Forward Deployed Engineer

Job Description This is a U.S. based position. All of the programs we support require U.S. citizenship to be eligible for employment. All work must be conducted within the continental U.S.Please be sure to click the following link and share a bit about yourself! https://www.videoask.com/f3qlcl2voWho we are:Raft (https://TeamRaft.com) is a customer-obsessed non-traditional defense tech company dedicated to empowering U.S. military and government agencies with cutting-edge AI/ML and data solutions. We are a leader in autonomous data fusion and Agentic AI, with a purposeful focus on Distributed Data Systems, Platforms at Scale, and Complex Application Development. With headquarters in McLean, VA, our range of clients includes innovative federal and public agencies leveraging design thinking, cutting-edge tech stack, and cloud-native ecosystem. We build digital solutions that impact the lives of millions of Americans.About the role:We're seeking a talented Forward Deployed Engineer to serve as the technical face of our organization at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. This role combines deep engineering expertise with strong interpersonal skills to support mission-critical production systems in a forward-deployed environment. You'll be the go-to technical expert for our customers, troubleshooting complex system issues and ensuring operational excellence.What You'll Do:Serve as the primary technical liaison between our engineering teams and forward-deployed customersTroubleshoot and debug production systems at the system level, ensuring maximum uptime and performanceDeploy, maintain, and support containerized applications in Kubernetes environmentsProvide expert-level technical support for CICD pipelines and container orchestration platformsDiagnose and resolve complex technical issues across diverse technology stacksCollaborate with backend engineering teams to implement solutions and improvementsSupport operational deployments and maintain system reliability in production environmentsInterface directly with customer stakeholders in secure environmentsRequired QualificationsStrong engineering background with proven experience deploying and supporting production systemsSolid understanding of software engineering principles and practicesHands-on experience with Kubernetes debugging and troubleshootingExpertise in CICD tools and methodologiesDemonstrated ability in system-level debugging across multiple platformsBroad technical knowledge spanning various technologies and architecturesExcellent communication skills with ability to interface effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholdersOutgoing personality with strong customer-facing capabilitiesDesired QualificationsPrior experience working in SCIF environments or with cleared customersPrevious INDOPACOM experience or familiarity with the regionKubernetes certifications (CKA - Certified Kubernetes Administrator or CKAD - Certified Kubernetes Application Developer)Experience with OpenShift or other Kubernetes distributionsBackground supporting DoD or federal government customersFamiliarity with containerization technologies and cloud-native architecturesClearance Requirements:Active Secret with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearanceWork Type:Onsite at Schofield Barracks dailyMay require up to 25% travel to both CONUS and OCONUS locations (Must possess a valid, active US passport with at least six months validity beyond intended period of employment to facilitate international travel and meet security requirements for government contracts.)Salary Range: $150,000 - $200,000The determination of compensation is predicated upon a candidate's comprehensive experience, demonstrated skill, and proven abilitiesWhat we will offer you:Highly competitive salaryFully covered healthcare, dental, and vision coverage401(k) and company matchTake as you need PTO + 11 paid holidaysEducation & training benefitsGenerous Referral BonusesAnd More!Our Vision Statement:We bridge the gap between humans and data through radical transparency and our obsession with the mission.Our Customer Obsession:We will approach every deliverable like it's a product. We will adopt a customer-obsessed mentality. As we grow, and our footprint becomes larger, teams and employees will treat each other not only as teammates but customers. We must live the customer-obsessed mindset, always. This will help us scale and it will translate to the interactions that our Rafters have with their clients and other product teams that they integrate with. Our culture will enable our success and set us apart from other companies.How do we get there?Public-sector modernization is critical for us to live in a better world. We, at Raft, want to innovate and solve complex problems. And, if we are successful, our generation and the ones that follow us will live in a delightful, efficient, and accessible world where out-of-box thinking, and collaboration is a norm.Raft's core philosophy is Ubuntu: I Am, Because We are. We support our "nadi" by elevating the other Rafters. We work as a hyper collaborative team where each team member brings a unique perspective, adding value that did not exist before. People make Raft special. We celebrate each other and our cognitive and cultural diversity. We are devoted to our practice of innovation and collaboration.We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.