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.
As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you will be driving one of the most critical outcomes for our business by doing the complex engineering work required to deploy a complex kubernetes microservice architecture onto classified cloud environments. You’ll be a cross functional expert on software development, DevSecOps, cloud infrastructure, and government accreditation processes. You’ll work closely with fellow Software Engineers, Product Managers, Cybersecurity professionals, and end users to deliver cutting edge capability to the warfighter.
In this role, you are expected to take ownership and do whatever it takes to deliver game changing capabilities. You’ll drive key technical decisions and establish best practices for software development and delivery across teams. You’ll have the chance to build and deliver applications that leverage state of the art tools in Machine Learning and AI, to solve for mission critical workflows.
- Develop applications to be hosted on classified networks.
- Implement DevSecOps practices for software deployment.
- Implement critical security controls to meet accreditation standards for the Department of Defense.
- Provide hands on keyboard support to deploy software on classified networks.
- Implement logging + monitoring solutions for debugging complex software systems.
- Work with Information Systems Security Mangers (ISSMs), Information System Security Officers (ISSOs) and Authorizing Officials (AOs) to accredit a microservice container architecture for classified cloud.
- Work with internal developer teams to ensure timely patching of software vulnerabilities and code security best practices.
- 5+ years of full stack software developer or site reliability engineer experience.
- Experience building with AWS architecture.
- Experience deploying code to classified infrastructure.
- Experience with Kubernetes.
- Located in Hawaii, San Diego or Charleston.
- Familiarity with the Risk Management Framework (RMF) process for obtaining an Authority to Operate (ATO).
- Minimum TS clearance.
- Experience with Typescript, React, and Node.
- Experience building applications that utilize Large Language Models (LLMs).
- Familiarity with Trivy, Sonarqube, Nessus scanning, Rancher.
- TS clearance with SCI Eligibility.
The salary range for this position is $150,000 - $215,000 + equity. Within the range, individual pay is determined by experience, relevant education, and/or training.
Comprehensive Benefits- 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
We are committed to protecting the privacy of all applicants. Official emails from the company will come from an @vannevarlabs.com domain. Under no circumstances will a legitimate representative from our company contact you to request passwords, financial information, or other sensitive personal data. Please be vigilant of potential scams.
What the Team is Saying
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Vannevar Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Employer-verified health, dental, vision, and mental-health coverage are consistently listed, indicating comprehensive medical support. Additional wellness resources and stipends reinforce access to preventive and mental healthcare.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with company match is highlighted alongside long-term ownership programs such as equity and an ESPP, signaling strong retirement and savings support. Public profiles characterize the match as generous, complementing core benefits.
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Parental & Family Support — Fully paid parental leave, fertility and family-planning assistance, childcare benefits, and caregiving stipends during work travel indicate strong support for families. These offerings appear repeatedly across recent postings and benefit summaries.
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What We Do
Vannevar combines Silicon Valley innovation with former special operators to build AI for real-world national security outcomes. Since our founding in 2019, Vannevar has deployed its technology across 125 missions, safeguarding our service members and improving our country's deterrence. We believe our military service members and intelligence officers deserve access to the best technology American innovation can offer, and we are mobilizing frontier technology for this mission. Our founders have 30 years of combined experience across AI labs, national security strategy, intelligence agencies and special operations. We're supported by a number of leading VCs, including Felicis, DFJ Growth, Point72, Costanoa, and General Catalyst. Vannevar is one of the most capital efficient defense tech companies, reaching early profitability and becoming a defense tech unicorn in 2024.
Why Work With Us
We pride ourselves on being a team of passionate, low-ego professionals who share a commitment to engineering excellence and a genuine concern for the people and AI agents we deliver. Vannevar is a company that truly cares about its people and one of our core principles is "put your wellbeing first".
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We are distributed across the map, but united by the mission. We go where the mission takes us and deliver where others can’t. Honolulu, Seattle, San Francisco, Washington D.C., New York. You decide what's next.
