Forward Deployed Engineer

NightDragon Acquisition Corp.; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Premium Healthcare Benefits

401(k) retirement savings plan

Competitive paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

A leading technology company based in Arlington, Virginia, is seeking a Field Service Engineer to deliver advanced technical support across hardware and software systems. This role involves diagnosing and resolving complex system issues, maintaining system uptime, and building solid relationships with customers. Candidates should possess a B.S. in computer science, engineering, or a related field, with 5 years of relevant experience, including proficiency in Linux systems and networking fundamentals. The position offers a competitive salary and extensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 5 or more years of relevant experience.
• Strong software troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly.

Responsibilities

• Provide on‑site and remote support to diagnose and resolve complex system issues.
• Monitor customer system performance and proactively identify issues.
• Build strong customer relationships as a trusted technical advisor.

Skills

Linux systems proficiency

Networking fundamentals

Software troubleshooting

C++ programming

Python programming

Education

B.S. in computer science, engineering, robotics, or related field

Job description

About Forterra

At Forterra, we are unleashing autonomy at scale to transform the battlefield. Our mission is to build the foundational platforms that enable an intelligent ecosystem to coordinate, adapt, and execute with speed and precision even in the uncertainty and disruption of modern conflict.

About the role

The Field Service Engineer plays a critical role in delivering advanced technical support across hardware and software systems to ensure customer success, system reliability, and operational excellence. Reporting to the Director of Customer Success, this role focuses on hands‑on field support to diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve complex system issues.

The Field Service Engineer is responsible for maintaining system uptime, supporting deployments, and serving as a technical expert for customers, with a strong focus on root‑cause analysis, system integration, and continuous improvement.

This role will support extended deployments in operational field environments, including possible active combat zones.

What you'll do

Customer Product Support

• Monitor customer system performance and proactively identify issues across hardware and software components.
• Provide on‑site and remote support to diagnose and resolve complex system issues, minimizing downtime.
• Serve as a primary technical escalation point for customers, particularly for software, and networking‑related issues.

Technical Expertise and Troubleshooting

• Diagnose and resolve issues across systems, networking infrastructure, and software.
• Perform log analysis, system health checks, and root‑cause investigations for recurring or critical failures.
• Support system installations, upgrades, patches, and configuration changes in field environments.
• Troubleshoot connectivity issues (e.g., IP networking, routing, firewalls, VPNs) and system integrations.

Software & Systems Support

• Work with engineering teams to debug and resolve software defects encountered in the field.
• Assist in deploying and validating software updates, ensuring system stability post‑deployment.
• Support command‑line operations, scripting, and system configuration within Linux environments.

Documentation and Communication

• Maintain detailed records of service activities, including issue diagnostics, resolution processes, asset usage, and customer interactions.
• Generate comprehensive field reports and work orders to provide actionable feedback to quality and engineering teams.
• Communicate service bulletins, informational notices, and product updates effectively to internal and external stakeholders, ensuring clear understanding and implementation.

Customer Relationship Management

• Build strong customer relationships by acting as a trusted technical advisor.
• Provide guidance on best practices for system operation, maintenance, and performance optimization.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve customer experience and system reliability.

Travel and Field Operations

• Regularly travel to various customer sites to deliver essential on‑site support, ensuring responsiveness and timely issue resolution.
• Extended deployments in operational field environments, including possible active combat zones.
• Ensure readiness and compliance with all safety standards during travel and field service operations.

Qualifications

• 5 or more years of relevant experience.
• B.S. in computer science, engineering, robotics, or related field.
• Proficiency in Linux systems (command line, system logs, basic administration).
• Solid understanding of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, routing, firewalls, VPNs).
• Strong software troubleshooting skills, including log analysis and debugging.
• Experience diagnosing complex systems involving both hardware and software components.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences.
• Strong documentation and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently in dynamic, customer‑facing environments.
• Experience in integrating software on hardware products.
• Strong programming skills in languages such as C++ or Python.
• Solid core software engineering skills: software design, unit testing, debugging.
• Strong understanding of algorithms, data structures, and software design principles.
• Experience working in teams and a willingness to proactively solve problems.
• Ability to travel up to 75%, including internationally.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with autonomous systems, robotics, or distributed systems.
• Experience working closely with engineering teams to resolve field issues.
• Experience in software development for robotics and autonomous systems.
• Experience with state machines, motion, path planning, and/or perception pipelines.
• Knowledge of navigation, localization, and/or mapping algorithms.
• Familiarity with real‑time operating systems and embedded programming.

Salary Range

$120,000—$150,000

Benefits

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA‑eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long‑term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption.
• A $9,000 annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after‑tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Forterra is an equal‑opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. All qualified applications will receive equal consideration for employment.