Forward Deployed Engineer

About Alta Ares

Alta Ares is an air defense Neoprime. We build AI-guided interceptors to counter drones and cruise missiles, along with the software platform that powers them.

Our customers are NATO-aligned militaries and defense institutions, and our systems are regularly deployed during live exercises and operational demonstrations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Founded in 2024, we have grown to 90 people, raised over $60M, and increased revenue 40× this year. We are now entering a new phase of international expansion, industrial scaling, fundraising, and product development.

About the Role

The Forward Deployment Engineer sits at the intersection of our engineering lab and the operational environment. You will be the technical bridge between the Alta Ares development team and partner units operating our AI-driven systems in real-world conditions. You'll be responsible for deploying, configuring, and maintaining system performance on-site from field trials to day-to-day operations.

Mission

Ensure the successful deployment, integration, and operational performance of Alta Ares systems in real-world and field environments, serving as the liaison between engineering and operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Handle the deployment and flashing of our systems at scale across different configurations and firmware versions to prepare devices for deployment

• Deploy and configure AI-enabled systems directly at partner operational sites

• Support integrations with partner systems and troubleshoot technical issues on-site in real time

• Support testing of targeting/guidance systems, including on-site trips to test ranges

• Support live demonstrations and field trials

• Diagnose and resolve hardware and software issues in high-pressure, fast-paced environments

• Provide structured feedback to software and hardware teams based on field deployment results

• Support system validation, acceptance testing, and operational readiness assessments

• Travel within EU and the ME

Candidate Profile

• 3+ years of experience in software testing, hardware integration, or autonomous systems; experience in robotics, UAVs, or defense technologies is a strong advantage

• Proficiency with embedded Linux and Linux-based systems (Raspberry Pi, Jetson, robotics frameworks is a plus)

• Understanding of Python is a plus

• Strong hands-on troubleshooting skills (Linux, networking fundamentals, hardware integration)

• Willingness and ability to work in extreme field conditions with on-site constraints and limitations

• Fluent in French and English; ability to represent the company in front of strategic partners is mandatory