Forward Deployed Engineer

Swarm Aero is redefining air power, building the largest swarming UAV and the most versatile swarming aircraft network in the world. The company is moving quickly to launch the first aircraft designed specifically for swarming, as well as the Command & Control software to mobilize swarms of thousands of heterogeneous autonomous assets and empower human operators to achieve superhuman results.

The team has created and exited multiple startups, negotiated defense deals worth billions of dollars, and designed and built 30+ novel aircraft, with aerospace experience from Scaled Composites, Airbus, Archer Aviation, Blue Origin, and Boom Supersonic.

About the Role

Our software runs in real military operations, and someone has to be there when it does.

We are looking for a Forward Deployed Engineer to work on site with military operators in Oxnard, California. You will be the technical link between the operators and our engineering team. On most operating days, you will work inside a secure operations center, keeping our C2 software running and fixing problems as they happen.

You will support our customer through workups, deployments, and major exercises. You will make sure our software works with the systems around it, and every issue you capture in the field will go straight back to our product and engineering teams.

This role starts with on-site support and grows into a full forward deployed engineering role. As you learn the system, you will take on more of the engineering work, including building integrations and contributing code.

This role is open to multiple experience levels. We will match the level and pay to your experience.

What You'll Do

• Troubleshoot, quick-fix, and repair C2 software issues in real time while operators are using it.

• Run system restarts and recovery when something goes down during operations.

• Configure our C2 software for specific exercises and training events.

• Build exercise and training scenarios with operators, and test them so they work when it counts.

• Support military personnel during workups, deployments, and major exercises.

• Verify that our integrations with C4I systems, common operating pictures, and tactical datalinks such as Link 16 work as expected.

• Capture every field issue with clear logs and steps to reproduce, and work with our engineering team to get it fixed.

• Bring operator feedback and lessons learned back to our product and engineering teams.

• Support operations outside normal hours, including on-call response and coverage aligned to the operational schedule.

This Role Is For You If

• You want to work hands-on in real military operations, with the people who depend on the system.

• You stay calm and methodical when a system goes down in the middle of an exercise.

• You enjoy working side by side with military operators and earning their trust.

• You like being the person who knows the system best on site.

This Role Is NOT

• A remote role. You will be on site in Oxnard most operating days.

• A pilot position or vehicle operator role

• Primarily hands-on hardware work (electronics, wiring, mechanical assembly)

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field, or equivalent experience, including military technical experience

• 1+ years of experience in technical support, systems administration, IT, or software engineering, including military technical roles

• Basic scripting ability (Python, Bash, or similar)

• Solid understanding of networking fundamentals: NAT, DNS/mDNS, UDP/TCP protocols, multicast, and firewall configuration

• Experience with Linux system administration and shell scripting

• Strong troubleshooting skills. You know how to read logs, work through an issue step by step, and find the root cause.

• Excellent communication skills for engaging with U.S. government and military customers and internal engineering teams

• Must be based in (or willing to relocate to) Oxnard, California and work on site

• Willingness to support deployments and major exercises, including travel when required

• Currently possesses and is able to maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• U.S. military experience, especially with unmanned systems or operations centers

• Experience with C4I systems, common operating pictures, or tactical datalinks such as Link 16

• Experience supporting live exercises, test events, or operational deployments

• Software development experience in Python, C/C++, Golang, or Java

• Experience with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)

• Experience with unmanned surface or undersea vehicles

ITAR requirement

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Swarm Aero is an equal opportunity employer. We value diverse backgrounds and experiences and make employment decisions without regard to race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or disability.

What We Offer

• Meaningful equity in a high-growth defense technology company

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience

• Medical, dental, vision, and 401k

• PTO and paid sick leave

• Monthly wellness stipend

• Daily catered lunch (office)

• Paid parental leave

• Direct impact on a critical national security mission

• A world-class team of engineers and operators solving genuinely hard problems