Field Software Engineer

About the role

Description

Sensors don't fail in the lab — they fail in the field, usually at the worst possible moment, in front of the customer. That's where you come in.

OKSI builds electro-optical, infrared, and autonomous sensor systems that the Department of War depends on in the field. As our Field Support Engineer, you'll be the person who gets those systems running when it matters — traveling to test ranges and customer sites, diagnosing problems other people can't, and representing OKSI's engineering directly to the people who use what we build. This is a hands-on, high-trust, high-visibility role: not an entry-level position, and not a desk job.

At OKSI, we believe in owning problems end to end — from first concept through final delivery. We see it through! If you're looking for a place where you can take real ownership, stretch your skills, a place to grow your career while owning meaningful, mission-driven work, this is where you belong!

Why This Role

Direct impact: your fixes and field reports shape how OKSI's next systems get built — you'll work shoulder-to-shoulder with the same engineers who designed the hardware and software you're supporting.

Ownership from day one: as the on-site technical authority, you make the calls that keep a deployment running, without layers of process to work through.

Variety: no two deployments look the same — one week it's an embedded software issue, the next it's a mechanical fix in the field, the next it's briefing a government program office.

Small-company visibility: at a small company, your work is seen and known — not buried in a large program's org chart.

What You Will Do

Field Deployment & Support

Travel to customer sites, test ranges, and program locations to install, configure, operate, and maintain sensor, software, and autonomous platform systems

Conduct pre-deployment checks and prepare field kits, hardware, and software builds for mission readiness

Software & Hardware Troubleshooting

Diagnose and resolve software-level issues in fielded systems, including embedded software, ATAK-integrated applications, and AI/ML-enabled sensor pipelines

Diagnose and resolve mechanical, electromechanical, and hardware issues, performing component-level repairs and adjustments in the field

Customer Engagement & Reporting

Serve as the on-site technical point of contact for customers and government program personnel

Document field issues and performance outcomes; report findings back to Software and Mechanical Engineering teams

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related technical discipline

Minimum 4 years of combined software and mechanical engineering experience, including field service, test & evaluation, or military UAS/sensor system roles

Required proficiency in at least one programming language (Python, C++, C, or MATLAB) and CAD tools (SolidWorks, AutoCAD)

Working knowledge of Linux-based systems and command-line operations

Ability to obtain a Department of Defense Secret clearance

Willingness and ability to travel extensively (60–70%), including to austere field conditions

Preferred Qualifications

Experience supporting defense-related systems, UAS platforms, sensors, or AI-enabled technologies

Prior experience as a field service engineer or test engineer

Experience with ATAK plugin architecture/APIs or computer vision/ML model integration

ITAR/export control experience

Logistics & Travel

Willingness and ability to travel extensively (60–70%), including to austere field conditions

Must have a valid drivers license

May work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as business needs dictate

Compensation And Benefits

$110,000 - $140,000 annually. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint depending on qualifications and the budget allocated for this role.

Medical, dental, vision fully paid by the employer for the employee

Three weeks vacation

Automatic company contribution to 401K – 5% of earned wages (no matching required)

Educational assistance

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C.

1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C.

1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

We are an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in the application and hiring process.

This employer participates in E-Verify.