Forterra

Technical Lead – Mission Modules

Forterra

full-time

Posted on:

Origin:  • 🇺🇸 United States

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Salary

💰 $160,000 - $190,000 per year

Job Level

Senior

About the role

  • Forterra is seeking a hands-on Technical Lead to drive execution of advanced mission module development on autonomous ground systems. You’ll work at the intersection of autonomy, power, comms, and weapon systems to deliver payloads such as Counter-UAS, combat engineer, and other mission critical payloads capabilities.
  • This is a deeply technical leadership role requiring system-level thinking, cross-functional coordination, and direct execution accountability. You will serve as the Mission Module technical owner, architect, and lead engineer—ensuring delivery of fieldable capabilities that integrate seamlessly with Forterra’s autonomy stack and platform architecture.
  • Lead the technical development and integration of payloads (e.g., Counter-UAS, EW, ISR, kinetic) into Forterra’s vehicle platforms
  • Lead technical execution across multiple engineering disciplines (software, electrical, mechanical, autonomy, systems, and systems integration)
  • Manage and mitigate technical and programmatic risks through proactive design and schedule control
  • Own the engineering schedule and ensure alignment with overall program milestones and delivery dates
  • Collaborate directly with defense customers, partners, and vendors to align on technical solutions and delivery milestones
  • Lead development and decomposition of system requirements and interface definitions for the program (Accountable but will have support from the broader org and dedicated resources within the division). Ensure compliance with program-specific standards including MIL-STD-882E, NIST 800-53, amongst others.
  • Define, manage, and own the logical and physical system architecture for the specific program across software and hardware domains
  • Operate with full accountability, even in the absence of direct authority or guidance. Resolve technical and organizational conflict across functions to maintain execution velocity.
  • Drive creation and management of all required engineering artifacts: systems requirements, interface control documents, cyber compliance packages, safety analyses, etc.
  • Conduct or supervise integration, verification, and validation of mission modules in lab and field environments.
  • Travel: Moderate (up to 30%). Expect time in office, though flexible based on customer engagement, test campaigns, and platform bring-up travel.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field required. Relevant disciplines include Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Software, Mechatronics, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or similar
  • 5+ years of experience in systems integration, robotics, embedded systems, or defense payloads
  • Demonstrated experience owning cross-functional systems from architecture through deployment
  • Familiarity with MIL standards, safety-critical systems, and software/hardware integration best practices
  • Demonstrated leadership of cross-functional engineering teams in high-stakes environments
  • U.S. Persons and ability to obtain a Secret clearance
  • Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience working on robotics and autonomous systems for Department of Defense applications
  • Advanced degree (M.S., Ph.D.) in engineering preferred
  • Experience integrating weapon systems, sensors, or comms into autonomous platforms.
  • Experience in DoD acquisition programs or direct collaboration with military end-users.
  • Familiarity with MIL-STD-882 and joint services safety guidance (e.g., JSSSEH)