> 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. # Field Software Engineer Canonical URL: https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/b6617d82b06e86d3 HavocAI posts a FDE role to build what the customer runs in US, at $150,000–$175,000 base, below the senior FDE median of $190,000 across 1,849 postings with pay. Field Software Engineer embedded with customers to deploy, integrate, troubleshoot, and modify autonomous systems during demonstrations, exercises, and operational missions. Read from the employer’s posting on November 6, 2026. - [HavocAI](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/havocai) Posted Aug 17, 2026 by HavocAI · open on Ashby as of Nov 6, 2026 **$150,000–$175,000** + equity US +1 Remote Full-time Field Software Engineer embedded with customers to deploy, integrate, troubleshoot, and modify autonomous systems during demonstrations, exercises, and operational missions. - [See roles that fit me](https://nextmove.md/sign-up?from=%2Ffde%2Fjobs%2Fb6617d82b06e86d3&placement=top) - [View posting at HavocAI](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/havocai/f7e2a1b3-8999-40ae-93d7-fc3ed79750f5/application) 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 $150K–$175K Below the median Midpoint $163K · median $190K This job $150K to $175K. Senior FDE postings, 1,849 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 3. Implementation 4. Operations Travel **Up to 75%** - **Coding**: Writes production code - **Builds for**: External customers - **Level**: Senior - **Role**: Individual contributor ### What they ask for Experience - **1+ years** software engineering, systems engineering, robotics, DevOps, systems integration, field engineering, or related technical disciplines Background - **Software engineering** - **Implementation and data engineering** ### Do you meet what the posting states? The posting asks for 1+ 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 · United States - **Work arrangement**: Remote - **Employment type**: Full-time - **Travel**: Up to 75% - **Pay**: ## More like this [Performance Drone Works](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/performance-drone-works) ### [Senior Field Software Engineer, Advanced Missions Group](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/3405965391f916e4) US Remote 2w ago $140,000–$190,000 [Cuesta Partners](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/cuesta-partners) ### [Senior Software Engineer, Custom Apps and AI Agents](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/f255b67b1c427683) US Remote New · 3d ago $150,000–$250,000 [Titan Banking AI](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/titan-banking-ai) ### [Forward Deployed Engineer – Product Focus](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/70d1d05df819706c) US Remote 5mo ago $140,000–$200,000 - [Other jobs at HavocAI (2)](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/havocai) ## The job description from HavocAI Posted by HavocAI on Aug 17, 2026 ### About Us: Havoc is a leader in all-domain collaborative autonomy. Its software-defined hardware approach powers military and commercial-grade autonomous systems across sea, air, and land to sense, decide, and act together in complex and contested environments. Havoc connects assets, enabling them to share information, adapt in real time, and continue operating even when communications are disrupted or denied. Havoc optimizes mission performance and minimizes human risk. Havoc was founded in 2024 and headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. Learn more at Havoc: All-Domain Collaborative Autonomy . ### About the Role As a Field Software Engineer, you'll bridge the gap between engineering and operations, deploying HavocAI's autonomous systems where they matter most. This is not a traditional field support role. You will be an engineer embedded with our customers—deploying software, integrating systems, solving technical problems in real time, and writing code to keep missions moving. You'll work alongside autonomy engineers, software developers, hardware engineers, operators, and government customers to ensure HavocAI systems perform reliably during testing, demonstrations, and operational deployments. Success in this role requires someone who enjoys building as much as troubleshooting. You'll be expected to understand the software deeply enough to modify it in the field, rapidly implement fixes when needed, and know when to engage the broader engineering team. If you enjoy seeing your code leave the lab and operate on autonomous vehicles in challenging environments, you'll fit right in. ### What You'll Do - Deploy, configure, and operate HavocAI autonomous systems during customer demonstrations, exercises, and operational events. - Travel to customer sites to support field testing, integrations, and mission deployments. - Develop and modify software directly in the field to solve mission-critical problems. - Integrate HavocAI systems with customer platforms, communications systems, sensors, and partner technologies. - Diagnose and resolve software, networking, hardware interface, and system integration issues under real operational conditions. - Analyze logs, telemetry, and system performance to identify root causes and validate fixes. - Collaborate closely with software, autonomy, hardware, product, and program teams to improve system reliability. - Build internal tools, deployment automation, documentation, and workflows that improve operational efficiency. - Train operators and support customer acceptance, onboarding, and technical demonstrations. - Capture lessons learned from field operations and translate them into product improvements. - Serve as a trusted technical advisor to customers, partners, and government stakeholders during deployments. ### What We're Looking For - Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Robotics, Systems Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience. - 1+ years of experience in software engineering, systems engineering, robotics, DevOps, systems integration, field engineering, or related technical disciplines. - Strong Linux experience and confidence troubleshooting using command-line tools, logs, and telemetry. - Experience programming in at least one modern language such as C++, Python, Go, or TypeScript. - Familiarity with networking fundamentals, APIs, containerized applications, or distributed systems. - Comfortable working across software, hardware, networking, and operations. - Excellent communication skills with the ability to work directly with engineers, operators, customers, and government stakeholders. - Ability to travel extensively throughout the continental United States. - High ownership, sound judgment, and the ability to perform effectively in dynamic, fast-moving environments. - Passion for autonomy, robotics, distributed systems, or defense technology. - U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. - Ability to travel 50-75% of the time. ### Preferred Qualifications - Experience with autonomous systems, robotics, unmanned vehicles, or maritime platforms. - Experience supporting customer deployments, operational exercises, or field testing. - Experience with ROS2, DDS, Docker, Kubernetes, or modern containerized software. - Experience with PX4, ArduPilot, or related autonomy frameworks. - Experience integrating communications systems, tactical networks, or command and control software. - Familiarity with CAN, UART, Ethernet, serial protocols, or embedded hardware interfaces. - Experience with edge computing, radios, GNSS/INS, cameras, radar, lidar, or robotic sensors. - Experience building developer tools, deployment automation, dashboards, or operational workflows. - Experience supporting DoD, government, aerospace, maritime, or dual-use technology programs. - Active U.S. security clearance. ### Benefits: - 100% Employer paid Health Insurance - Dental and Vision Insurance for you and your families - Life Insurance (Employer Paid) - Ability to participate in the companies 401k program (Matching) - Unlimited PTO policy with an enforced 2 week minimum - Equity Package - Work / Home Office Stipend - Global Entry - 16 Week Paid Parental Leave - Monthly Health and Wellness Stipend ### Our Values: - **Innovation:** We are driven to break new ground. Every day presents an opportunity to challenge the status quo, think boldly, and deliver advanced solutions that transform the future of defense technology. - **Integrity: **We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparency, accountability, and trust in all our actions and partnerships. - **Mission-Driven:** We are focused on achieving impactful outcomes that align with our core mission—protecting lives through innovation. - **Forward-Leaning:** We continuously seek out new opportunities and remain at the forefront of technological advancements. We embrace change and anticipate the challenges of tomorrow with confidence and creativity. - **Ownership of All Tasks:** At HavocAI, no problem is too complex or too trivial. We believe that greatness comes from tackling the hardest challenges, but also in handling the smallest, sometimes thankless, tasks with the same level of commitment and care. - **Servant Leadership:** We lead by serving others, whether it’s supporting our employees, partners, or the broader community. Empowering those around us is key to achieving long-term success and making a lasting impact. HavocAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. [View posting at HavocAI](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/havocai/f7e2a1b3-8999-40ae-93d7-fc3ed79750f5/application) ## About HavocAI Builds software-defined hardware and collaborative autonomy systems that let one operator coordinate heterogeneous autonomous assets across sea, air, and land in contested or communications-degraded environments. Series A · 200–500 people ## Similar jobs [Sayari](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/sayari) ### [Forward Deployed Engineer II (Remote, US) ](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/9f4bb795c063c4e6) US Remote 13d ago $160,000–$180,000 [Defense Unicorns](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/defense-unicorns) ### [Senior Platform Engineer (FedD239)](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/2d80b4f518bdc61d) Springfield, VA Remote 5w ago $148,750–$201,250 [LMI](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/lmi) ### [Forward Deployed Engineer (SPECTR) - Clearance Required](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/83ba82a4c5ede4f6) US Remote 2w ago $122,209.58–$211,317.81 [SambaNova Systems](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/sambanova-systems) ### [Forward Deployment Engineer](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/e5314bff9caf421c) US Remote 3mo ago $138,000–$170,000 [Groundswell](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/groundswell) ### [Senior Applied AI Engineer](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/51e9b9f8c1414f55) VA, DC, WY Remote 6w ago $149,748–$205,305 - [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 HavocAI 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)