Senior Forward Deployed Engineer

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Clearance Requirement

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Research Innovations, Inc. (RII) is breaking through the big, slow status quo with transformative technology that fundamentally improves the world. We build advanced software solutions for government and military missions, applying agile development and user-centered design to solve complex, mission-critical problems.

RII is seeking a Forward Deployed Engineer to support global fielding of our Tactical NetOps solution. This role is ideal for a technically strong, mission-driven individual who thrives in tactical environments, operates independently, and bridges the gap between engineering and real-world deployment. You will work directly with operational users while collaborating with engineering teams to continuously improve system performance, usability, and mission impact.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

• Travel frequently (up to 60%) to military installations to support system fielding, integration, and training
• Install, configure, and validate software across distributed physical systems in austere environments
• Partner with operators and soldiers to tailor system configurations to mission needs
• Troubleshoot complex system and network issues and drive resolution to completion
• Conduct root cause analysis and document findings for continuous improvement
• Collaborate with engineering teams to identify bugs, influence design decisions, and implement enhancements
• Validate system performance against operational use cases and evolving mission requirements
• Develop and improve training materials, technical documentation, and field guides
• Deliver clear, concise briefings and reports to customers and internal stakeholders
• Support test events, exercises, and deployments, ensuring system readiness and reliability

Travel frequently (up to 60%) to military installations to support system fielding, integration, and training

Install, configure, and validate software across distributed physical systems in austere environments

Partner with operators and soldiers to tailor system configurations to mission needs

Troubleshoot complex system and network issues and drive resolution to completion

Conduct root cause analysis and document findings for continuous improvement

Collaborate with engineering teams to identify bugs, influence design decisions, and implement enhancements

Validate system performance against operational use cases and evolving mission requirements

Develop and improve training materials, technical documentation, and field guides

Deliver clear, concise briefings and reports to customers and internal stakeholders

Support test events, exercises, and deployments, ensuring system readiness and reliability

WHAT YOU HAVE DONE

• 6+ years of experience in military tactical environments with understanding of Army signal operations
• Experience in Systems Administration, DevOps, or Networking
• Strong experience with Linux-based systems and Kubernetes/containerized environments
• Hands-on experience with virtualization technologies (e.g., ESXi, vSphere)
• Solid understanding of Layer 2/Layer 3 networking (VLANs, subnetting, VPNs, DNS)
• Experience with network monitoring and management protocols (SNMP, Syslog, NETCONF)
• Proven ability to operate independently in high-tempo, mission-critical environments
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical problem-solving skills
• Experience interfacing directly with end users in operational settings

6+ years of experience in military tactical environments with understanding of Army signal operations

Experience in Systems Administration, DevOps, or Networking

Strong experience with Linux-based systems and Kubernetes/containerized environments

Hands-on experience with virtualization technologies (e.g., ESXi, vSphere)

Solid understanding of Layer 2/Layer 3 networking (VLANs, subnetting, VPNs, DNS)

Experience with network monitoring and management protocols (SNMP, Syslog, NETCONF)

Proven ability to operate independently in high-tempo, mission-critical environments

Strong troubleshooting and analytical problem-solving skills

Experience interfacing directly with end users in operational settings

EVEN BETTER

• Experience supporting Program of Record (POR) fielding activities
• Prior experience embedded with operational units during exercises or deployments
• Familiarity with Army tactical communications infrastructure
• Experience in Agile software development environments
• Background in training development and delivery
• Prior military service
• Experience with tools and technologies such as:RHEL, K3s, K9sESXi, vSphereArgo CD, Zarf packages
• RHEL, K3s, K9s
• ESXi, vSphere
• Argo CD, Zarf packages
• Experience supporting fielded operational systems lifecycle (deployment → sustainment)

Experience supporting Program of Record (POR) fielding activities

Prior experience embedded with operational units during exercises or deployments

Familiarity with Army tactical communications infrastructure

Experience in Agile software development environments

Background in training development and delivery

Prior military service

Experience with tools and technologies such as:

RHEL, K3s, K9s

ESXi, vSphere

Argo CD, Zarf packages

Experience supporting fielded operational systems lifecycle (deployment → sustainment)