Forward Deployed Engineer

fde; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwood Space is seeking a Forward Deployed Engineer to work with government and defense customers, deploying scalable ground-station and mission-networking systems for classified space communications, sensing, and data transport. The role requires 7+ years in customer-facing technical positions such as solutions engineering, mission operations, or capture engineering, and DC-based onsite work.

This ground-station startup is reshaping earth-to-space connectivity, with compensation details

Qualifications

• 7+ years in customer-facing technical roles such as solutions engineering, mission operations, or capture engineering.
• Experience with government/defense customers is a plus.
• DC-based on-site work required.

Responsibilities

• Embed with government and defense customers deploying ground-station and mission-networking systems.
• Lead technical engagements and deployments for space-ground connectivity.

Skills

Solutions engineering

Mission operations

Capture engineering

Customer-facing

Job description

Embed with government and defense customers deploying Northwood's scalable ground-station and mission-networking systems: classified space communications, sensing, and data transport. 7+ years in customer-facing technical roles (solutions/systems engineering, mission operations, capture engineering). DC-based. Sourced via Glassdoor US sweep (2026-07-25), verified on Northwood's own careers site.

A ground-station startup rebuilding earth-to-space connectivity puts the FDE title on classified mission work — $200K employer-provided in DC, 7+ years of mission-ops and capture-engineering experience. Proof the deployment role has reached space and national-security infrastructure, not just SaaS.

Forward Deployed Engineer at Northwood Space. Location: Washington, DC. Compensation: $200K (employer provided). Posted July 25, 2026.