Forward Deployed Engineer
About the role
We are looking for Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs) who want to solve real operational problems alongside mission teams. In this role you will work directly with operators, analysts, and engineers to deploy and build systems that are used every day in mission environments.
This is not a traditional engineering role. You will operate close to the mission, often inside classified environments, working through ambiguity and building solutions that have immediate operational impact. The problems you will work on here are hard, ambiguous, and consequential.
What You'll Do
- Work directly with defense and intelligence organizations to understand operational problems
- Deploy and integrate Mattermost in classified and mission-critical environments
- Build plugins, integrations, and automations that enable operational workflows
- Prototype new capabilities quickly and iterate based on operator feedback
- Debug complex systems operating in constrained environments
- Help shape the evolution of the Mattermost platform based on mission needs
- Move between writing code, deploying infrastructure, and working directly with operators, often within the same week
- Travel is typically approximately one week per month onsite with customers
What We're Looking For
- Strong engineering ability (Go, Python, TypeScript, or similar)
- Comfort working across the full stack from infrastructure to applications
- The ability to solve open-ended technical problems
- Strong communication skills with both engineers and operators
- A willingness to travel approximately one week per month
Nice to Have
- Experience working with DoD, IC, or national security organizations
- Experience deploying systems in secure or classified environments
- Familiarity with Kubernetes, distributed systems, and APIs
- Experience building integrations or operational tooling
- Experience with AI and machine learning
Compensation
Mattermost takes a market-based approach to pay. Actual compensation may vary based on location, skills, experience, qualifications, and market conditions. Target Salary Range: $130,000 – $200,000 USD U.S.
Eligibility & Compliance
- U.S. citizenship required - Candidates must be located in the United States and eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
- Active TS/SCI clearance preferred; must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
- Applicants must meet eligibility requirements for access to export-controlled information as defined by U.S. export control laws, including EAR and ITAR