Vannevar is a defense technology company building AI to deter our adversaries.
In the 21st century, conflict moves at algorithmic speed and foresight equals firepower. Our agentic AI is purpose-built to compete with China-from cross-Strait conflict to gray zone coercion. Trained on the most mission-relevant datasets in defense, our technology models adversary behavior, simulates campaigns, and recommends the best course of action to decision makers. Our AI systems are some of the most trusted in the industry and actively used on the front lines of the Indo-Pacific to keep the peace and save lives.
Exceptional technology starts with exceptional people. Vannevar is a small agile team combining world-class engineers with veteran strategists who bring deep expertise in defense and tradecraft. We're building a company defined by mission impact, user empathy, and disciplined growth. In just three years, we grew from $3M to $80M in ARR, achieved early profitability, and reached unicorn status-proving that disruption doesn't require an ego, and staying power doesn't mean standing still.
About the role
Our Mission teams operate like small startups within the Vannevar Labs umbrella. As a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE), you will serve as the technical owner for a mission and its associated customer engagements. You will work directly with operators, analysts, and technical stakeholders supporting national security missions, owning the architecture, development, deployment, and fielding of software solutions tailored to real-world operational needs. In this role, you will act as a senior technical counterpart to customer stakeholders - translating mission requirements into scalable software, navigating government technical environments, and ensuring capabilities are delivered reliably into production. You will collaborate closely with product, design, platform engineering, and mission teammates to deliver high-impact outcomes, while remaining a hands-on individual contributor.
What youll do
Architect, build, and own software solutions deployed directly to customer environments in support of mission-critical use cases
Serve as the primary technical point of contact for customer stakeholders, engaging with senior technical leaders to understand mission needs and represent Vannevar's technical approach
Own end-to-end technical delivery for your mission workstreams, from requirements gathering and system design through implementation, deployment, and sustainment
Contribute hands-on code to improve product capabilities, performance, and scalability across customer use cases
Build software that enables users to unlock value from large-scale data holdings, including text, multimedia, and geospatial datasets spanning over 46 languages
Collaborate with cross-functional partners - including engineers, product designers, and mission domain experts - to plan and deliver complex software features
Support government-facing technical artifacts as needed, including input to RFIs, RFPs, Statements of Work, and white papers
Navigate and integrate with government IT ecosystems, ensuring solutions meet security, compliance, and operational constraints
This is a fully remote role, but traveling is required - travel up to 20-30% to engage directly with mission owners and deliver capabilities in the field
What you should have
5+ years as a Full Stack Developer including familiarity with relational databases (like Postgres), caching technologies (like Redis), object storage systems (like S3), and modern front-end frameworks (like React)
Experience developing and deploying software compliant with DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF)
Experience interfacing with government owned IT systems (for example, data platforms, IdAM providers, SIEM, CDSs, etc)
Experience working with government IT and program offices to scope technical requirements, architecture, and integrations
Experience working with end users to scope mission requirements, conduct user testing, and gain product feedback
Excellent communication and teamwork skills
Must hold an active U.S. TS Security clearance with SCI Eligibility
This role is hybrid in our Honolulu office
What we offer
Competitive Salary
The salary range for this position is $135,000-$205,000 + equity. Within the range, individual pay is determined by experience, relevant education, and/or training.
Comprehensive Benefits
We're proud to offer competitive benefits that support our employees. Some key highlights of our benefits package include:
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Remote friendly with WeWork access
Unlimited PTO, shared downtime during the federal holiday calendar, and company-wide off time at the end of each year
401(k) match
Lifestyle & wellbeing stipends
Salary top-up during military reserve duty
Fully paid parental leave
Child and pet care reimbursement during travel
Vannevar is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity