Frontline Defense AI 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

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.