> 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/b986901355d74972

Picogrid posts a FDE role to build what the customer runs in El Segundo, CA and 1 more, at $120,000–$200,000 base, below the senior FDE median of $190,000 across 1,864 postings with pay. Forward Deployed Engineers bridge product, engineering, and military customers to design and deliver end-to-end capabilities for real missions. Read from the employer’s posting on November 8, 2026.

- [Picogrid](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/picogrid)

Posted Aug 11, 2025 by Picogrid · open on Ashby as of Nov 8, 2026

**$120,000–$200,000** El Segundo, CA +1 Full-time

Forward Deployed Engineers bridge product, engineering, and military customers to design and deliver end-to-end capabilities for real missions.

- [See roles that fit me](https://nextmove.md/sign-up?from=%2Ffde%2Fjobs%2Fb986901355d74972&placement=top)
- [View posting at Picogrid](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/picogrid/01f18b49-daf2-411e-ae50-f22f4496b678/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

$120K–$200K Below the median

Midpoint $160K · median $190K

This job $120K to $200K. 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)

- **Coding**: Writes production code

- **Builds for**: External customers

- **Level**: Senior

- **Role**: Individual contributor

### What they ask for

Experience

- **3+ years** Technical role combining software engineering, customer-facing functions, and full-stack development

Background

- **Software engineering**
- **Solutions and customer 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 job is in El Segundo, CA · Fort Bragg, NC. 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)

## Conditions

- **Location**: El Segundo, CA · Fort Bragg, NC

- **Employment type**: Full-time

- **Pay**:

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## The job description from Picogrid

Posted by Picogrid on Aug 11, 2025

### Who we are

Picogrid is a leading venture-backed defense technology company founded to bridge the decades-long gap between modern technology and the critical demands of national security. Today, we're building the essential infrastructure to unify sensors, autonomy, and operators with our technology deployed in active operations around the world. Our mission is to deliver an operational advantage to secure the United States and its allies.

### About the Role

Picogrid is seeking a **Forward Deployed Engineer **to operate at the intersection of product, engineering, and the customer. You will be responsible for working shoulder to shoulder with military customers to design and deliver the end-to-end capabilities for real missions.

### Required Qualifications

- 3+ years of experience in a technical role combining Software Engineering with customer-facing functions (Solutions Engineering, Sales Engineering, or Developer Relations) with a focus on Full-stack Development.
- Proven experience engaging directly with end-users to understand mission needs, conduct valuable user testing, and incorporate product feedback.
- Exceptional communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, with strong technical knowledge in distributed systems, autonomy platforms, data pipelines, and edge software.
- Demonstrated ability to integrate with complex government software systems, including data platforms, Identity and Access Management (IdAM) providers, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, and Cross Domain Solutions (CDSs).

### Preferred Qualifications

- Active U.S. Secret or Top Secret security clearance.
- Experience in Golang, Python, and/or React development.
- Experience with hybrid operating environments (cloud, on-prem, edge) and common Communication APIs (REST, gRPC, GraphQL, MQTT).
- Background in DOD RMF, FedRAMP, or NIST 800-53 compliance.
- Experience with low-latency FMV/video systems, tactical data standards (CoT, STANAG), and/or common command-and-control platforms (TAK, Maven, Lattice).
- Expertise in DDIL environments, Disconnected DevOps (Docker/K3s, mesh networking), and/or multi-sensor fusion.
- Demonstrated ability to build or invent (e.g., app, startup) and experience/interest in the defense industry.

### Compensation & Benefits

- Base salary range: 120,000 - $200,000 per year. Base salary is just one part of your total compensation package at Picogrid.
- Significant stock options with a high potential upside as an early-stage company
- 401(k) with employer matching
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family
- Relocation assistance provided (if applicable)
- Unlimited PTO (two-week minimum) and 11 paid holidays per year
- Paid parental leave for both parents
- Lunch provided when working in-office and a fully stocked kitchenette
- Free EV charging at the HQ
- Unique office in El Segundo, CA stocked with quality coffee, snacks, and craft beer

### Export Control Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

Picogrid is committed to providing a professional work environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. We are an equal opportunity employer and make all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.

[View posting at Picogrid](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/picogrid/01f18b49-daf2-411e-ae50-f22f4496b678/application)

## About Picogrid

Open-systems integration platform connecting fragmented sensors, drones, and command systems for rapid battlefield decision-making across land, sea, air, and space.

Seed · 50–100 people

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- [Compare senior FDE salary ranges](https://nextmove.md/fde/salary/senior)
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