Forward Deployed Engineer
At a glance
Mid-level Software Engineering role at knightscope. Sunnyvale · full-time · $130,000–$170,000 base.
techroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Survey client sites for machine coverage, network access, power, terrain and escalation routes
- Set up and connect Knightscope systems with client networks, video platforms, access controls and security workflows
- Work with Mission Advisors on technical scoping and site plans, then verify deployments before clients sign
- Diagnose field problems spanning hardware, software and networking, and carry each issue through to resolution
- Send field findings to engineering, product and operations to improve later deployments
What you bring
- At least ten years in sales engineering or technical architecture
- An engineering degree or comparable practical experience in a listed engineering discipline
- Strong networking skills across LTE or 5G, Wi-Fi and VPN, with hands-on debugging ability
- You can work across hardware and software, explain technical issues clearly and travel extensively
Who this fits
This suits a client-facing engineer who can handle deployment work across hardware, software and networks, then communicate field issues plainly. The role is based in the United States, anchored to Sunnyvale, and requires extensive travel to client sites nationwide.
From the employer
About Knightscope
Knightscope (NASDAQ: KSCP) is a security technology company building the nation's first Autonomous Security Force — autonomous machines, AI-driven software, and elite security professionals operating as one integrated managed service. The Company is on a mission to make the United States of America the safest country in the world. One Team. One Force.
Job Summary
The Forward Deployed Engineer is the technical operator embedded at client sites and inside the deal - surveying terrain, engineering deployments, integrating with client systems, and making autonomous security work in the real world. You own problems end to end across hardware, software, and networking, and drive field learnings back into engineering.
Location: ONSITE - Sunnyvale, CA HQ
About the Role
The Forward Deployed Engineer works with the Mission Advisor and the client where the Force meets the ground. You are the technical operator embedded at the client site and inside the deal - surveying the terrain, engineering the deployment, integrating with the client’s systems, and making autonomous security work in the real world, not on a slide. When something breaks at the seam between hardware, software, network, and client environment, you own it until it is fixed - and you carry what you learned back to engineering so the Force gets better every autonomous hour.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct site surveys and deployment engineering for autonomous machines and sensing infrastructure - coverage, connectivity, power, terrain, and escalation paths.
- Commission, configure, and integrate Knightscope technology in client environments - networks, video management systems, access control, and security operations workflows.
- Partner with Mission Advisors during the sales cycle: technical scoping, site architecture, and proving the deployment works before the client signs.
- Troubleshoot in the field across hardware, software, and networking - own the problem end to end, no handoffs.
- Close the loop: document field learnings and drive them back into engineering, product, and operations so every deployment is better than the last.
- Represent Knightscope on the client’s property, in the client’s view - held to the same standard as any member of the Force.
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years in sales engineer or technical architect role
- Engineering degree or equivalent hands-on experience - electrical, computer, mechanical, mechatronics, robotics, or field systems engineering.
- Strong networking fundamentals: LTE/5G, Wi-Fi, VPN, and the patience to debug connectivity in a parking garage at 2 a.m.
- Comfort working hardware and software in the same day - scripting, log analysis, diagnostics, and a toolbag.
- Client-facing composure: you explain technical reality in plain language and bring answers, not problems.
- Willingness to travel extensively to client sites nationwide. Based in the United States.
- Preferred: robotics or autonomous systems deployment; physical security systems (VMS, access control, sensors); field service or deployment leadership; experience supporting government or regulated environments.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base Salary: $130,000 – $170,000 (DOE)
- Equity: Stock options
- Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off
- Location Requirement: Full-time, field-based with extensive nationwide travel; anchored to Sunnyvale HQ.
Software Engineering work from LinkedIn, X, Reddit and Upwork, in one list.
Each morning you get everything that fits, strongest first.
Software Engineering$130k+
Find me workBy the team behind techroles.