience in software engineering, systems engineering, robotics, DevOps, systems integration, field engineering, or related technical disciplines.

• Strong Linux experience and confidence troubleshooting using command-line tools, logs, and telemetry.

• Experience programming in at least one modern language such as C++, Python, Go, or TypeScript.

• Familiarity with networking fundamentals, APIs, containerized applications, or distributed systems.

• Comfortable working across software, hardware, networking, and operations.

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work directly with engineers, operators, customers, and government stakeholders.

• Ability to travel extensively throughout the continental United States.

• High ownership, sound judgment, and the ability to perform effectively in dynamic, fast-moving environments.

• Passion for autonomy, robotics, distributed systems, or defense technology.

• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

• Ability to travel 50-75% of the time.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with autonomous systems, robotics, unmanned vehicles, or maritime platforms.

• Experience supporting customer deployments, operational exercises, or field testing.

• Experience with ROS2, DDS, Docker, Kubernetes, or modern containerized software.

• Experience with PX4, ArduPilot, or related autonomy frameworks.

• Experience integrating communications systems, tactical networks, or command and control software.

• Familiarity with CAN, UART, Ethernet, serial protocols, or embedded hardware interfaces.

• Experience with edge computing, radios, GNSS/INS, cameras, radar, lidar, or robotic sensors.

• Experience building developer tools, deployment automation, dashboards, or operational workflows.

• Experience supporting DoD, government, aerospace, maritime, or dual-use technology programs.

• Active U.S. security clearance.

Benefits:

• 100% Employer paid Health, Dental and Vision Insurance for you and your families

• Life Insurance (Employer Paid)

• Ability to participate in the companies 401k program (Matching)

• Unlimited PTO policy with an enforced 2 week minimum

• Equity Package

• Work / Home Office Stipend

• Global Entry

• 16 Week Paid Parental Leave

• Monthly Health and Wellness Stipend

Our Values:

• Innovation: We are driven to break new ground. Every day presents an opportunity to challenge the status quo, think boldly, and deliver advanced solutions that transform the future of defense technology.

• Integrity: We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparency, accountability, and trust in all our actions and partnerships.

• Mission-Driven: We are focused on achieving impactful outcomes that align with our core mission—protecting lives through innovation.

• Forward-Leaning: We continuously seek out new opportunities and remain at the forefront of technological advancements. We embrace change and anticipate the challenges of tomorrow with confidence and creativity.

• Ownership of All Tasks: At HavocAI, no problem is too complex or too trivial. We believe that greatness comes from tackling the hardest challenges, but also in handling the smallest, sometimes thankless, tasks with the same level of commitment and care.

• Servant Leadership: We lead by serving others, whether it’s supporting our employees, partners, and the broader community. Empowering those around us is key to achieving long-term success and making a lasting impact.

HavocAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.