Field Application Engineer

Field Application Engineer – NODA AI

Location: Austin, TX (On-site, with up to 50% travel)
Clearance Requirement: U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain a security clearance

About NODA

NODA is a veteran-owned, venture-backed technology company transforming how unmanned systems collaborate in complex, mission-critical environments. We are developing next-generation solutions that enable autonomous orchestration of heterogeneous unmanned systems across air, sea, land, and space with vital applications in defense, intelligence, and commercial sectors.

Our Field Application Engineers serve as the critical bridge between our orchestration platform and real-world deployment environments, building the software integrations that enable diverse autonomous systems to work together seamlessly.

Joining NODA means working on meaningful technology that pushes the boundaries of autonomy alongside a team that thrives on innovation, rapid iteration, and collaboration.

The Role

We are looking for a Field Application Engineer to lead software integration and deployment of our multi-domain autonomous orchestration platform with customers and partners. You'll build adapters, interfaces, and integration layers connecting our orchestration engine to autonomous vehicles, sensors, and third-party systems in operational environments.

You'll work at the intersection of our platform and customer ecosystems, translating orchestration tasks into platform-specific commands, integrating environmental data, and deploying software in complex network environments. This software-centric role requires strong full-stack engineering, systems integration expertise, and ability to operate independently at customer sites.

Beyond deployment work, you'll contribute to our core platform by building shared libraries, reusable integration components, and deployment tooling. You'll serve as the direct link between customer needs and platform development, driving product requirements back to engineering teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Build adapters and translation layers connecting our orchestration platform to diverse autonomous vehicle control protocols and APIs (MAVLink, ROS/ROS2, custom vehicle systems)

• Develop interfaces for sensors, payloads, and third-party C2 systems (ATAK, TAK Server), integrating their data into our world model

• Design and implement custom network configurations for multi-domain operations, including degraded links, secure networks, and air-ground-sea communications

• Lead on-site integration efforts at customer and partner facilities, serving as technical liaison between field operations and internal engineering teams

• Conduct technical demonstrations, operator training sessions, and support pre-sales technical discussions

• Deploy ML models and software configurations in operational environments with secure, constrained networks

• Build reusable integration components, shared libraries, and deployment tooling that accelerate future customer engagements

• Troubleshoot and debug complex integration issues across software, hardware, and network boundaries during field operations

• Translate operational requirements and field feedback into actionable product improvements for core platform teams

Required Qualifications

• 2+ years building robotic integrations, APIs, or distributed systems

• BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related field (or equivalent experience)

• Strong Python and/or C++ proficiency

• Experience with networked systems and protocols (TCP/IP, UDP, multicast, routing)

• Advanced Linux skills (CLI, scripting, debugging, remote administration)

• Experience integrating external APIs, protocols, or hardware

• Ability to build translation/adapter layers for complex technical systems

• Strong debugging skills across software boundaries

• Professional communication skills for customer and partner engagement

• Comfortable with 50% travel to customer sites and remote locations

• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with autonomous systems or unmanned vehicles (UAS, UGV, USV, UUV)

• Vehicle control protocols (MAVLink, ROS/ROS2, custom APIs)

• DevSecOps in secure or classified environments

• Tactical C2 systems (ATAK, TAK Server, Link 16)

• ML model deployment and inference optimization

• RF communications or connectivity troubleshooting

• Embedded systems or firmware interfaces

• Sensor integration (cameras, LIDAR, radar, EO/IR, RF)

• Field engineering or customer-facing technical roles

• DoD environments, ITAR compliance, or cybersecurity experience

• Active security clearance

What We Offer

• Hybrid-friendly when not traveling

• Competitive pay

• Flexible time off

• Generous PTO policy

• Federal holidays

• Generous health, dental, and vision benefits

• Free OneMedical membership

Growth Path at NODA

Field Application Engineers have multiple career progression options:

• Technical track: FAE → Senior FAE → Lead FAE

• Transition to Core Engineering: For those who develop strong interest in platform development

• Transition to Mission Lead: For those who gravitate toward project management and coordination

• Transition to Product Management: Leverage deep customer insights for product strategy

• Individual contributor track: Available for those who prefer hands-on technical work

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, age, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.