Forward Deployed Engineer

About the role

This is a U.S. based position. All of the programs we support require U.S. citizenship to be eligible for employment. All work must be conducted within the continental U.S.

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Who we are:

Raft (https://TeamRaft.com) is a customer-obsessed non-traditional defense tech company dedicated to empowering U.S. military and government agencies with cutting-edge AI/ML and data solutions. We are a leader in autonomous data fusion and Agentic AI, with a purposeful focus on Distributed Data Systems, Platforms at Scale, and Complex Application Development. With headquarters in McLean, VA, our range of clients includes innovative federal and public agencies leveraging design thinking, cutting-edge tech stack, and cloud-native ecosystem. We build digital solutions that impact the lives of millions of Americans.

About the role:

We're seeking a talented Forward Deployed Engineer to serve as the technical face of our organization in Huntsville, AL. This role combines deep engineering expertise with strong interpersonal skills to support mission-critical production systems in a forward-deployed environment. You'll be the go-to technical expert for our customers, troubleshooting complex system issues and ensuring operational excellence.

What You'll Do:

Serve as the primary technical liaison between our engineering teams and forward-deployed customers

Troubleshoot and debug production systems at the system level, ensuring maximum uptime and performance

Deploy, maintain, and support containerized applications in Kubernetes environments

Provide expert-level technical support for CICD pipelines and container orchestration platforms

Diagnose and resolve complex technical issues across diverse technology stacks

Collaborate with backend engineering teams to implement solutions and improvements

Support operational deployments and maintain system reliability in production environments

Interface directly with customer stakeholders in secure environments

Required Qualifications

Strong engineering background with proven experience deploying and supporting production systems

Solid understanding of software engineering principles and practices

Hands-on experience with Kubernetes debugging and troubleshooting

Expertise in CICD tools and methodologies

Demonstrated ability in system-level debugging across multiple platforms

Broad technical knowledge spanning various technologies and architectures

Excellent communication skills with ability to interface effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders

Outgoing personality with strong customer-facing capabilities

Desired Qualifications

Prior experience working in SCIF environments or with cleared customers

Previous INDOPACOM experience or familiarity with the region

Kubernetes certifications (CKA - Certified Kubernetes Administrator or CKAD - Certified Kubernetes Application Developer)

Experience with OpenShift or other Kubernetes distributions

Background supporting DoD or federal government customers

Familiarity with containerization technologies and cloud-native architectures

Clearance Requirements:

Active Secret with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance

Work Type:

Onsite in Huntsville, AL

May require up to 25% travel to both CONUS and OCONUS locations (Must possess a valid, active US passport with at least six months validity beyond intended period of employment to facilitate international travel and meet security requirements for government contracts.)

Salary Range: $110,000 - $200,000

The determination of compensation is predicated upon a candidate's comprehensive experience, demonstrated skill, and proven abilities

What we will offer you:

Highly competitive salary

Fully covered healthcare, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) and company match

Take as you need PTO + 11 paid holidays

Education & training benefits

Generous Referral Bonuses

And More!

Our Vision Statement:

We bridge the gap between humans and data through radical transparency and our obsession with the mission.

Our Customer Obsession:

We will approach every deliverable like it's a product. We will adopt a customer-obsessed mentality. As we grow, and our footprint becomes larger, teams and employees will treat each other not only as teammates but customers. We must live the customer-obsessed mindset, always. This will help us scale and it will translate to the interactions that our Rafters have with their clients and other product teams that they integrate with. Our culture will enable our success and set us apart from other companies.

How do we get there?

Public-sector modernization is critical for us to live in a better world. We, at Raft, want to innovate and solve complex problems. And, if we are successful, our generation and the ones that follow us will live in a delightful, efficient, and accessible world where out-of-box thinking, and collaboration is a norm.

Raft’s core philosophy is Ubuntu: I Am, Because We are. We support our “nadi” by elevating the other Rafters. We work as a hyper collaborative team where each team member brings a unique perspective, adding value that did not exist before. People make Raft special. We celebrate each other and our cognitive and cultural diversity. We are devoted to our practice of innovation and collaboration.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.