Forward Deployed Engineer

Knightscope, Inc; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, dental, vision

401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

Knightscope, Inc. seeks a Forward Deployed Engineer to serve as the technical operator embedded at client sites. You will survey terrain, engineer deployments, and integrate with client systems to make autonomous security work in the real world.

You own problems end to end across hardware, software, and networking and you will carry field learnings back to engineering so the Force improves with every autonomous hour.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or equivalent hands-on experience in electrical, computer, mechanical, mechatronics, robotics, or field systems engineering.
• 10+ years in sales engineer or technical architect roles.
• Strong networking fundamentals: LTE/5G, Wi-Fi, VPN; ability to debug connectivity remotely or on-site.
• Experience working with hardware and software in the same day; scripting, log analysis, diagnostics.
• Excellent client-facing communication; deliver answers, not excuses.
• Willingness to travel nationwide; based in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Conduct site surveys and deployment engineering for autonomous machines and sensing infrastructure - coverage, connectivity, power, terrain, and escalation paths.
• Commission, configure, and integrate Knightscope technology in client environments - networks, video management systems, access control, and security operations workflows.
• Partner with Mission Advisors during the sales cycle: technical scoping, site architecture, and proving the deployment works before the client signs.
• Troubleshoot in the field across hardware, software, and networking - own the problem end to end, no handoffs.
• Close the loop: document field learnings and drive them back into engineering, product, and operations so every deployment is better than the last.
• Represent Knightscope on the client’s property, in the client’s view - held to the same standard as any member of the Force.

Skills

Sales engineering experience

Client-facing communication

Networking fundamentals

Hardware and software field work

Travel readiness

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent hands-on experience

Tools

VMS

Access control

Robotics deployment tools

Job description

AboutKnightscope

Knightscope (NASDAQ: KSCP) is a security technology company building the nation’s first Autonomous Security Force — autonomous machines, AI-driven software, and elite security professionals operating as one integrated managed service. The Company is on a mission to make the United States of America the safest country in the world. One Team. One Force.

Job Summary

The Forward Deployed Engineer is the technical operator embedded at client sites and inside the deal - surveying terrain, engineering deployments, integrating with client systems, and making autonomous security work in the real world. You own problems end to end across hardware, software, and networking, and drive field learnings back into engineering.

Location: ONSITE - Sunnyvale, CA HQ

About the Role

The Forward Deployed Engineer works with the Mission Advisor and the client where the Force meets the ground. You are the technical operator embedded at the client site and inside the deal - surveying the terrain, engineering the deployment, integrating with the client’s systems, and making autonomous security work in the real world, not on a slide. When something breaks at the seam between hardware, software, network, and client environment, you own it until it is fixed - and you carry what you learned back to engineering so the Force gets better every autonomous hour.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct site surveys and deployment engineering for autonomous machines and sensing infrastructure - coverage, connectivity, power, terrain, and escalation paths.
• Commission, configure, and integrate Knightscope technology in client environments - networks, video management systems, access control, and security operations workflows.
• Partner with Mission Advisors during the sales cycle: technical scoping, site architecture, and proving the deployment works before the client signs.
• Troubleshoot in the field across hardware, software, and networking - own the problem end to end, no handoffs.
• Close the loop: document field learnings and drive them back into engineering, product, and operations so every deployment is better than the last.
• Represent Knightscope on the client’s property, in the client’s view - held to the same standard as any member of the Force.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years in sales engineer or technical architect role
• Engineering degree or equivalent hands-on experience - electrical, computer, mechanical, mechatronics, robotics, or field systems engineering.
• Strong networking fundamentals: LTE/5G, Wi-Fi, VPN, and the patience to debug connectivity in a parking garage at 2 a.m.
• Comfort working hardware and software in the same day - scripting, log analysis, diagnostics, and a toolbag.
• Client-facing composure: you explain technical reality in plain language and bring answers, not problems.
• Willingness to travel extensively to client sites nationwide. Based in the United States.
• Preferred: robotics or autonomous systems deployment; physical security systems (VMS, access control, sensors); field service or deployment leadership; experience supporting government or regulated environments.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $130,000 – $170,000 (DOE)
• Equity: Stock options
• Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off
• Location Requirement: Full-time, field-based with extensive nationwide travel; anchored to Sunnyvale HQ.