Forward Deployed Software Engineer

Forward Deployed Software Engineer

Swarm Aero is redefining air power, building the largest swarming UAV and 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:

We are seeking a Forward Deployed Software Engineer to serve as the critical bridge between our engineering team and customer deployments. This is a software-first role focused on integration, deployment automation, and ensuring our Command and Control (C2) systems run reliably in diverse production environments. You'll spend most of your time writing code, debugging software issues, and building tooling—not flying drones or managing hardware.

What You'll Do:

• Build deployment and integration tooling to streamline the installation and configuration of our C2 software across different customer environments and hardware configurations
• Debug complex distributed systems issues in the field, analyzing logs, network traffic, and system performance to resolve software failures quickly
• Develop automated test frameworks and scripts to validate software functionality, performance, and integration with third-party systems
• Write code daily to solve customer-specific integration challenges, create monitoring solutions, and improve deployment reliability
• Collaborate remotely and on-site with customers to understand their technical requirements and translate them into software solutions
• Travel to test sites (up to 75%) to ensure software deployments succeed, troubleshoot issues that arise, and gather requirements for engineering improvements
• Operate drones during testing (Part 107 license required) to validate software behavior, not as a primary pilot but as an engineer testing code

This Role Is For You If:

• You're a software engineer who wants to see your code run in high-stakes real-world environments
• You thrive on solving gnarly integration and deployment challenges
• You're comfortable being the technical expert in the field, independently debugging complex issues
• You enjoy customer interaction but prefer solving problems through code rather than PowerPoint

This Role Is NOT:

• A pilot position or flight test engineer role
• Primarily hands-on hardware work (electronics, wiring, mechanical assembly)
• A traditional SRE/DevOps role sitting in an office

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical field
• 3+ years of professional software engineering experience (or equivalent demonstrated ability)
• Strong proficiency in at least one major programming language (Python, C/C++, Golang, or Java)
• Solid understanding of networking fundamentals: NAT, DNS/mDNS, UDP/TCP protocols, multicast, firewall configuration
• Experience with Linux system administration and shell scripting
• Proven debugging skills with complex software systems—you know how to read logs, use debuggers, and trace issues systematically
• Excellent communication skills for engaging with technical customers and internal teams
• Willingness to travel up to 75% to customer sites and test locations
• Ability to obtain and maintain necessary security clearances

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) and infrastructure-as-code
• Background in distributed systems, real-time systems, or robotics software
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and deployment automation
• Experience in customer-facing engineering roles or technical sales engineering
• Understanding of embedded systems communication protocols (helpful but not required)
• Prior defense or aerospace software experience

Compensation Range:

• $175,000 - $220,000 + Equity 

What we Offer

• Meaningful equity stake in a high-growth defense technology company
• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401k
• PTO and Paid Sick Time
• Monthly Wellness Stipend
• Daily catered lunch to office
• Paid Parental leave
• Flexible work arrangement - remote/hybrid with regular collaboration in Oxnard & Seattle
• Direct impact opportunity - be a key leader in building a critical technology for national security
• World-class team - work alongside exceptional engineers and operators solving hard problems

As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and trustworthy work environment, Swarm Aero conducts a thorough screening of prospective employees. Candidates will be subject to a comprehensive background verification process as a prerequisite for employment.