Field Software Engineer

Title: Field Software Engineer

Location: Arlington, VA

Department: Engineering

Job Description:

About Quartermaster:

At Quartermaster, we are closing the intelligence blindspots across the world’s oceans. We transform maritime fleets into a persistent sensing layer, deploying advanced edge-compute nodes equipped with high-definition cameras, Software Defined Radios (SDRs), and edge AI processors, all backhauled via Starlink. We operate in the most remote environments on earth, processing massive amounts of RF and visual data at the edge to deliver real-time maritime domain awareness.

The Role:

We are looking for a Field Software Engineer to support the configuration and activation of our sensor fleet the moment it gets bolted to a ship. While technicians handle the physical installation, you are responsible for the remote setup and continuous operation of these complex, distributed systems. You will activate newly installed sensors, configure its cameras and SDRs, remotely diagnose and fix critical issues, bringing on new nodes in our global intelligence network.

What You’ll Do:

Remote Provisioning: Remotely configure edge nodes, activate Starlink connections, and calibrate cameras and SDRs immediately after physical installation.

Remote Troubleshooting: Act as the escalation point for edge node health. You will independently debug Linux systems, container crashes, and hardware-software integration issues from thousands of miles away.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as the critical bridge between the field technicians bolting the gear to the ship, the backend engineers ingesting the data, and the AI team deploying edge models.

What You Bring:

Linux & Systems Mastery: Deep, hands-on expertise in Linux systems administration, bash scripting, and systemd. You know how to keep a headless Linux box alive.

Advanced Networking: Strong fundamental knowledge of TCP/IP, NAT traversal, VPNs, routing, and dealing with the quirks of satellite/CGNAT networks.

Containerization at the Edge: Proven experience running containerized workloads (Docker, K3s, IoT edge runtimes) in resource-constrained environments.

Bonus Points:

Hardware/Sensor Experience: Familiarity with managing video streaming pipelines (RTSP, WebRTC, GStreamer, ffmpeg).

RF/SDR Knowledge: Experience working with Software Defined Radios, GNU Radio, or processing RF telemetry.

Maritime Tech: Knowledge of maritime protocols like AIS (Automatic Identification System) or NMEA data.

Clearance: Active US Security Clearance (or eligibility/willingness to obtain one).

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).

• 3–8+ years of experience in systems administration, field engineering, technical support engineering, or distributed systems operations.

• Deep hands-on experience administering Linux systems, including systems, bash scripting, and debugging headless machines.

• Strong networking fundamentals including TCP/IP, NAT/CGNAT, routing, VPNs, and network troubleshooting.

• Experience deploying and operating containerized workloads using tools like Docker and lightweight orchestration platforms (e.g., K3s).

• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot hardware–software integration issues and operate systems in unreliable environments (intermittent power or connectivity).

• Must be eligible to obtain/maintain a security clearance.

Why Quartermaster?

Mission-Critical Impact: Your contributions will directly secure the world’s oceans, powering real-time intelligence for safety and defense.

Unique Technical Challenges: Leave standard CRUD apps behind. Solve novel problems involving hardware, RF, video AI, and satellite networks.

Startup Agility: A high-autonomy environment with competitive compensation, equity, and the opportunity to define our engineering culture.