Forward Deployed Engineer (Robotics)

Location: Seattle, WA; hybrid role with upwards of 90% travel, including multi-week customer-site deployments and regular travel to the Seattle headquarters

Salary: $85,000–$150,000 per year plus equity

Company

hirify.global develops drones, ruggedized communication devices, robotic drone nests, and 911 response networks for public safety agencies across the United States.

What you will do

• Deploy onsite with critical customers to install, configure, and commission drones, robotic drone nests, remote controllers, and LiveOps software for live 911 operations.
• Support operational flights through preparation testing, pre-operation briefings, contingency planning, and debriefs.
• Triage and debug hardware, firmware, software, networking, and RF issues, driving problems to root cause under operational time pressure.
• Write, test, deploy, and validate code and configuration fixes onsite, then upstream changes into the mainline product.
• Act as the technical liaison between customers and headquarters engineering, translating field observations into bug reports, requirements, and feature specifications.
• Document issues and create knowledge base articles, training materials, and runbooks while participating in after-hours support.

Requirements

• 4+ years of experience in software engineering, field engineering, systems engineering, or technical support for complex hardware systems.
• Experience troubleshooting complex systems across hardware, firmware, and software.
• Proficiency in Python; ability to read, modify, and debug C/C++.
• Working knowledge of Linux, command-line tools, scripting, basic networking, embedded systems, robotics, or electromechanical devices.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an FAA Part 107 pilot license and required recurrent certifications.
• Ability to travel upwards of 90%, work multi-week deployments, accept short-notice travel, and participate in rotating nights, weekends, and holiday support.

Nice to have

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years supporting UAS, robotics platforms, or safety-critical hardware in operational environments.
• Experience with UAV/UAS software, flight control, navigation, autonomy, embedded interfaces, telemetry, real-time video, cellular or wireless networks, and RF troubleshooting.
• Experience working with public safety agencies, first responders, government entities, FAA Part 107, public safety COA, or COW regulations.
• Experience creating technical documentation, training content, or customer-facing knowledge bases.

Culture & Benefits

• Values include innovation, speed, excellence, listening to end users, frugality, and using technology to save lives.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans are available for employees and families.
• 401K plan, maternity and paternity leave, and flexible paid time off.
• Flexible work environment, with Orca pass access for Puget Sound employees.
• Seattle office benefits include free parking, snacks, drinks, and espresso.