Forward Deployed Engineer

Tagup; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Employee Stock Option Plan

Comprehensive health insurance

401(k) plan

Regular company outings

Job summary

A defense technology company is seeking a Forward Deployed Engineer to deliver innovative AI/ML technologies to defense sector clients. The role involves managing technical relationships, overseeing project deployments, and translating customer needs into actionable product requirements. Ideal candidates should have over 5 years of experience in software implementation and be proficient in programming languages like Python or JavaScript. This position offers a competitive salary range of $130,000 to $160,000 annually, comprehensive benefits, and stock options.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in software implementation or project delivery.
• Strong engineering background with proficiency in relevant programming languages.
• Experience in managing multiple contracts and deployments.

Responsibilities

• Own technical relationships with defense customers.
• Manage multiple contracts and deployments concurrently.
• Develop clear deployment plans and communicate strategies.

Skills

Software implementation

Analytics deployment

Project delivery in B2B environments

Python

JavaScript

Cloud infrastructure

Data structures

Storage systems

Modern frameworks

Collaboration

Job description

Tagup is a defense technology company founded at MIT that is redefining logistics superiority with next-generation AI. We’re growing rapidly and are looking for change-makers passionate about delivering innovative technologies to solve the most challenging problems in the world’s highest stakes environments. This is an exciting opportunity to engage in meaningful work that strengthens national security and contributes to the success of U.S. and allied forces. Join us in shaping the future of defense logistics for a safer tomorrow.

We’re seeking a Forward Deployed Engineer to join our growing team, where you’ll deliver cutting‑edge AI/ML technology to defense sector clients. Our work directly supports critical operations, requiring precision, security, and flexibility.

In this role, you’ll oversee technical delivery from contract signing to deployment and ongoing use in operational environments. To succeed, you’ll need strong presentation and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to work closely with defense clients in high‑pressure situations.

Responsibilities

• Own technical relationships with defense customers and serve as their primary point of contact
• Manage multiple contracts and deployments concurrently to ensure mission success
• Develop clear deployment plans with tasks, milestones, and resources
• Communicate deployment strategies, deliverables, and timelines across internal and external teams
• Translate customer needs into product requirements and align feature development with defense applications

Desired Skills

• 5+ years of experience in software implementation, analytics deployment, or project delivery in B2B environments
• Solid engineering background with proficiency in Python, JavaScript, or similar programming languages
• Familiarity with cloud infrastructure, data structures, storage systems, and modern frameworks
• Strong sense of ownership, adaptability, and willingness to take a hands‑on approach
• Ability to translate technical decisions into meaningful outcomes for end users
• Effective collaborator across technical and non-technical teams in dynamic environments
• Willingness to travel as needed to support deployments and customer engagements

Salary

The estimated salary range for this position is between $130,000 and $160,000 annually. We strive to provide a competitive salary and benefits package that aligns with our employees’ experience and qualifications.

As a rapidly expanding technology company, we extend part‑ownership to all team members through an Employee Stock Option Plan. Additionally, we offer comprehensive health insurance benefits, access to the company’s 401(k) plan, and foster a team‑oriented work environment with regular company outings!

Why Join Us

At Tagup, your work won’t sit on a shelf—it will power mission‑critical operations from day one. You’ll join a fast‑moving team where initiative is valued, collaboration is essential, and every project pushes the boundaries of AI/ML in defense. This is your chance to grow, make an impact, and help shape the future of national security technology.

Tagup is an equal opportunity employer and individuals seeking employment with us are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Citizenship

Due to the nature of our work with the U.S. Department of Defense, applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor visas at this time.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.