Field Software Engineer (Linux, Rust, Air-Gapped Defense Tech)

TL;DR

Field Software Engineer (Linux, Rust, Air-Gapped Defense Tech): Deploy and debug production software solutions in the field for disconnected, air-gapped environments with an accent on networking failure diagnosis, firmware/hardware integration, and shipping fixes on tight timelines. Focus on translating on-site field signal into product priorities while collaborating with a core engineering team to solve complex real-world problems.

Location: San Jose, CA (on-site); travel 35–50% domestically

Salary: $165,000–$220,000 base + equity

Company

hirify.global partners with startups and high-growth companies to help them hire technical talent; this role is with one of its clients.

What you will do

• Deploy, debug, and ship software solutions with defense, government, and industrial customers in air-gapped or fully disconnected environments with limited external support.
• Cycle between customer sites and the San Jose office to gather field signal, bring it back, and iterate.
• Diagnose and resolve technical problems on the fly (networking failures, firmware bugs, hardware integration issues) using Linux and appropriate tools/languages (Linux, Android/Java, Rust, Python, or C as needed).
• Act as the company’s ambassador on-site with credibility at executive and commander level, translating field learnings into product priorities.
• Collaborate with a core engineering team of PhDs and domain specialists to resolve complex challenges that surface only in real-world conditions.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship (contractual) and active Secret clearance or eligibility to obtain one.
• 3–5 years of hands-on software engineering experience with demonstrated on-site customer deployment in hardware-integrated or field environments.
• Strong Linux fundamentals and networking knowledge applicable to disconnected field environments without remote technical support.
• Proficiency in at least one low-level language (C or Rust) and comfort with Android/Java; ability to work across abstraction levels.
• Background where software touches the physical world (embedded systems, defense tech, robotics, aerospace, IoT, factory automation).
• Willingness to travel 35–50% domestically, based out of San Jose, CA.

Culture & Benefits

• On-site engineering role with direct access to leadership in an early-stage, ~55-person company.
• Meaningful equity at an early stage.
• Unlimited PTO; medical, dental, and vision coverage; HSA & FSA; 401(k).
• Commuter benefit and AI platform credits; catered lunch.
• Work focused on mission-critical infrastructure and defense/industrial deployments in austere conditions.

Hiring process

• HR screen, then optional internal recruiter screen.
• Hiring manager screen with the Platform Architect, followed by a technical assessment (live problem-solving).
• On-site loop interviews and final CEO interview, then offer.