Forward Deployed Engineer - Clearance Required
LMI
Arlington, VA · Posted October 9, 2026
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Where Arlington, VA ranks
Where Arlington, VA placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #1Best cities for education pay after cost of living$124k · of 8
- #2Best all-round cities for AI careers in the Southeast89 / 100 · of 33
- #3Best cities for government pay after cost of living$140k · of 18
- #3Best cities for software and engineering jobs in the Mid-Atlantic456 openings · of 68
- #4Best cities for aerospace and defense pay after cost of living$152k · of 19
- #4Best cities for AI-skill jobs in the Southeast14% · of 87
Rankings about engineering jobs
- Best cities for software and engineering jobs #1 San Francisco (3,412 openings)
- Best cities for engineering pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($216k)
- Most requested AI skills in engineering jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (6.1%)
- AI tools named most often in engineering jobs #1 Claude (1.7%)
- Employers with the most engineering jobs #1 Amazon (2,992 roles)
Pay compared with the market
This listing does not state pay. Across 123 open forward deployed engineer listings that state pay, the middle half runs $165,000 to $238,000 and the median is $200,000.
Listed pay is what employers advertise, not what people are paid.
Forward Deployed Engineer salaries by state · Check your own pay
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Among software developers, AI is already used for some of the tasks. Measured exposure for software developers: 29% (some).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
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About the job
Overview
We are seeking a Senior Forward Deployed Engineer to embed directly with mission users and own the technical solution from mission need through production deployment. This is a hands-on role for an engineer who enjoys solving hard, ambiguous problems—and wants to see the technology they build make a difference in the real world.
You will work alongside mission users to understand what is actually happening on the ground, identify opportunities where technology can make a meaningful difference, and turn those insights into working solutions. You’ll integrate advanced technologies—including modern AI/LLM capabilities—into operational workflows, build and deploy new software capabilities, and iterate directly with users until the solution delivers measurable mission impact.
This is not a role where you simply receive requirements and hand off code. You will be close to the problem, close to the user, and accountable for the outcome. You’ll have the autonomy to experiment, make technical decisions, prototype ideas, and take the solutions that work all the way into production.
This position requires an active TS/SCI clearance and onsite presence at the customer’s location five (5) days per week to support direct customer engagement, collaboration, and mission execution.
LMI is a new breed of digital solutions provider dedicated to accelerating government impact with innovation and speed. Investing in technology and prototypes ahead of need, LMI brings commercial-grade platforms and mission-ready AI to federal agencies at commercial speed.
Leveraging our mission-ready technology and solutions, proven expertise in federal deployment, and strategic relationships, we enhance outcomes for the government, efficiently and effectively. With a focus on agility and collaboration, LMI serves the defense, space, healthcare, and energy sectors—helping agencies navigate complexity and outpace change. Headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, LMI is committed to delivering impactful results that strengthen missions and drive lasting value.
Responsibilities
Providing direct support to the multiple customers, this Forward Deployed Engineer will:
Work closely with customers to integrate the LIGER GenAI platform into their existing business processes.
Build new functionalities and enhancements within the LIGER platform to meet specific customer needs.
Ensure successful deployment and initial configuration of the LIGER platform, supporting customers for 60-180 days post-sale before transitioning the deployment to a long-term project team.
Engage directly with customers in various formats, including in-person, hybrid, or remote work as required by the customer.
Conduct proof-of-concept demonstrations to showcase LIGER’s capabilities and its value to potential and existing customers.
Develop and maintain a deep understanding of the LIGER platform’s capabilities and limitations to guide solution development.
Provide technical consulting, guidance, and support throughout the integration and deployment phases.
Rapidly build new features into or around LIGER’s core platform to meet customer-specific needs and feedback. Work closely with the core product team to integrate new features into the product.
Document and communicate customer requirements and feedback to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with customer priorities.
Assist in troubleshooting and resolving deployment issues, providing timely and effective solutions.
Travel occasionally to customer locations within the United States for direct engagements and support.
Work collaboratively with internal teams including product management, engineering, and support to deliver seamless solutions to customers.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Active TS/SCI clearance
Advanced proficiency in Python.
Extensive experience with PostgreSQL.
Hands on experience with LLMs, NLP, and related AI technologies solving real problems
Proven experience working with the MEAN Stack and full stack development in typescript.
Experience with Angular and developing web applications.
Strong knowledge of containerization technologies (e.g. Docker) and CI/CD pipelines, specifically with GitLab.
Familiarity with cloud computing deployment models, especially AWS GovCloud and/or working within a DoD or federal environment.
Demonstrated ability to integrate software solutions with existing business processes, including the ability to interact effectively with APIs.
Knowledge of software development lifecycle and security principles.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with multiple stakeholders, including senior executives from government and industry.
Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment and prioritize effectively.
Willingness and availability for occasional travel based on project requirements.
DESIRED SKILLS
Proven ability to work quickly and independently as part of a small team of engineers to deliver high-quality, tailored solutions.
Experience in sales engineering within the federal government sector, with a deep understanding of federal customers' unique challenges and requirements.
Expertise in developing strategic relationships with key stakeholders and fostering long-term customer partnerships.
Ability to clearly communicate the value and benefits of technical solutions to non-technical audiences.
Ability to provide strategic input on product enhancements and development based on market trends and customer feedback.
Familiarity with DoD Cybersecurity requirements and vulnerability management concepts.
Experience with continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines and utilizing tools such as GitLab.
Familiarity with container orchestration engines such as Kubernetes (e.g., EKS, AKS, GKE, Kops, OpenShift).
Proficiency with MCP Server and experience building MCP tools.
Hands-on experience in containerizing applications.
Strong background in Unix/Linux operating systems.
High energy, enthusiasm, and the ability to effectively interact with senior executives from both government and industry.
Experience with leadership, management, and providing issue resolution and expert guidance to teams.
Knowledge of AWS products and capabilities, with specific experience in GovCloud environments.
Target salary range: $145,000 - $250,000
Disclaimer: The salary range displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is not a guarantee of compensation. Individual salaries are determined by various factors including, but not limited to location, internal equity, business considerations, client contract requirements, and candidate qualifications, such as education, experience, skills, and security clearances.
#LI-SH1
Applicants must meet eligibility requirements for a U.S. Government security clearance. Only US Citizens are eligible for a security clearance. For this position, LMI will only consider applicants with security clearances or applicants who are eligible for security clearances, due to the nature of the work.
Job Locations US-VA-Arlington