Forward Deployed Software Engineer

Archangel Autonomy Ltd; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

PTO 15 days + end-of-year week off

401k plan

Job summary

Archangel is seeking a Forward Deployed Software Engineer to bring state-of-the-art AI to the tactical edge. You will adapt and deploy vision and language models for compute efficiency and local context, using our codebase and cutting-edge tools, while working directly with users and traveling to customer sites to deploy rapid, field-ready solutions.

This role blends software, hardware, and operations—own features end-to-end in a small, fast-moving team; expect up to 30% travel to build, test,

Job description

At Archangel, we deploy AI and robotics to protect service personnel, military personnel, critical infrastructure, and first responders in large, remote areas. Our mission is to make machines smart enough to become competent teammates instead of just tools, working alongside society’s most exposed workers in remote and challenging locations to protect people, infrastructure, assets and planet at scale.

The role

Joining us as a Forward Deployed Software Engineer, you will have an opportunity to bring state-of-the-art AI to the tactical edge. You will be adapting and deploying vision and language models for compute efficiency and local context, using tools from our existing codebase as well as state-of-the-art tools. This is not a traditional developer role, you will be working directly with the users and traveling to customer sites, building solutions rapidly sometimes on site under difficult conditions.

Skills Needed

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Machine Learning, or equivalent experience.
• Strong programming skills, particularly in Python; experience with Java or C++ is also valuable.
• Experience building solutions with LLMs, generative AI, RAG, embeddings, or other applied AI systems.
• Strong foundation in machine learning, including evaluation, training, and problem decomposition.
• Experience with Docker, networking, deployment scripts, and local model-serving tools.
• Familiarity with PyTorch, Hugging Face, llama.cpp, Ollama, vLLM, or similar frameworks.
• Familiarity with vector databases such as Milvus, FAISS, Qdrant, Chroma, or similar.
• Experience building reliable systems with logging, watchdogs, crash recovery, automated testing, CI/CD, and field diagnostics.
• Ability to quickly understand complex systems and established codebases.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively across software, hardware, UI, and operational teams.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable owning features end-to-end in a small, fast-moving team.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% to build, test, deploy, and troubleshoot systems in the field.
• U.S. Person status.

Nice to Have

• Experience with NVIDIA platforms, CUDA, or TensorRT.
• Android or Java development experience.
• ATAK, TAK Server, TAKChat, CoT, or TAK plugin experience.
• Experience with mesh networks, distributed communications, low-bandwidth systems, or disconnected environments.
• Secure software development experience, including authentication, encryption, least privilege, audit logging, and secrets handling.
• Experience troubleshooting remotely deployed software systems.
• Rapid prototyping or 3D printing experience.
• Hands-on experience with electrical or mechanical systems.
• Knowledge of military systems, operational tactics, or tactical communications.
• Employees can enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Employees are entitled to 15 days PTO per year and 1 week paid time off built into the end of each year (subject to team and business needs).
• Employees can enroll in Archangel’s 401k plan.

The Archangel Experience

We are makers and engineers first, driven by the desire to solve challenges that matter. Automation is how humanity moves forward and for us it’s more than a method; it is a mindset- central to how we streamline work and deliver cutting edge solutions that make a real difference.

Our culture is grounded in high integrity, teamwork, and a shared pursuit of excellence. Learning never stops here. We prioritise growth, knowledge sharing, and collaboration so every team member is empowered to thrive. We are looking for people who are proactive, collaborative, and passionate about purpose led technology. If you are excited by meaningful challenges, thrive in fast paced environments, and want to build technology that supports solving real-world problems, you will feel right at home.

Location

This is an office-based role, primarily requiring work in our Syracuse NYC location, with travel expected.