Forward Deployed Engineer

About Rivet  

Rivet is an American company building integrated task systems — fusing hardened hardware with software, sensors, AI, and networking — for industrial workforces and defense personnel. We create capabilities that multiply the effectiveness of every individual and withstand the world’s toughest environments. 

We serve the people who build, operate, maintain, and defend our way of life. From technicians and engineers to first responders and service members, they embody the hard work, ingenuity, and meritocratic values that drive Western prosperity. Yet too often they are forced to rely on outdated tools that fail under modern pressures. Rivet exists to reset that priority. 

At Rivet, you’ll join a mission-driven team that fuses disciplines to deliver decisive outcomes where they matter most. Whether shaping our technology, strengthening our partnerships, or building our culture, every role here contributes to equipping the front lines with the modern systems they deserve. 

EOE

Work Authorization Requirement: Due to the nature of our business and compliance with federal regulations, all candidates must be a "U.S. Person". Upon hire, you will be required to provide documentation verifying your status as a U.S. Citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or a protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Role: Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)

Location: Denver or Colorado Springs, CO

Compensation*: $110,000 - $170,000/year + benefits

Role Description  

The Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) at Rivet leads the deployment of customer systems. Embedded with end users, the FDE creates value where hardware, software, communications, and operations meet. This is where functional fielded performance is made real, delivery conditions are urgent, and ambiguity requires rapid, high judgement decisions.   

In this role as an FDE, you will work directly with the US Army, large defense suppliers, and regional experts to quickly understand their most significant operational and sustainment problems. You will design and implement high-impact, mission-critical systems for Soldiers and those who ensure frontline materiel readiness.  

Success in this role requires a commitment to meet customer-specific benchmarks and standards while introducing breakthrough capabilities. At Rivet, you will put state-of-the-art frontline technologies in the hands of Soldiers doing the world’s toughest jobs. 

We are building sophisticated, controlled systems with hardware and software – you will be embedded with our Colorado-based customers at the point of need, working remotely, or with the Rivet team in one of our three offices across the U.S. Ability to travel, 25-75%.   

This position requires U.S. citizenship due to contract obligations. 

Role Requirements  

• 5+ years deploying complex military or industrial technology solutions and/or hands-on sustainment of sophisticated land and air assets 

• Experience with software development and implementation, Android-based system configurations, and DevOps tooling   

• Ability to write and deploy code in the field, and diagnose at the systems level 

• Professional experience with frontline maintenance teams, assets, hardware, software, and/or operations  

• Background of collaborative work in startup environments, new product development, and/or advanced projects  

• Active US Security Clearance or the ability to be cleared    

Responsibilities 

• Define and deploy high impact solutions for US Army units and personnel, moving mobile and embedded technologies through stages of pilots through production 

• Iterate with customer stakeholders to achieve outcomes shaped by today’s practical technology constraints while anticipating new roadmap innovations  

• Be a trusted customer advocate and voice for Rivet’s core engineering priorities  

• Drive our roadmap from the point of need – build new system enhancements, products, and offerings through real-world learning  

*Total compensation may vary within this range and is determined by years and level of relevant experience, job-related skills, education, and other factors. In addition to base salary, this role may be eligible for equity grants and other forms of compensation. Eligible employees also receive a competitive benefits package, including unlimited PTO.