Forward Deployed Engineer H/F
Alta Ares, a defense startup building AI-guided drone interceptors, is hiring a Forward Deployed Engineer in Paris to deploy, integrate, test and troubleshoot its air-defense systems in the field alongside military customers. The role blends software work (Python, Linux, networking, APIs) with hardware, telemetry analysis and hands-on field operations during live exercises.
- Compensation
- Not disclosed
- Location
- Paris
- Work setup
- Onsite
- Seniority
- Not specified
- Employment
- Not specified
- Experience
- 3+ years
- Category
- Solutions engineering
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- 3–7 years in software engineering, systems integration, robotics, embedded systems, DevOps/SRE, solutions engineering or a similar hands-on technical role
- Strong Python and Linux skills, with good understanding of networking, APIs, logs and distributed systems
- Proven experience deploying and debugging complex hardware/software systems outside a controlled development environment
- Ability to understand and troubleshoot systems end-to-end
- Fluent English required
- Comfortable with frequent travel and flexible hours during deployments and exercises
- High integrity and discretion when handling sensitive defense technologies
Nice to have
- Experience with UAVs, robotics, autonomous systems, AI/ML, sensors or mission-management systems
- Defense, aerospace, C-UAS, ISR or other mission-critical experience
- Experience working directly with demanding customers or end users in the field
- Professional French strongly preferred
Full description
About Alta Ares
Alta Ares is an air defense Neoprime. We build AI-guided interceptors to counter drones and cruise missiles, along with the software platform that powers them.
Our customers are NATO-aligned militaries and defense institutions, and our systems are regularly deployed during live exercises and operational demonstrations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Founded in 2024, we have grown to 90 people, raised over $60M, and increased revenue 40× this year. We are now entering a new phase of international expansion, industrial scaling, fundraising, and product development.
About the Role
The Forward Deployment Engineer sits at the intersection of our engineering lab and the operational environment. You will be the technical bridge between the Alta Ares development team and partner units operating our AI-driven systems in real-world conditions. You'll be responsible for deploying, configuring, and maintaining system performance on-site from field trials to day-to-day operations.
Mission
Ensure the successful deployment, integration, and operational performance of Alta Ares systems in real-world and field environments, serving as the liaison between engineering and operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Handle the deployment and flashing of our systems at scale across different configurations and firmware versions to prepare devices for deployment
- Deploy and configure AI-enabled systems directly at partner operational sites
- Support integrations with partner systems and troubleshoot technical issues on-site in real time
- Support testing of targeting/guidance systems, including on-site trips to test ranges
- Support live demonstrations and field trials
- Diagnose and resolve hardware and software issues in high-pressure, fast-paced environments
- Provide structured feedback to software and hardware teams based on field deployment results
- Support system validation, acceptance testing, and operational readiness assessments
- Travel within EU and the ME
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Candidate Profile
- 3+ years of experience in software testing, hardware integration, or autonomous systems; experience in robotics, UAVs, or defense technologies is a strong advantage
- Proficiency with embedded Linux and Linux-based systems (Raspberry Pi, Jetson, robotics frameworks is a plus)
- Understanding of Python is a plus
- Strong hands-on troubleshooting skills (Linux, networking fundamentals, hardware integration)