> 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 Engineer

Canonical URL: https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/3c5a59c2826f0e93

Auterion posts a FDE role to build what the customer runs in San Francisco, CA with no pay posted. Forward Deployed Engineer developing, integrating, troubleshooting, and deploying autonomous drone systems across embedded software, cloud infrastructure, avionics, and flight operations. Read from the employer’s posting on November 8, 2026.

- [Auterion](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/auterion)

Posted Sep 29, 2026 by Auterion · open on Greenhouse as of Nov 8, 2026

Pay not posted San Francisco, CA

Forward Deployed Engineer developing, integrating, troubleshooting, and deploying autonomous drone systems across embedded software, cloud infrastructure, avionics, and flight operations.

- [See roles that fit me](https://nextmove.md/sign-up?from=%2Ffde%2Fjobs%2F3c5a59c2826f0e93&placement=top)
- [View posting at Auterion](https://auterion.com/company/careers-open-position/8855164002?gh_jid=8855164002)

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 (not covered)

Travel **Required, amount not stated**

- **Coding**: Writes production code

- **Builds for**: External customers

- **Level**: Senior

- **Role**: Technical lead

### What they ask for

Experience

- **5+ years** software engineering experience

Background

- **Software engineering**

### Do you meet what the posting states?

The posting asks for 5+ years. How many do you have?

The posting reads as a senior role. What level are you at now?

The job is in San Francisco, CA. Could you work there?

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**: San Francisco, CA

- **Travel**: Travel required, amount not stated

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## The job description from Auterion

Posted by Auterion on Sep 29, 2026

As a Forward Deployed Engineer at Auterion, you will develop, integrate, and deploy Auterion-powered drone systems, working across embedded software, cloud infrastructure, avionics, and flight operations.

You’ll act as a technical interface for customers and partners, translating mission requirements into practical solutions using AuterionOS, Skynode, and PX4. This is a hands-on role involving software development, system integration, troubleshooting, and field testing.

### Responsibilities and Duties

- Develop and maintain edge software in C/C++ and Python on Linux-based platforms such as Jetson and Skynode.
- Build containerized services using Docker and integrate edge systems with cloud infrastructure.
- Implement reliable communication and data pipelines using REST, gRPC, MQTT, WebSockets, and MAVLink.
- Manage firmware flashing, vehicle configuration, sensor calibration, system bring-up, and software releases.
- Integrate and troubleshoot avionics, sensors, payloads, communications, and other vehicle systems.
- Participate in flight testing, customer demonstrations, system validation, and field deployments.
- Diagnose and resolve hardware, software, networking, and Linux integration issues.
- Collaborate with hardware, firmware, cloud, production, operations, and QC teams.
- Act as a technical lead in customer engagements and translate mission requirements into system solutions.
- Contribute to CI/CD, testing, documentation, cybersecurity, and continuous engineering improvements.
- Feed customer and field requirements back into product and engineering teams.
- Travel as needed for integration, testing, and customer deployments.

### Qualifications and Skills

- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software, Electrical, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Aviation, or a related field.
- 5+ years of software engineering experience, with strong C/C++ and Python skills on Linux.
- Experience with embedded, edge, companion-computer, or IoT platforms.
- Experience with PX4 or similar autopilot systems; MAVLink experience is a plus.
- Understanding of networking and embedded protocols such as CAN, I2C, SPI, TCP/IP.
- Experience with Docker, cloud APIs, distributed systems, and CI/CD.
- Familiarity with UAV flight testing, avionics, flight control, and hardware/software integration.
- Strong troubleshooting, communication, and customer-facing skills.
- Comfortable working independently in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.
- Passion for drones and autonomous systems.
- Willingness to travel.
- U.S. citizenship required; eligibility for Secret clearance preferred.

### Benefits

- Flexible working hours
- Stock Options
- Unlimited PTO
- Health Insurance (includes dental & vision)
- Medical flex spending
- Life Insurance
- Retirement Plan - 401k
- Enhanced maternity & paternity leave
- Learning and development opportunities

### About Auterion

We are building the leading software platform for AI-powered autonomous systems for enterprise and government customers. Our team is supporting the most important missions and solving the most challenging problems.

At Auterion, we bring together the sharpest minds who love to solve the hardest problems. Join a vibrant team built on innovation, openness, and excellence, where you’ll be empowered to develop ideas, collaborate across all levels, and make an impact that matters.

[View posting at Auterion](https://auterion.com/company/careers-open-position/8855164002?gh_jid=8855164002)

## About Auterion

Vendor-agnostic operating system and autonomy stack for drones and robotic fleets, sold to OEMs and allied defense users for interoperable, software-defined operations.

Series B · 100–200 people

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