> AI agents: this is one page of Nextmove’s FDE site, in Markdown. Nextmove is a job board and free career service for forward deployed engineers (FDEs). Each posting is classified from its text, not its title: the kind of work, how much of it is production code, pre-sales weight, time at customer sites, travel, remote arrangement, level and posted base pay. The site also publishes the aggregates: median pay by level, metro, company and kind of work, and which companies started hiring FDEs each week. Every page under https://nextmove.md/fde is served this way; the index of pages is https://nextmove.md/llms.txt. # Forward Deployed Software Engineer Canonical URL: https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/1229d389bf76fbbb Overland AI posts a FDE role to build what the customer runs in Seattle, WA and 1 more, at $140,000–$180,000 base, below the not stated FDE median of $180,000 across 50 postings with pay. Deploys, troubleshoots, and iterates on autonomous ground-vehicle software in operational environments, working directly on vehicles and with end users. Read from the employer’s posting on November 8, 2026. - [Overland AI](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/overland-ai) First seen Oct 24, 2026 · open on Rippling as of Nov 8, 2026 **$140,000–$180,000** Seattle, WA +1 On-site Deploys, troubleshoots, and iterates on autonomous ground-vehicle software in operational environments, working directly on vehicles and with end users. - [See roles that fit me](https://nextmove.md/sign-up?from=%2Ffde%2Fjobs%2F1229d389bf76fbbb&placement=top) - [View posting at Overland AI](https://ats.rippling.com/overland-ai/jobs/df544bf7-479d-44eb-9805-683581c579e8) Free. Upload your resume once, see why each FDE role fits, and get introduced only when you say so. ## At a glance ### Posted base pay $140K–$180K Below the median Midpoint $160K · median $180K This job $140K to $180K. Not stated FDE postings, 50 postings: the middle 50% of posted pay is $151K to $204K, median $180K. ### The work Builds what the customer runs Balance **Mostly building** Project stages 1. Pre-sales (not covered) 2. Proof of concept (not covered) 3. Implementation 4. Operations Travel **Required, amount not stated** - **Coding**: Writes production code - **Builds for**: External customers - **Role**: Individual contributor ### What they ask for Experience - **5+ years** Equivalent professional experience as an alternative to a bachelor's degree ### Do you meet what the posting states? The posting asks for 5+ years. How many do you have? The job is in Seattle, WA · San Francisco, CA. Could you work in one of these? Which of these have you used in production? Answer each one. Nothing is saved or sent. [What postings ask for, by background →](https://nextmove.md/fde/paths) ## Conditions - **Location**: Seattle, WA · San Francisco, CA - **Work arrangement**: On-site - **Remote work restrictions**: Based out of the Seattle or San Francisco headquarters when not traveling; frequent extended travel to test sites, customer locations, and operational events CONUS and OCONUS. - **Travel**: Travel required, amount not stated - **Pay**: ## More like this [Trase Systems](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/trase-systems) ### [Senior/Staff Full Stack Software Engineer, Federal](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/7ed8dedeb53c35c2) Seattle, WA · Mclean, VA Remote 9d ago $180,000–$240,000 [Neural Concept](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/neural-concept) ### [Forward Deployed Engineer (US, West Coast)](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/235ab7ad735a77f2) San Francisco, CA Hybrid 3w ago $125,000–$200,000 [LMI](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/lmi) ### [Forward Deployed Engineer - Clearance Required](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/03a5618294a2164f) Tacoma, WA Hybrid 2w ago $146,000–$253,000 - [Other jobs at Overland AI (1)](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/overland-ai) ## The job description from Overland AI ### About Overland AI Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Overland AI is transforming land operations for modern defense. The company leverages over a decade of advanced research in robotics and machine learning, as well as a field-test forward ethos, to deliver combined capabilities for unit commanders. Our OverDrive autonomy stack enables ground vehicles to navigate and operate off-road in any terrain without GPS or direct operator control. Our intuitive OverWatch C2 interface provides commanders with precise coordination capabilities essential for mission success. Overland AI has secured funding from prominent defense tech investors including 8VC and Point 72, and built trusted partnerships with DARPA, the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and Special Operations Command. Backed by eight-figure contracts across the Department of Defense, we are strengthening national security by iterating closely with end users engaged in tactical operations. ### Role Summary We are looking for a field-forward, Software Engineer to deploy, operate, sustain, and iterate on autonomous ground-vehicle software systems in real operational environments. This role is ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of software development and field operations, is comfortable debugging systems live on vehicles, and enjoys working directly with end users to deliver mission-ready autonomy. This is not a desk-only role. You will spend significant time deployed at test sites, customer locations, and operational events, working hands-on with autonomous systems, diagnosing software and system-level issues, and ensuring platforms perform reliably in challenging, real-world conditions. ### What You'll Do **Deploy and Field-Test Systems:** Deploy, configure, and evaluate autonomy software on uncrewed ground vehicles in real-world environments. When not traveling, you will support system integration, simulation, and field testing between our Seattle and Central Washington State locations. **Sustain and Troubleshoot:** Debug and resolve software, autonomy, networking, and system-integration issues during deployments, often under time pressure and in resource-constrained environments. Work directly on vehicles alongside hardware engineers to diagnose failures and implement practical fixes to keep systems operational. **Develop and Iterate:** Contribute to autonomy, perception, and system-level software development. Incorporate feedback from field operations and end users to rapidly improve reliability, performance, and usability. **Collaborate Across Teams:** Partner closely with hardware engineers, autonomy engineers, product, and program managers to ensure seamless deployment and alignment with mission and end-user needs. **Document and Analyze:** Maintain clear documentation of field performance, bugs, and lessons learned. Provide actionable recommendations to improve software robustness and operational readiness. **Train and Support Users:** Act as an on-site technical expert, training operators and users on system behavior, limitations, and troubleshooting. Support operational readiness before and during deployments. ### Minimum Requirements - Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, or 5–8 years of equivalent professional experience. - Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DoD security clearance. ### Desired Experience & Qualifications - Strong software engineering fundamentals with experience deploying systems beyond the lab. - Proficiency in Python and/or C++. - Experience working in Linux-based environments, including debugging software in the field. - Familiarity with robotics and autonomous systems (e.g., ROS, autonomy stacks, distributed systems). - Experience integrating software with real-world hardware systems (sensors, compute, networking). - Understanding of autonomous system sensors such as LiDAR and cameras. - Comfort debugging complex, system-level issues involving software, hardware, and networking. - Ability to operate independently in challenging environments, including adverse weather and remote locations. - Thrive in dynamic, cross-functional teams and small startup environments. - Experience deploying software in defense technology, deep tech, robotics, or startup environments. - Prior experience supporting software during live demos, tests, or operational events. - Willingness to co-locate at testing sites or military installations for extended periods, both CONUS and OCONUS. ### Location This can sit out of Seattle, WA or San Francisco, CA When not traveling, you will be based out of our Seattle or San Francisco headquarters. Frequent, extended travel is expected (>50%), including time at test sites, customer locations, and operational events, both CONUS and OCONUS. ### Compensation and Benefits Pay Range: $140,000 - $180,000 annually *Actual level and base salary will be* *determined* *on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.* Overland AI believes in creating a work environment that you look forward to embracing every day. Benefits include: - Equity compensation - Best-in-class healthcare, dental and vision plans - Flexible PTO - 401k with company match - Parental leave * **Overland AI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, protected veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable law.*** * **This position may involve access to export-controlled technology. Employment is contingent on the ability to comply with U.S. export control laws.*** * **Overland AI provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans during the application process. Please contact [peopleops@overland.ai*** * **]*** * ** to request an accommodation.*** [View posting at Overland AI](https://ats.rippling.com/overland-ai/jobs/df544bf7-479d-44eb-9805-683581c579e8) ## About Overland AI Builds autonomous ground vehicles, retrofit autonomy kits, and command software for off-road defense and other field missions. ## Similar jobs [S32](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/s32) ### [Solutions Engineer (Portfolio)](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/7df150a64263cbbf) Palo Alto, CA 4mo ago $130,000–$180,000 [Intrinsic](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/intrinsic) ### [Customer Success Engineer, Robotics Software and Automation](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/5e372b3dfdcb4c14) Mountain View, CA 4mo ago $132,000–$180,400 [Aurelian](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/aurelian) ### [Forward Deployed Engineer](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/4261eb924e4d3dcb) Seattle, WA On-site New · 5d ago $100,000–$120,000 [Medra](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/medra) ### [Forward Deployed Robotics Engineer](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/8d9b4f103b1afb83) San Francisco, CA On-site 11d ago $130,000–$210,000 [Hive](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/hive) ### [Forward Deployed Software Engineer](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/d280fa23305a2516) San Francisco, CA On-site 3w ago $120,000–$200,000 - [Compare US FDE salary ranges](https://nextmove.md/fde/salary) - [Similar jobs in SF Bay Area](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs?region=sf-bay-area) - [Similar jobs that build what the customer runs](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs?role=builds-for-customers) Hiring at Overland AI and want this page changed or removed? 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