> 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. # Platform Engineering Senior Manager - Forward Deployed Engineer Canonical URL: https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/ed2eb21ca248737d Clarity Innovations posts a senior FDE role to lead deployment teams in Annapolis Junction, MD, at $145,900–$248,000 base, below the staff+ FDE median of $225,000 across 388 postings with pay. Leads a customer-site platform engineering team supporting high-complexity cyber operations, combining hands-on infrastructure troubleshooting and software development with technical team leadership. Read from the employer’s posting on November 8, 2026. - [Clarity Innovations](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/clarity-innovations) Posted Oct 19, 2026 by Clarity Innovations · open on Greenhouse as of Nov 8, 2026 **$145,900–$248,000** *annualized* Annapolis Junction, MD Leads a customer-site platform engineering team supporting high-complexity cyber operations, combining hands-on infrastructure troubleshooting and software development with technical team leadership. - [See roles that fit me](https://nextmove.md/sign-up?from=%2Ffde%2Fjobs%2Fed2eb21ca248737d&placement=top) - [View posting at Clarity Innovations](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/clarityinnovates/jobs/5266688007) 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 $146K–$248K Below the median Midpoint $197K · median $225K This job $146K to $248K. Staff+ FDE postings, 388 postings: the middle 50% of posted pay is $197K to $262K, median $225K. ### The work Leads the deployment team Balance **Mostly building** Project stages 1. Pre-sales (not covered) 2. Proof of concept (not covered) 3. Implementation 4. Operations - **Coding**: Writes production code - **Builds for**: External customers - **Level**: Staff+ - **Role**: People manager ### What they ask for Experience - **10+ years** relevant professional experience ### Do you meet what the posting states? The posting asks for 10+ years. How many do you have? The posting reads as a staff-level role. What level are you at now? The job is in Annapolis Junction, MD. 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**: Annapolis Junction, MD ## More like this [Citigroup](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/citigroup) ### [Forward Deployed Engineering Lead (SVP - Applied AI & Engineering)](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/f9929ce0a6a659a9) Irving, TX 7w ago $156,160–$234,240 [Janus Henderson](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/janus-henderson) ### [Principal Forward Deployed Engineer](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/3721b3eb1718e859) Denver, CO Hybrid 4w ago $195,000–$225,000 [Anduril](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/anduril) ### [Lead Mission Software Engineer, EW](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/29ffba50995e18dc) Costa Mesa, CA 4mo ago $220,000–$292,000 ## The job description from Clarity Innovations Posted by Clarity Innovations on Oct 19, 2026 Clarity Innovations is a trusted national security partner, dedicated to safeguarding our nation’s interests and delivering innovative solutions that empower the Intelligence Community (IC) and Department of Defense (DoD) to transform data into actionable intelligence, ensuring mission success in an evolving world. Our mission-first software and data engineering platform modernizes data operations, utilizing advanced workflows, CI/CD, and secure DevSecOps practices. We focus on challenges in Information Warfare, Cyber Operations, Operational Security, and Data Structuring, enabling end-to-end solutions that drive operational impact. We are committed to delivering cutting-edge tools and capabilities that address the most complex national security challenges, empowering our partners to stay ahead of emerging threats and ensuring the success of their critical missions. At Clarity, we are people-focused and set on being a destination employer for top talent, offering an environment where innovation thrives, careers grow, and individuals are valued. Join us as we continue to lead innovation and tackle the most pressing challenges in national security. ### Position Summary Serve as the customer site lead providing technical platform engineering and infrastructure stability supporting high-complexity cyber operations. You will be responsible for live Linux system triage, identity management integration (Authentik), Go/Python development, Terraform infrastructure automation, Docker builds, network/routing debugging (WireGuard, packet analysis), and deploying emerging AI/LLM tooling directly into operational workflows. No two days are alike and you will be expected to learn new best practices weekly and do what is required to make mission happen. ### Role Expectations - Serves as the site lead representing Clarity and leading a multi-functional team. - Typically requires a University Degree (BA/BS) or equivalent experience and minimum 10 years of relevant experience. - Leads a technical capability team and contributes to the development and advancement of domain expertise within the organization. - Guides technical practices, standards, and workforce development within a specific capability area. - Provides technical leadership to engineers and specialists while also contributing as an individual technical expert when needed. - Supports capability improvements and helps implement technical strategies aligned with mission needs. - Typically supervises experienced technical staff within a capability area. ### Contract Specific Qualifications - Linux Systems & CLI Troubleshooting - Infrastructure as Code (Terraform / HCL) - Go & Python Systems Development - Networking & Packet Analysis (TCP/IP, Routing, WireGuard) - Containerization & CI/CD (Docker, GitLab) ### Nice to Haves - Technical team management - Security engineering fundamentals (PKI, x509 certificates, least privilege, threat modeling) - Reverse engineering / vulnerability research basics (debuggers, disassemblers, binary tracing) - Kubernetes cluster deployment and pod networking - Distributed system resilience (retries, idempotency, failure domain handling) - Automated testing harnesses (integration, regression, and system harness development) Platform Engineering Senior Manager $145,900—$248,000 USD Pay Range The posted pay range reflects the national salary range for this position and is provided to give candidates a general understanding of the compensation opportunity. The actual salary offered will be determined based on the requirements of the position and a variety of job-related factors, which may include geographic location, applicable Federal Government contract labor categories and wage rates, relevant experience, skills and competencies, education, certifications, and the scope and responsibilities of the role. Because this position may be performed in multiple locations and may be subject to different contract requirements, the salary ultimately offered may vary based on the applicable location and contract. The posted range is not a guarantee of a specific starting salary or an indication that an offer will be made at any particular point within the range. Total Rewards In addition to competitive base pay, Clarity provides a Total Rewards package designed to attract and retain exceptional professionals committed to excellence. Our benefits reflect the value we place on skilled individuals who drive our impact in critical digital missions. At Clarity, a career means joining a high-performing team advancing vital work in the digital landscape. We encourage you to consider the total value of joining us—competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and resources that support your growth and impact. Our Total Rewards package includes performance-based bonuses, extensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) plan with company match, substantial paid time off and holidays, flexible work arrangements where possible, and a range of income protection benefits. We are committed to supporting your well-being, professional growth, and ability to contribute to essential digital missions. We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. [View posting at Clarity Innovations](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/clarityinnovates/jobs/5266688007) ## About Clarity Innovations Provides mission-focused software, data engineering, and cyber capabilities for U.S. defense, intelligence, and federal agencies. Late-stage private · 200–500 people ## Similar jobs [Citi (Citigroup Inc.)](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/citi-citigroup-inc) ### [Forward Deployed Engineer - Director](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/43b889b6e711d24a) Jersey City, NJ 2w ago $170,000–$300,000 [Amazon (incl AWS)](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/amazon-incl-aws) ### [Forward Deployed Engineering Manager, AWS Forward Deployed Engineering, US Government](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/cc16a9760702a10d) Arlington, VA · Seattle, WA · +2 more 2mo ago $184,900–$275,200 [Profound](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/profound) ### [Manager, Forward Deployed Marketing Engineers](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/5f8b796da97a1250) New York, NY · San Francisco, CA On-site 4w ago $183,000–$190,500 [Cadre AI](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/cadre-ai) ### [Staff Forward Deployed AI Engineer | San Diego, CA](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/b144c00238ccf58c) San Diego, CA Hybrid 3mo ago $165,000–$200,000 [Gen Digital Inc.](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/gen-digital-inc) ### [Lead, Integrations Engineering](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/cbfc45d188b6f22e) New York, NY Hybrid 2w ago $200,000–$240,000 - [Compare staff+ FDE salary ranges](https://nextmove.md/fde/salary/staff) - [Similar jobs that lead deployment teams](https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs?role=leadership) Hiring at Clarity Innovations and want this page changed or removed? 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