> 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. # Senior Software Engineer - Mission Systems Integration Canonical URL: https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/21a20bbb36dc98d1 Redhorse posts a senior FDE role to build what the customer runs in US with no pay posted. Senior Software Engineer role focused on integrating and modernizing mission-critical tactical systems for defense and national security. Read from the employer’s posting on November 8, 2026. - [Redhorse](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/redhorse) Posted Aug 31, 2026 by Redhorse · open on Lever as of Nov 8, 2026 Pay not posted US Remote Full-time Senior Software Engineer role focused on integrating and modernizing mission-critical tactical systems for defense and national security. - [See roles that fit me](https://nextmove.md/sign-up?from=%2Ffde%2Fjobs%2F21a20bbb36dc98d1&placement=top) - [View posting at Redhorse](https://jobs.lever.co/redhorsecorp/6dda391e-5c80-4db9-8fb8-f51318bc3705/apply) 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 Not posted Senior FDE postings, 1,864 postings: the middle 50% of posted pay is $160K to $220K, median $190K. ### 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 **Up to 25%** - **Coding**: Writes production code - **Builds for**: External customers - **Level**: Senior - **Role**: Individual contributor ### What they ask for Experience - **7+ years** professional software engineering and systems integration - **3+ years** hands-on technical experience within the TAK protocol ecosystem Background - **Software engineering** - **Implementation and data engineering** ### Do you meet what the posting states? The posting asks for 3+ years. How many do you have? The posting reads as a senior role. What level are you at now? The work is remote from the US. Can you work from the US? 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**: US - **Work arrangement**: Remote - **Employment type**: Full-time - **Travel**: Up to 25% ## More like this [Matter Labs](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/matter-labs) ### [Product Engineer, Forward Deployed](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/e2bcc38e08058add) US Remote 7w ago Pay not posted [Lumin Digital](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/lumin-digital) ### [Senior Software Implementation Engineer - Phase 1](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/723e734fed660126) US Remote New · 2d ago $145,000–$165,000 [Bitmovin](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/bitmovin) ### [Senior Software Engineer (US Deployment/Relocation from Europe)](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/d6ed0fb20d9e5599) Denver, CO Remote 3mo ago Pay not posted - [Other jobs at Redhorse (1)](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/redhorse) ## The job description from Redhorse Posted by Redhorse on Aug 31, 2026 ### About the Organization Now is a great time to join Redhorse Corporation. We are a solution-driven company delivering data insights and technology solutions to customers with missions critical to U.S. national interests. We’re looking for thoughtful, skilled professionals who thrive as trusted partners building technology-agnostic solutions and want to apply their talents supporting customers with difficult and important mission sets. ### About the Role Redhorse transforms the way government uses data and technology. To support this mission, we are seeking a Senior Software Engineer – Mission Systems Integrations to drive the development, integration, and modernization of mission-critical tactical systems for defense and national security stakeholders. In this role, you will be the technical integration backbone bridging tactical-edge operations with enterprise-scale data platforms. You will design, build, and deploy high-performance software solutions leveraging the TAK (Tactical Assault Kit / Team Awareness Kit) ecosystem and Cursor on Target (CoT) architectures, directly enhancing real-time situational awareness and decision advantage for operators in high-stakes environments. ### Key Responsibilities - Design, develop, and integrate custom plugins, services, and middleware within the TAK ecosystem (ATAK, WinTAK, TAK Server, and MILTAK). - Architect and implement Cursor on Target (CoT) data schemas, translations, and event-routing pipelines between tactical devices and enterprise cloud systems. - Configure, scale, deploy, and maintain TAK Server instances across diverse on-premise, edge, and cloud operating environments. - Build reliable, low-latency APIs and data ingestion pipelines to ingest multi-source sensor and intelligence feeds into tactical situational awareness interfaces. - Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams, product managers, and government stakeholders to translate operational mission requirements into scalable technical solutions. - Implement automated CI/CD pipelines, containerized deployments, and rigorous testing frameworks for edge-deployed mission software. - Troubleshoot complex tactical network, protocol, and integration issues across heterogeneous environments. ### Required Experience/Clearance - Active DoD Secret clearance with eligibility to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance. - Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent practical experience). - 7+ years of professional software engineering and systems integration experience. - 3+ years of hands-on technical experience within the TAK protocol ecosystem, including Cursor on Target (CoT) messaging, TAK Server configuration/management, and ATAK/WinTAK/MILTAK integration. - Strong proficiency in at least two core programming languages: Java/Kotlin (Android/TAK Server plugins), C#/.NET (WinTAK), C++, or Python. - Proven experience with network protocols, real-time messaging systems (WebSockets, TCP/UDP, ZeroMQ, MQTT), and data serialization formats (XML, JSON, Protocol Buffers). - Experience working with version control systems (e.g., Git/GitLab) and containerization technologies (e.g., Docker). - Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% to customer sites, test events, and field integration exercises as needed. ### Desired Experience We encourage all candidates who meet the basic requirements to apply, even if you do not have any of the following experience: - Experience developing custom ATAK Android plugins using the ATAK Plugin SDK. - Familiarity with tactical data links (e.g., Link 16, VMF, SADL) and defense geospatial formats (e.g., KML/KMZ, GeoTIFF, NITF). - Hands-on experience deploying TAK Server or mission applications in cloud environments (AWS GovCloud, Microsoft Azure Government). - Experience with container orchestration (Kubernetes) and infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, Ansible). - Knowledge of DoD cybersecurity policies, STIG compliance, and Risk Management Framework (RMF) standards. The salary range provided for this position represents the anticipated base salary for successful candidates. Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, education, certifications, skills, security clearance level, geographic location, market conditions, and internal equity. In addition to base salary, eligible employees may participate in Redhorse's comprehensive benefits programs and may be eligible for performance-based or other incentive compensation, where applicable. Redhorse Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Talent Acquisition at Talent-Acquisition@redhorsecorp.com Redhorse Corporation shall, in its discretion, modify or adjust the position to meet Redhorse’s changing needs. This job description is not a contract and may be adjusted as deemed appropriate in Redhorse’s sole discretion. [View posting at Redhorse](https://jobs.lever.co/redhorsecorp/6dda391e-5c80-4db9-8fb8-f51318bc3705/apply) ## About Redhorse Digital transformation and AI/data platforms for DoD, intelligence, and federal agencies tackling mission-critical challenges in national security. Late-stage private · 500–1000 people ## Similar jobs [One Brief](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/one-brief) ### [Forward Deployed Engineer](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/0eec61fd86601664) US Remote 3w ago $180,000–$255,000 [Smartsheet](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/smartsheet) ### [Solutions Architect](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/2f2a1aa02d3af7a5) US Remote 2mo ago $127,500–$165,000 [VetsEZ](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/vetsez) ### [Senior AI Application Engineer (Remote Opportunity)](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/68b6265a8888a342) Dallas, TX Remote 2w ago Pay not posted [Overland AI](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/overland-ai) ### [Software Engineer - Autonomy Integration and Deployment](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/7c484e9b1f45ca7f) Seattle, WA Remote 2w ago $140,000–$300,000 [Tines](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/tines) ### [Senior Forward Deployed Engineer - Public Sector](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/0176bb4b867a420b) US Remote 5w ago $220,000–$240,000 · OTE - [Compare senior FDE salary ranges](https://nextmove.md/fde/salary/senior) - [Similar jobs that build what the customer runs](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs?role=builds-for-customers) Hiring at Redhorse and want this page changed or removed? Email info@nextmove.md and we take it down. Employer postings · [How we read postings](https://nextmove.md/fde/method)