Forward Deployed Software Engineer

The Arena; Maryland; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Arena in the DC Metro area is seeking a Forward Deployed Software Engineer to work directly with DoD mission users. You will sit with analysts, understand what’s broken, and build fixes end-to-end in Python and TypeScript, shipping tangible results quickly.

This role requires an active DoD Secret clearance or higher, 2+ years of professional software engineering, and a willingness to travel up to 50% domestically and OCONUS to be where the work happens.

Qualifications

• Active DoD Secret clearance or higher at time of hire (this is non-negotiable — the work is classified)
• 2+ years of professional software engineering or forward-deployed engineering experience
• Strong Python and TypeScript chops
• You'd rather be in front of a real user than in another planning meeting
• Genuine comfort with ambiguity — this isn't a "the ticket tells you everything" kind of job

Responsibilities

• Sit with mission users to understand what's broken, then go build the fix — no requirements doc telephone game
• Own features end-to-end, from a customer's frustration to a shipped solution they're actually using
• Travel up to 50% domestically and OCONUS to be where the work happens
• Work directly with founders and engineers who move fast and expect you to as well

Skills

Python

TypeScript

DoD clearance

Frontline user interaction

Job description

Forward Deployed Software Engineer | Defense AI | DC Metro

Most engineers write code and wait weeks to hear if it mattered. You won't have that problem here.

We're partnered with an early-stage defense AI startup — founded by a team of ex-Palantir engineers — building AI-powered software that helps DoD and Intelligence Community teams cut through classified document review that used to take weeks, and get it done in minutes. This isn't a theoretical mission statement. It's shipping now, in front of real analysts, on real problems that matter.

We're looking for a Forward Deployed Software Engineer who wants to be in the room with the people using what you build — not three layers removed from them. You'll scope the problem on-site, go build it, ship it, and watch it work (or not, and fix it fast). If you've ever finished a sprint and wondered whether anyone actually uses the thing you shipped, this role removes that question entirely.

What you'll actually Do:

• Sit with mission users to understand what's broken, then go build the fix — no requirements doc telephone game
• Own features end-to-end, from a customer's frustration to a shipped solution they're actually using
• Travel up to 50% domestically and OCONUS to be where the work happens
• Work directly with founders and engineers who move fast and expect you to as well

What gets you in the door:

• Active DoD Secret clearance or higher at time of hire (this is non-negotiable — the work is classified)
• 2+ years of professional software engineering or forward-deployed engineering experience
• Strong Python and TypeScript chops
• You'd rather be in front of a real user than in another planning meeting
• Genuine comfort with ambiguity — this isn't a "the ticket tells you everything" kind of job