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Kela Technologies is seeking a Forward Deployed Engineer to serve as the technical bridge between core Engineering teams and customers, with a focus on end-user needs and operational impact. You will own the technical development, integration, fielding, and optimization of products directly with end users in defense and security contexts.
In this role, you will work side-by-side with end users to understand mission-critical challenges and represent customer needs back to Kela's engineering organization. You will drive technical outcomes through deep understanding of system performance, translate operational learnings into product improvements, and credibly represent systems to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Key responsibilities include:
- Owning the development and fielding of Kela systems for end users
- Driving product development through operational data and field learnings
- Bringing clarity to the path between engineering development and operational delivery, whether through sprint planning or on-the-ground support of test events
- Removing blockers and guiding teams through fast-paced execution to deliver optimal technical outcomes
- Translating strategic business goals and program requirements into actionable project plans with clear milestones
- Overseeing allocation of personnel, budget, and resources to ensure successful execution
- Leading with data whenever possible
The ideal candidate has strong systems or software engineering roots but thrives at the tactical edge, where you must adapt, troubleshoot, and deploy hardware/software solutions under real operational pressures. You demonstrate extreme technical ownership and autonomy in isolated environments while maintaining strategic communication with headquarters during critical mission milestones.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be a US Citizen
- Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a US Security Clearance
- 5+ years of experience in systems engineering, field robotics, or technical deployment role within aerospace, defense, or high-performance robotics sectors
- Demonstrate extreme technical ownership and autonomy in isolated environments; must be highly self-sufficient while maintaining strategic communication with HQ during critical mission milestones
- Hands-on expertise with communication interfaces and configuring edge compute modules under localized constraints
- Demonstrated success in high-tempo, "0-to-1" environments where you must rapidly deploy, iterate, and validate hardware or software fixes
- "Roll-up-your-sleeves" attitude; comfortable debugging code at tactical edge range and coordinating blueprints with engineering leads
- Proficiency in Notion, Slack, and modern configuration management tools
NICE TO HAVE:
- Active Security Clearance (Secret or Top Secret)
- Background as conventional/unconventional ordnance specialist, UAV operator, EOD technician, or fire control specialist within US Armed Forces or allied defense environments
- Experience navigating complex software architectures, Kubernetes-based microservices, or custom API gateways at tactical edge
- Prior experience with dual-use technologies, rapid prototyping for Department of War, or direct-to-government fielding initiatives
