Forward Deployed Engineer

The Role Istari's software doesn't just get handed off, it gets deployed into some of the most complex engineering environments in aerospace and defense. As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you'll be embedded directly inside our customer organizations, operating as part of their team while remaining tightly connected to Istari's product and engineering core. This is not a support role. You are a builder. You'll write real code, architect integrations, and solve hard problems that emerge at the intersection of digital engineering workflows and mission-critical operations. The challenges you'll tackle require the instincts of a strong software engineer and the adaptability of someone who thrives in unstructured environments. Challenges like connecting CAD, CFD, FEM pipelines to Istari's platform; unlocking cross-discipline and cross-clearance collaboration; enabling organizations to actually use the tools in which they've invested. You'll work alongside Istari Program Managers who are embedded in the same customer environments. They carry the program context and stakeholder relationships while you own the technical execution. Together, you operate as a unit capable of handling almost anything a customer throws at you. The best Forward Deployed Engineers make our product smarter, not just our customers happier. Core Responsibilities: Onsite Technical Delivery Embed with customer [... source excerpt omitted ...] rate Istari's platform into existing digital engineering ecosystems (CAD, CFD, FEM, simulation pipelines, and related toolchains) Serve as the primary technical interface for the customer – not just answering questions, but proactively identifying where our software can drive more value Software Development Develop, test, and maintain integrations and workflow solutions following modern software engineering practices Write clean, maintainable code that can be productized or reused across customer deployments Contribute to internal tooling and documentation that scales your knowledge across the team Feedback Loop to Product Translate field experience into actionable product [... source excerpt omitted ...] what customers actually need Participate in internal engineering reviews, architecture discussions, and roadmap planning Help develop proposals and technical approaches for new customer opportunities Required Qualifications: Required Strong software engineering fundamentals — you write production-quality code and can defend your architectural decisions Hands-on experience with digital engineering toolchains: CAD, CFD, FEM, or related simulation and modeling environments Comfort operating in ambiguous, fast-moving environments without a lot of hand-holding Ability to work on-site with customers in a U.S. defense or aerospace context (clearance eligibility required; active