Head of Forward Deployed Engineering

Washington, DC, US • Posted 30+ days ago • Updated 1 minute ago
Full Time
On-site
$215000 - $300000/yr
Company Branding Image
Fitment

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Job Details

Skills

  • Recruiting
  • IaaS
  • IT Management
  • Product Strategy
  • Software Engineering
  • Customer Facing
  • Team Leadership
  • Software Development
  • Python
  • TypeScript
  • Cloud Computing
  • Amazon Web Services
  • Kubernetes
  • Mentorship
  • Communication
  • Leadership
  • Machine Learning (ML)
  • Insurance
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Startups
  • Security Clearance

Summary

An early-stage defense AI startup building autonomous AI agents for national security and federal mission environments is hiring a Head of Forward Deployed Engineering. You'll lead the team responsible for bringing cutting-edge AI technology into customer environments, partnering closely with users while building scalable solutions using Python, TypeScript, modern AI frameworks, cloud infrastructure, Kubernetes, and distributed systems.

This is a unique opportunity to build and lead one of the company's most strategic engineering organizations from the ground up. You'll recruit, mentor, and grow a high-performing team while remaining close to customers solving real-world mission problems. They're looking for someone who has led forward deployed, solutions engineering, or customer-facing engineering teams in fast-moving environments and enjoys operating where technical leadership, product strategy, and customer success intersect. As the company grows, you'll play a major role in shaping both the engineering organization and the future of the product.

Required Skills & Experience
  • 8+ years of software engineering experience with at least 3+ years in forward-deployed or heavily customer-facing environments
  • Experience leading teams
  • Strong software development background using Python, Go, TypeScript, or similar languages
  • Experience building cloud-native applications on AWS or Kubernetes
  • Ability to work directly with customers, understand complex operational problems, and translate them into scalable software solutions
  • Experience mentoring, and growing engineering teams
  • Strong communication skills with executive-level customers and internal leadership
  • Startup or high-growth company experience strongly preferred
Desired Skills & Experience
  • Experience supporting defense, intelligence, or federal government customers
  • Experience with AI/LLMs, agentic AI systems, or machine learning platforms
  • Familiarity with distributed systems and modern infrastructure platforms
  • Previous experience at companies such as Palantir, Anduril, Scale AI, OpenAI, or similar mission-driven technology organizations
  • Having an active security clearance at TS or above
You will receive the following benefits:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • 401(k)
  • Paid Vacation & Holidays
  • Equity
  • Opportunity to build and lead a critical engineering function at a rapidly growing AI startup

Applicants must be currently eligible for a security clearance.
Employers have access to artificial intelligence language tools (“AI”) that help generate and enhance job descriptions and AI may have been used to create this description. The position description has been reviewed for accuracy and Dice believes it to correctly reflect the job opportunity.
  • Dice Id: 10105282
  • Position Id: 882686
  • Posted 30+ days ago

Company Info

About Motion Recruitment Partners, LLC

Motion Recruitment delivers IT Talent Solutions for Contract, Direct Hire, Managed Solutions and Statement of Work to all of North America from our 21 delivery centers. Our high-touch, specialized, team-based recruitment model’s success is proven through our exemplary track record in filling the most challenging IT positions for startup and enterprise clients alike. Our hyper-specialized tech focus results in a truly consultative approach for both our clients and candidates, within our recruiting areas of expertise: Software, Mobile, Data, Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Product + UX and Functional.

Motion also delivers IT Consulting Solutions through the Motion Consulting Group (MCG) that create true digital transformation for IT projects in Agile Development & Coaching, DevOps & DevSecOps Solutions, and Managed Services for IT Operations.

We’re also the proud creators of Tech in Motion and the Timmy Awards, our North American community platform, events series and award program that connects over 250,000 tech enthusiasts to meet, learn, and innovate.

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