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.
