Senior Forward Deployment Engineer – Strategic Customer Engagements & Defense Solutions at brighthush (U.S.)

About brighthush

At brighthush, we’re redefining how the world sees itself. By harnessing the power of space‑borne imaging and cutting‑edge data science, we deliver an unparalleled stream of high‑resolution, real‑time information that fuels decision‑making across commercial, environmental, and humanitarian sectors. Our constellation of satellites, paired with a cloud‑native platform, transforms raw data into actionable insights for governments, NGOs, and enterprises worldwide.

We are more than a space company; we are a data company, a technology partner, and a catalyst for change. Our mission is to empower organizations to solve the planet’s most pressing challenges—whether that means monitoring climate change, safeguarding national security, or supporting disaster response. If you’re passionate about technology that makes a tangible difference, brighthush is the place for you.

Why Join brighthush?

• Impactful Work – Your code will directly influence critical missions for defense and security customers.
• Innovation Culture – We blend hardware, software, and data science to create holistic solutions.
• Diverse, Inclusive Environment – We celebrate people from all backgrounds and encourage diverse perspectives.
• Career Growth – Rapid advancement opportunities, mentorship, and continuous learning.
• Competitive Compensation & Perks – Market‑aligned salary, equity, comprehensive benefits, and more.

Role Overview

As a Senior Forward Deployment Engineer, you will be the technical lead for brighthush’s most strategic accounts, starting with our Global Defense and Security portfolio. You will collaborate closely with key partners, translating ambiguous requirements into robust, production‑ready software. Your work will shape the future of our platform and directly support high‑stakes customer commitments.

This is a full‑time, hybrid role based in Arlington, VA. You will be expected to work from our office three days a week while enjoying the flexibility of remote work for the remaining days.

Key Responsibilities

• Full‑Lifecycle Ownership – From discovery and decomposition to design, implementation, testing, and deployment of bespoke solutions.
• Full‑Stack Development – Build scalable, cloud‑native services using Python, JavaScript, and other modern languages; design front‑end interfaces, back‑end APIs, and data pipelines.
• Cloud & DevOps Excellence – Architect and maintain AWS or GCP infrastructure, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing frameworks.
• Customer Collaboration – Engage directly with defense and security stakeholders to surface operational challenges and translate them into technical requirements.
• Pattern Discovery & Platform Enrichment – Analyze customer solutions to identify reusable patterns that inform broader platform evolution.
• AI‑First Mindset – Leverage the latest AI tools and frameworks to accelerate development, iterate rapidly, and deliver value quickly.
• Mentorship & Culture Building – Conduct code reviews, mentor junior engineers, and foster a collaborative, high‑performance engineering culture.
• Commitment Delivery – Ensure on‑time delivery of critical milestones to support key customer relationships and business objectives.

Essential Qualifications

• 6+ years of professional software engineering experience or equivalent technical role.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Proficiency in Python and experience building production‑grade services.
• Hands‑on experience with geospatial libraries such as Rasterio, Fiona, Shapely, GDAL, and OpenLayers.
• Strong background in cloud platforms (AWS preferred, GCP acceptable).
• Deep understanding of software engineering best practices: coding standards, code reviews, source control, unit/integration testing, and continuous integration.
• Excellent communication skills—able to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Experience with fast, iterative development cycles and the agility to adapt to shifting requirements.
• Willingness to travel 30–50% within the U.S. region to meet customers onsite.
• Active TS or TS/TSI security clearance (or ability to obtain one).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with JavaScript, Java, Go, or C#.
• Prior work with defense and security customer domains.
• Familiarity with AI/ML tooling and an AI‑first mindset.
• Knowledge of containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) and serverless architectures.
• Experience with data‑intensive pipelines and real‑time streaming.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Architectural Design & System Integration
• Cloud Engineering (AWS, GCP)
• Full‑Stack Development (Python, JavaScript, React/Vue)
• Geospatial Data Processing & Analysis
• CI/CD & DevOps Practices
• Agile & Scrum Methodologies
• Strong Problem‑Solving & Analytical Thinking
• Effective Cross‑Functional Collaboration
• Mentoring & Leadership
• Adaptability & Continuous Learning

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities

At brighthush, we believe that the best engineers are lifelong learners. As a Senior Forward Deployment Engineer, you will:

• Lead high‑impact projects that shape the future of our platform.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to our internal knowledge base.
• Participate in cross‑functional initiatives, including product strategy, data science, and hardware integration.
• Access to tuition reimbursement and a robust library of online courses (LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, etc.).
• Attend industry conferences, hackathons, and internal tech talks.
• Earn equity and performance bonuses that reward your contributions to the company’s success.

Work Environment & Culture

Our teams are distributed across the globe, but we maintain a strong sense of community through:

• Regular virtual town halls and team‑building events.
• Hybrid work model with flexible remote days.
• Inclusive hiring practices that celebrate diversity and belonging.
• Open communication channels and transparent decision‑making.
• Commitment to work‑life balance, with generous paid time off and parental leave.

Compensation & Benefits

While specific figures vary by location and experience, the U.S. base salary range for this role is $160,600–$200,800 USD. In addition, you may be eligible for:

• Short‑term and long‑term incentive plans (bonuses, equity).
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution.
• Generous paid time off, holidays, and company‑wide days off.
• 16 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Wellness program and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Home office reimbursement and monthly phone/internet stipend.
• Equity participation.
• Commuter benefits for local office employees.
• Volunteering paid time off.

How to Apply

Ready to make a difference? Click the link below to submit your application and join the brighthush team. We review applications on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Apply to This Job

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

brighthush is an equal‑opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, veterans, and underrepresented groups. If you require accommodations during the hiring process, please contact [email protected] and we’ll be happy to assist.

Privacy & Data Protection

We respect your privacy. By applying, you acknowledge that you have read our privacy notice and consent to the collection, processing, and storage of your personal information in accordance with applicable laws.

Final Thoughts

At brighthush, you’ll be part of a mission‑driven team that’s changing the way the world sees itself. If you’re a seasoned engineer who thrives on solving complex, high‑stakes problems, we want to hear from you. Bring your expertise, your curiosity, and your passion for making a difference, and help us build the next generation of space‑enabled solutions.

Apply today and join us on the journey to illuminate the planet—one satellite at a time.