Forward Deployed Engineer
Required skills
- Forward Deployed Engineer
- AI/ML
- data solutions
- autonomous data fusion
- Agentic AI
- Distributed Data Systems
- Platforms at Scale
- Complex Application Development
- cloud-native ecosystem
- production systems
Nice to have
- SCIF environments
- cleared customers
- INDOPACOM
- CKA
- CKAD
- OpenShift
Role summary
Raft, a defense tech company specializing in AI/ML and data solutions, seeks a Forward Deployed Engineer in Huntsville, AL. This role requires deep engineering expertise and strong interpersonal skills to support mission-critical production systems. Responsibilities include serving as the technical liaison between engineering and customers, troubleshooting production systems, deploying containerized applications in Kubernetes, supporting CICD pipelines, and resolving complex technical issues. The ideal candidate has a strong engineering background, experience with Kubernetes debugging, CICD tools, system-level debugging, and excellent customer-facing communication skills. A Secret clearance with the ability to obtain a Top Secret is required.
This is a U.S. based position. All of the programs we support require U.S. citizenship to be eligible for employment. All work must be conducted within the continental U.S.
Who we are:
Raft (https://TeamRaft.com) is a customer-obsessed non-traditional defense tech company dedicated to empowering U.S. military and government agencies with cutting-edge AI/ML and data solutions. We are a leader in autonomous data fusion and Agentic AI, with a purposeful focus on Distributed Data Systems, Platforms at Scale, and Complex Application Development. With headquarters in McLean, VA, our range of clients includes innovative federal and public agencies leveraging design thinking, cutting-edge tech stack, and cloud-native ecosystem. We build digital solutions that impact the lives of millions of Americans.
About the role:
We're seeking a talented Forward Deployed Engineer to serve as the technical face of our organization in Huntsville, AL. This role combines deep engineering expertise with strong interpersonal skills to support mission-critical production systems in a forward-deployed environment. You'll be the go-to technical expert for our customers, troubleshooting complex system issues and ensuring operational excellence.
What You'll Do:
Required Qualifications
Desired Qualifications
Clearance Requirements:
Work Type:
Salary Range: $110,000 - $200,000
What we will offer you:
Our Vision Statement:
We bridge the gap between humans and data through radical transparency and our obsession with the mission.
Our Customer Obsession:
We will approach every deliverable like it's a product. We will adopt a customer-obsessed mentality. As we grow, and our footprint becomes larger, teams and employees will treat each other not only as teammates but customers. We must live the customer-obsessed mindset, always. This will help us scale and it will translate to the interactions that our Rafters have with their clients and other product teams that they integrate with. Our culture will enable our success and set us apart from other companies.
How do we get there?
Public-sector modernization is critical for us to live in a better world. We, at Raft, want to innovate and solve complex problems. And, if we are successful, our generation and the ones that follow us will live in a delightful, efficient, and accessible world where out-of-box thinking, and collaboration is a norm.
Raft’s core philosophy is Ubuntu: I Am, Because We are. We support our “nadi” by elevating the other Rafters. We work as a hyper collaborative team where each team member brings a unique perspective, adding value that did not exist before. People make Raft special. We celebrate each other and our cognitive and cultural diversity. We are devoted to our practice of innovation and collaboration.
We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
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