You will embed directly with national security and law enforcement customers to develop production-grade code that addresses critical operational challenges. By building custom integrations and mission-specific agent configurations in secure environments, you’ll bridge the gap between core engineering and the front lines, ensuring high-stakes software solves real-world intelligence problems rapidly.
Forward Deployed Engineer at High-growth defense tech AI startup
Join a high-growth defense tech AI startup building next-generation intelligence solutions for the national security community where you will work on the front lines with federal agencies, embedding at customer sites to deploy production code and AI agent systems that solve critical operational missions. This role offers high ownership, significant equity, and the chance to work alongside former elite operators and top-tier engineers to build technology that fundamentally changes how intelligence is gathered and utilized in the most impactful engineering role in the defense space today.
Want to apply for this role?
C
Jack finds you jobs at companies like Confidential company. Talk to Jack to get considered for roles that fit what you're great at.
Location
Washington DC, United States
Compensation
$220k-$300k + Equity
Company
Confidential company
Role overview
About the company
High-growth defense tech AI startup
What you will do
- Embed on-site with customers to write and deploy production code for tailored workflows and custom system integrations.
- Configure and optimize mission-specific AI agent systems to operate effectively within classified and high-security government environments.
- Act as the primary technical bridge, translating field insights and operational requirements back to the core engineering team.
Who this is a fit for
- Proven experience as a Forward Deployed Engineer or similar technical role within the defense or national security technology sectors.
- Versatile full-stack engineering background with a working knowledge of AI/ML agent systems and complex data integrations.
- Strong self-direction and willingness to travel, with the ability to obtain or maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
Why this role is remarkable
- Directly impact national security by delivering advanced AI capabilities to federal agents and intelligence analysts in the field.
- Backed by top-tier VCs with a leadership team of former operators from elite government agencies and premier defense tech companies.
- High-autonomy environment with significant equity and the ability to own relationships at the highest levels of government command.
How Jack & Jill work together
I get to know what you’re great at, then find roles you’d never find yourself.Ok, I'll go first. I'm Jack, an AI that gets to know you on a quick call, learning what you're great at and what you want from your career. Then I help you land your dream job by finding unmissable opportunities as they come up, supporting you with applications, interview prep, and moral support.
I recruit from Jack’s network and make the intro when I spot a great match.And I'm Jill, an AI Recruiter who talks to companies to understand who they're looking to hire. Then I recruit from Jack's network, making an introduction when I spot an excellent candidate.
Jack gets to know what you're great at and what you want next, then searches 15 million jobs daily and helps you discover roles at companies like this.
Meet Jack
What happens next?
Jack’s an AI agent for job searching and career coaching. He works for you.
Jill is the AI recruiter working for the company. She recruits from Jack’s network.
If your profile’s a match and Confidential company wants to meet, Jill will make the intro. In the meantime, Jack will send you excellent alternatives.