> 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. # Lead Mission Engineer - Full Stack Canonical URL: https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/473a8eb7a795e70f STR posts a FDE role to build what the customer runs in Denver, CO and 3 more, at $175,000–$240,000 base, above the senior FDE median of $190,000 across 1,863 postings with pay. Leads full-stack software teams delivering mission-critical applications for military and government customers in secure DoD and intelligence environments. Read from the employer’s posting on November 6, 2026. - [STR](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/str) Updated November 6, 2026 **$175,000–$240,000** Denver, CO · San Diego, CA · +2 more 6w ago Leads full-stack software teams delivering mission-critical applications for military and government customers in secure DoD and intelligence environments. - [See roles that fit me](https://nextmove.md/sign-up?from=%2Ffde%2Fjobs%2F473a8eb7a795e70f&placement=top) - [View posting at STR](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/systemstechnologyresearch/jobs/4715466006) Free for you. Upload your resume once, see which FDE postings fit you and why, and get introduced when you say so. We never share your profile with employers without your permission. ## At a glance ### Posted base pay $175K–$240K Above the median This job $175K to $240K. Typical senior FDE pay, the middle 50% of 1,863 postings: $160K to $220K, median $190K. ### The work Builds what the customer runs Balance 1. Mostly building 2. Mixed 3. Mostly pre-sales or support Project stages 1. Pre-sales (not covered) 2. Proof of concept 3. Implementation 4. Operations Travel **Required, amount not stated** - **Coding**: Writes production code - **Builds for**: External customers - **Level**: Senior - **Role**: Technical lead ### What they ask for Experience - **7+ years** work experience with a BS in Computer Science or related technical field ### Do you meet what the posting states? The posting asks for 7+ years. How many do you have? The job is in Denver, CO · San Diego, CA · +2 more. 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) ## More like this [Amazon (incl AWS)](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/amazon-incl-aws) ### [Sr Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE), AWS Forward Deployed Engineering, US Government](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/9f1c2b67db2daf1a) Denver, CO · Jessup, MD · +4 more New · Yesterday $168,100–$250,200 [Scale AI](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/scale-ai) ### [Forward Deployed Software Engineer, Public Sector](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/8aaf633606393a76) Austin, TX · Colorado Springs, CO · +4 more Hybrid 25mo ago $138,000–$292,560 [First Resonance](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/first-resonance) ### [Forward Deployed Software Engineer (New England Area)](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/473c461a80ccbf80) Providence, RI · Boston, MA · +1 more Hybrid 2mo ago $145,000–$175,000 - [Other jobs at STR (6)](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/str) ## The job description from STR Posted by STR on Sep 22, 2026 ### About the Team Information processing and sense-making systems are the lifeblood of national security efforts, facilitating an understanding of the global situation, strategic planning, and tactical execution. The reliability, accessibility, and sophistication of these systems can determine the outcomes of conflicts before they begin. STR’s Analytics and Command & Control (AC2) Division focuses on developing actionable, advanced technology solutions to provide asymmetric advantages within the information domain. The Mission Applications (MA) Group within the AC2 Division specializes in ensuring the technology that STR creates produces outsized mission impact. Staff within the MA group have a deep understanding of missions and technology needs for national security with skills targeting transition of technology to operational use, including product management, UX Product implementation, software integration & mission engineering, platform engineering, DevOps, and program management. MA staff combine with other science and engineering staff from the various STR research and development groups to form dedicated product teams focused on accelerating the operational transition of cutting-edge software technologies. ### The Role As a Mission Engineer (Full Stack) in the Mission Applications Group, you will develop and deploy software essential for a specific, real-world objective or "mission" in partnership with our customers. You have: 1) expertise in developing and deploying software solutions in complex and high-security environments, 2) deep domain knowledge in the complex missions executed across the Department of Defense, and 3) expertise in modern frameworks, building full stack applications, and integrating APIs for deployment in high-security environments. You will work as a leader of software teams to design, develop, and maintain software systems deployed in operational use. You have experience managing customer relationships while simultaneously leading engineering teams to ensure the delivered product meets the highest standards of quality, reliability, and performance. ### What you will do - Build Prototype Capabilities: Break down use cases and user-defined problems, build an MVP, and rapidly evolve a solution into a cohesive application - Develop and Enhance Features: Create high-performance, visually appealing frontend solutions that handle complex use cases effectively. Ensure the product is fast, smooth, and intuitive to use, even under heavy load - System Integration: Leading cross functional engineering teams to design, build, and deploy a cohesive system. Integrate independent capabilities into existing solutions - Customer Collaboration: Working closely with end-users and customers, who are typically military or Government operators, to understand their requirements and translate them into software features. You are experienced in product discovery best practices - Deployment and Field Testing: Traveling to integration sites to deploy, test, and triage software in secure operational environments. On average, travel to customer sites should not exceed one week per month ### Who You Are - Active Secret Security Clearance with the ability to obtain Top Secret level with SCI Eligibility - BS in Computer Science or related technical field with at least 7 years of work experience. Equivalent experience will be considered - Experience deploying software for DoD or IC missions - A passion for crafting user-centric interfaces and a keen eye for design details - Demonstrated strong knowledge of modern technologies such as React, TypeScript, and Python - Knowledge of performance-focused tools and techniques for rendering large datasets and building responsive, smooth interfaces - A demonstrated ability to adopt new languages, libraries, and technologies - Organized, detail-oriented, and with an ability to work both independently and collaboratively - Demonstrated experience as an effective communicator to both technical and non-technical audiences ### Even Better - Advanced Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related technical field - Prior US Military Service with experience in joint planning, large force battle monitoring, and fluidity with large force debrief best practices - Located in San Diego, CA, Denver, CO, Arlington, VA, or Boston, MA, or willing to relocate **Pay Information** Full-Time Salary Range: $175,000 - $240,000 *The salary range listed is based on external market data. Offers are based on factors, such as but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, training, key skills/critical skills, security clearances, and prevailing market and business conditions.* STR is a growing technology company with locations near Boston, MA, Arlington, VA, near Dayton, OH, Melbourne, FL, Carlsbad, CA, Atlanta, GA, and Denver, CO. We specialize in advanced research and development for defense, intelligence, and national security in: cyber; next generation sensors, radar, sonar, communications, and electronic warfare; and artificial intelligence algorithms and analytics to make sense of the complexity that is exploding around us. STR is committed to creating a collaborative learning environment that supports deep technical understanding and recognizes the contributions and achievements of all team members. Our work is challenging, and we go home at night knowing that we pushed the envelope of technology and made the world safer. STR is not just any company. Our people, culture, and attitude along with their unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives put us on a trajectory to change the world. We can't do it alone, though - we need fellow trailblazers. If you are one, join our team and help to keep our society safe! Visit us at www.str.us for more info. * STR is an equal opportunity employer. We are fully dedicated to hiring the most qualified candidate regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.* *If you need a reasonable accommodation for any portion of the employment process, email us at appassist@str.us and provide your contact info.* *Pursuant to applicable federal law and regulations, positions at STR require employees to obtain national security clearances and satisfy the requirements for compliance with export control and other applicable laws.* [View posting at STR](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/systemstechnologyresearch/jobs/4715466006) ## About STR Employee-owned national-security R&D firm building AI, cyber, sensing, and systems technology for U.S. defense and intelligence customers. Bootstrapped · 500–1000 people ## Similar jobs [Legion Intelligence](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/legion-intelligence) ### [Forward Deployed Engineer (D.C Area)](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/8c1e0164683d1629) Washington, DC 3mo ago $160,000–$200,000 [West Monroe](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/west-monroe) ### [Principal AI Software Engineer, TechEx (US)](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/1a4fa989247e7868) Boston, MA · Chicago, IL · +7 more 11mo ago $152,200–$205,900 [Databricks](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/databricks) ### [Sr. Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) - Public Sector ](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/99fcc726b3f450eb) Chicago, IL · Columbus, OH · +1 more Hybrid 2mo ago $182,000–$250,208 [Red Cell Partners](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/red-cell-partners) ### [Senior/Staff Full Stack Software Engineer, Federal](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/f2b085ebb8b7bbc3) Seattle, WA · Mclean, VA Remote 7d ago $180,000–$240,000 [Accenture](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/accenture) ### [Palantir Forward Deployed Senior Engineer](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/79e9c43db5c86c34) Chicago, IL · Milwaukee, WI · +39 more 2mo ago $80,400–$316,300 - [Compare senior FDE salary ranges](https://nextmove.md/fde/salary/senior) - [Similar jobs in Boston area](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs?region=greater-boston) - [Similar jobs that build what the customer runs](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs?role=builds-for-customers) Hiring at STR and want this page changed or removed? Email info@nextmove.md and we take it down. ## Conditions - **Location**: Denver, CO · San Diego, CA · Arlington, VA · Boston, MA - **Employment type**: Full-time - **Travel**: Travel required, amount not stated - **Pay**: Employer postings · [How we read postings](https://nextmove.md/fde/method)