Forward Deployed Software Engineer (TS/SCI Clearance)

Spectrum Search is partnered with a well-backed AI defence technology company seeking a Forward Deployed Software Engineer to own the delivery of mission-critical software into US government environments. About the opportunity The company builds software supporting defence and national security teams. This opportunity combines hands-on engineering with direct customer engagement, giving you ownership of technical decisions, deployment and ongoing delivery. You will work closely with operational users to understand their requirements, build practical solutions and put production software into use within complex government IT environments. The role As the technical owner for customer deployments, you will take projects from initial discovery and pilot development through to production deployment and sustainment. The team is considering engineers who can support pre-sales technical discovery and proof-of-concept development, alongside those with experience delivering software after a contract is secured. Both require strong coding fundamentals, sound technical judgement and the ability to work directly with government stakeholders. Key responsibilities Own software delivery from requirements gathering and architecture through to deployment, integration and ongoing support. Work directly with operators, intelligence analysts and government programme teams to translate operational needs into technical requirements. Scope and build pilots and proofs of concept that demonstrate practical value. Write production-quality backend code, with Python preferred. Develop solutions involving text, multimedia and geospatial data. Navigate government infrastructure, security controls and deployment constraints. Conduct user testing and use feedback to improve deployed software. Collaborate with product, design and platform engineering colleagues to resolve technical challenges. Essential requirements Strong software engineering capability, including backend development, algorithms and core coding fundamentals. Experience shipping and sustaining production software within US government or Department of Defense environments. Ability to understand full-stack systems and make sound architectural decisions. Evidence of owning technical projects from initial requirements through to delivery with minimal oversight. Experience working directly with operational users or government stakeholders. Clear communication skills, including the ability to explain technical decisions to non-technical audiences. Active US Top Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information eligibility. Technically exceptional candidates who are eligible and willing to obtain clearance may also be considered. US citizenship, as required for the clearance and customer environment. Willingness to travel to customer and classified operational sites. Nice-to-haves Python development experience. Familiarity with React, PostgreSQL, Redis and AWS S3. Knowledge of the Department of Defense Risk Management Framework. Experience with identity and access management, security information and event management, or cross-domain solutions. A background in forward deployed engineering, solutions architecture or customer-facing software delivery within defence technology. Location and remote setup Full-time, remote position based within the US, with approximately 20–30% domestic travel to customer and classified operational sites. Visa sponsorship is not available.