Forward Deployed Engineer

Mach Scale; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base + equity

Job summary

Mach Scale in Austin, TX seeks a Forward Deployed Software Engineer to bridge product engineering with live deployments. You will write production code, build deployment tooling, and diagnose failures in distributed systems across customer networks.

The role involves heavy field work, up to 70% travel, and collaboration with customers to deliver reliable software in mission-critical settings. A Part 107 license is valued for flight validation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CS/SE or related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of professional software engineering experience.
• Proficiency in Python, C/C++, Go, or Java.
• Strong understanding of networking fundamentals including NAT, DNS, UDP/TCP, multicast, and firewall config.
• Experience administering Linux systems and writing shell scripts.
• Ability to debug complex software systems using logs and debugging tools.

Responsibilities

• Build deployment and integration tooling for distributed C2 software across varied customer networks and hardware stacks.
• Diagnose complex distributed systems issues in the field from logs, network traffic, and performance data.
• Develop automated validation frameworks and scripts for testing functionality, performance, and third-party integrations.
• Write production code daily to address integration needs and improve monitoring and deployment resilience.
• Collaborate remotely and on-site with stakeholders to translate requirements into durable software solutions.
• Travel to customer sites and test ranges up to 70% to support deployments and feedback to engineering.
• Operate unmanned aircraft during software validation with Part 107 license, acting as an engineer verifying system behavior.

Skills

BS in CS/SE or related

3+ years software engineering

Python

C/C++

Go

Java

Networking fundamentals

Linux scripting

Debugging complex systems

Communication with customers

Willingness to travel

Security clearances

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

A venture backed defense technology company building next generation autonomous aerial systems and the software platform required to coordinate large networks of heterogeneous unmanned assets is hiring a Forward Deployed Software Engineer. The company develops purpose built aircraft alongside a scalable Command and Control platform designed to orchestrate thousands of distributed autonomous systems in contested environments. The founding team includes repeat entrepreneurs and senior aerospace engineers who have led complex aircraft programs, closed major government contracts, and delivered advanced flight systems at globally recognized aerospace organizations.

BENEFITS

DESCRIPTION

Role Overview

• Forward Deployed Software Engineer.
• Remote.
• Competitive base + equity.
• Mission driven defense technology company developing autonomous aerial systems and distributed Command and Control software. This role bridges core engineering and live customer environments, focused on deployment reliability, integration, and field debugging of distributed systems operating in mission critical settings.
  

Role Description

• The Forward Deployed Software Engineer sits at the intersection of product engineering and operational deployment.
• This is a software first role centered on writing production code, building deployment tooling, diagnosing distributed system failures, and ensuring reliability in live environments.
• The majority of time is spent coding, automating validation, and resolving issues in production networks.
  

Core Responsibilities

• Build deployment and integration tooling to streamline installation and configuration of distributed C2 software across varied customer networks and hardware stacks.
• Diagnose complex distributed systems issues in the field by analyzing logs, network traffic, and system performance data to restore reliability quickly.
• Develop automated validation frameworks and scripts to test functionality, performance, and third party system integrations.
• Write production code daily to address integration requirements, improve monitoring, and strengthen deployment resilience.
• Collaborate remotely and on site with technical stakeholders to translate operational requirements into durable software solutions.
• Travel to customer sites and test ranges, up to 70 percent, to support deployments, troubleshoot issues, and feed structured feedback to core engineering.
• Operate unmanned aircraft during software validation efforts, holding a Part 107 license, acting as an engineer verifying system behavior rather than serving as a primary pilot.

Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Three or more years of professional software engineering experience, or equivalent demonstrated capability.
• Proficiency in at least one major programming language such as Python, C or C++, Go, or Java.
• Strong understanding of networking fundamentals including NAT, DNS, UDP and TCP protocols, multicast, and firewall configuration.
• Experience administering Linux systems and writing shell scripts.
• Demonstrated ability to debug complex software systems using logs, debuggers, and structured root cause analysis.
• Clear communication skills for engaging with technical customers and internal engineering teams.
• Willingness to travel frequently to customer and test environments.
• Ability to obtain and maintain required security clearances.
  

Preferred Experience

• Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes, and infrastructure as code practices.
• Background in distributed systems, real time systems, robotics software, or autonomous platforms.
• Familiarity with CI and CD pipelines and deployment automation frameworks.
• Prior experience in customer facing engineering roles.
• Exposure to embedded communication protocols.
• Experience supporting defense or aerospace software programs.

This role may require access to export controlled information.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States and able to obtain and maintain required security clearances where applicable.