FORWARD DEPLOYED ENGINEER

Vocatio is recruiting on behalf of a U.S.-based defense robotics startup building software and robotic technologies for demanding operational environments. We are seeking a hands-on Forward Deployed Engineer to build, integrate, deploy, and troubleshoot mission-critical software alongside customers in the field. This is an engineering-intensive, customer-facing position—not a conventional hybrid office role.

What You’ll Do

• Build and improve production software using Go (Golang) and React.
• Deploy, integrate, and troubleshoot command-and-control (C2) software in customer environments.
• Work directly with military and government end users to understand needs and resolve operational issues.
• Debug distributed systems and collaborate across software, product, and hardware teams.
• Travel regularly to domestic and international customer sites, including coastal and water-adjacent environments.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong hands-on full-stack engineering skills, particularly Go and React, with experience shipping and debugging production code.
• Approximately 1–7 years of relevant experience; demonstrated technical ability and fit are important.
• Solid fundamentals in distributed systems, APIs, systems design, and problem-solving.
• Comfort working independently, directly with customers, and in unpredictable field conditions.
• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 50–75% domestically and internationally.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Economics, or a related field.
• U.S. work authorization without employer visa sponsorship and eligibility to obtain a U.S. Secret security clearance.

Nice to Have

Experience in forward-deployed or customer-embedded engineering, robotics, autonomous systems, defense technology, hardware/software integration, or fast-moving startup teams.

Additional Information
Salary & equity

NO visa sponsorship

Must be willing to travel 50+% domestically and internationally

Eligible to obtain U.S. Secret security clearance

Pay: $196,000.00 - $240,000.00 per year

Work Location: On the road