Forward Deployed Engineer

varron; Maryland; On-site; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + equity (client‑de

Travel to government/military sites

Job summary

SkillSource, in partnership with Varron, seeks a Forward Deployed Engineer to embed with DoD/DoW users and deploy AI/ML capabilities in air-gapped, classified environments. You will translate mission problems into working software on-site, bridging between field needs and engineering teams.

Ideal candidates have TS/SCI clearance, extensive software/ML experience, and a track record deploying in DoD contexts. Expect on-site work, travel to government locations, and a demanding but impactful role.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance, eligibility for polygraph.
• 4+ years software/ML engineering experience (Python strongly preferred).
• Hands-on deployment experience in DoD/DoW classified or disconnected environments.
• Comfort with Linux, containers, CI/CD, and infrastructure-as-code.
• The temperament to operate solo forward: high agency, high judgment, low ego.

Responsibilities

• Deploy, integrate, and sustain AI/ML systems on IL5/IL6 and air-gapped networks.
• Embed with operational users to translate mission problems into working software.
• Own data ingestion, model integration, ATO evidence support, containerized deployment (Kubernetes/Docker), and on-site troubleshooting.
• Adapt commercial products to DoW constraints: disconnected operations, cross-domain workflows, and classified data handling.
• Feed field lessons back to core engineering as the voice of the mission user.

Skills

Python

Go

C++

Linux

Containers

CI/CD

IaC

4+ years software/ML

Field deployment

Tools

Kubernetes

Docker

Job description

SkillSource, in partnership with Varron, is placing Forward Deployed Engineers with a fast-scaling AI client supporting Department of War missions. You are the engineer who ships in the room where the mission happens — embedded with military and defense-agency users, deploying and adapting AI/ML capabilities inside classified, bandwidth-constrained, and air-gapped environments where "just call the API" is not an option.

What You’ll Do

• Deploy, integrate, and sustain AI/ML systems (LLM, computer vision, data pipelines) on IL5/IL6 and air-gapped networks (SIPR/JWICS-class environments)
• Embed with operational users — COCOM staffs, program offices, and warfighting units — to translate mission problems into working software, fast
• Own the last mile: data ingestion, model integration, ATO evidence support, containerized deployment (Kubernetes/Docker), and on-site troubleshooting
• Adapt commercial-side product to DoW constraints: disconnected operations, cross-domain workflows, and CUI/classified data handling
• Feed field lessons back to core engineering as the voice of the mission user

You Have

• Active TS/SCI clearance, eligibility for polygraph.
• 4+ years software/ML engineering (Python strongly preferred; Go/C++ a plus)
• Hands-on deployment experience in DoD/DoW classified or disconnected environments
• Comfort with Linux, containers, CI/CD, and infrastructure-as-code
• The temperament to operate solo forward: high agency, high judgment, low ego

Strong Signals

• Familiarity with Platform One, Iron Bank, ATO/RMF processes, or DDS/CDAO ecosystems
• Experience fielding CV/ISR analytics (Maven-adjacent work) or LLM tools to operational users

Logistics

• Full-time placement with client · Competitive salary + equity (client-dependent) · Travel required to U.S. government and military customer locations; potential OCONUS travel depending on mission requirements.