Senior Forward Deployed Engineer

Planet

Senior Forward Deployed Engineer developing transformative software for Planet's strategic accounts. Collaborating with global defense customers to tackle complex challenges with innovative solutions.

Posted 6/17/2026full-time🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $160,600 - $200,800 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AWSCloudGoogle Cloud PlatformPythonTypeScript

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Contribute to the full development lifecycle: from discovery and decomposition to designing, building, and deploying bespoke solutions for customer challenges.
Design and develop robust, full-stack software, including front-end, back-end, data integration, cloud infrastructure (e.g., AWS), and CI/CD pipelines.
Work directly with customers to understand their operational challenges and translate them into clear technical requirements.
Identify reusable patterns in customer solutions to inform broader platform development.
Leverage the latest AI tooling and an AI-first mindset to drive rapid iteration, deliver value quickly, and adapt to evolving requirements with a bias for action.
Mentor other engineers, contribute to code reviews, and help foster a collaborative team environment.
Deliver critical commitments on time, understanding their direct impact on customer relationships and business objectives.

Requirements

What you’ll need

6+ years of relevant work experience in software engineering or in an equivalent technical role.
Experience with geospatial software development and concepts (e.g., Rasterio, Fiona, Shapely, OpenLayers, GDAL).
AWS or GCP experience.
Proficiency in Python.
Excellent knowledge of software engineering best practices, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, and testing methodologies.
Excellent customer engagement skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
Experience with fast, iterative development cycles and an ability to adapt to shifting requirements.
Willingness to travel 30-50% to customer sites within the region.
Must have a current active security clearance (TS or TS/TSI).

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
Health Savings Account (HSA) with a company contribution
Generous Paid Time Off in addition to holidays and company-wide days off
16 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave
Wellness Program and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Home Office Reimbursement
Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement
Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning
Equity
Commuter Benefits (if local to an office)
Volunteering Paid Time Off

ATS Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

full-stack software developmentdata integrationcloud infrastructureCI/CD pipelinesPythongeospatial software developmentRasterioFionaShapelyOpenLayers

Soft Skills

customer engagementcommunicationmentoringcollaborationadaptabilityproblem-solvingtime managementbias for actioncritical thinkingteamwork

Certifications

active security clearance (TS or TS/TSI)