{"id":2897566,"url":"https://alion.io/job/scout-ai-mission-operator-forward-deployed-engineer","title":"Mission Operator - Forward Deployed Engineer","company":{"id":1838705,"name":"Scout AI","domain":"scoutco.ai","url":"https://alion.io/company/scoutco","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Ashby","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":90,"open_postings":23,"ghost_share":0.087,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":137,"computed_at":"2026-10-22T06:10:10Z"}},"role":"Solutions","role_family":"Solutions","seniority":null,"employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Paso Robles, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":171000,"max_usd":376000,"period":"year","method":"role_country_seniority_unknown","sample_n":4335},"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2025-08-17T17:30:09Z","employer_posted_date":"2025-08-17","last_verified_at":"2026-10-22T18:44:04Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":431,"trust":{"level":"ghost","repost_count":0,"flags":["stale","company_stale"],"days_open":430},"description":"The future of defense will be decided by those who field intelligent machines at scale. At Scout AI, we’re developing Fury, the first robotic foundation model for defense, to give U.S. forces overwhelming, adaptable, and autonomous power across every domain. Fury enables human operators to command fleets of robots through natural language, and empowers those machines to sense, decide, and act together as one. This mission will ask everything of us: urgency, precision, and relentless work.\nThe Role\nWe’re hiring Mission Operators to act as forward-deployed operators and field engineers for our unmanned ground vehicle programs. You’ll own system performance in real-world environments, executing field missions, supporting high-visibility customer demos, and ensuring platforms are mission-ready at all times. Operating at the intersection of engineering, operations, and customer engagement, you’ll run test events, operate autonomous systems, and troubleshoot issues across hardware and software in real time. You’ll work closely with engineers to validate performance, drive rapid iteration, and deliver actionable field feedback.\nThis is a hands-on, field-heavy role. You’ll deploy, operate, and recover systems in dynamic environments while maintaining high standards of safety, professionalism, and technical execution. You’ll also represent Scout in front of customers, clearly communicating system capabilities and performance under real-world conditions.\nResponsibilities\nLead forward-deployed operation of autonomous and semi-autonomous ground systems in complex, real-world environments, supporting customer-facing demonstrations and field evaluations\n\nExecute and adapt mission test plans in dynamic conditions, ensuring successful outcomes while maintaining strict safety and operational standards\n\nServe as the on-site technical authority during field operations, diagnosing and resolving mechanical, electrical, and software issues in real time\n\nInterface directly with high-priority customers and stakeholders, briefing system capabilities, conducting live demonstrations, and representing product performance in the field\n\nCoordinate end-to-end field logistics including system deployment, mobility, sustainment, and recovery across distributed test environments\n\nDrive system readiness through hands-on maintenance, inspection, and rapid repair of vehicles, payloads, and supporting equipment\n\nCapture and communicate actionable field insights to engineering and product teams, influencing system improvements and future development\n\nMaintain operational awareness of system health, performance, and limitations to ensure mission success under austere conditions\n\nEnforce and model disciplined safety practices for personnel, equipment, and autonomous system operations\n\nQualifications\nExperience operating and sustaining vehicles, robotic systems, or complex field equipment in dynamic environments\n\nProficiency in off-road driving, trailering, and executing operations in austere or rugged conditions\n\nStrong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills, with the ability to diagnose and resolve issues across hardware and software systems\n\nHigh level of situational awareness with a disciplined approach to safety in field operations\n\nEffective communicator under pressure, capable of coordinating with engineering teams and interfacing with customers in real time\n\nSelf-directed and adaptable, with the ability to operate independently in field-heavy, fast-paced environments\n\nWillingness and enthusiasm to spend significant time outdoors supporting field missions and test operations\n\nMission-driven, with a strong interest in advancing autonomous systems for defense applications\n\nAbility to travel 50-75% to support testing, deployments, and customer engagements\n\nMust be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities\n\nPassion about defense of the United States and its allies\n\nMay be expected to obtain and hold a U.S. Top Secret security clearance\n\nWhy Join Scout\nWork on the world’s most important frontier, ensuring U.S. and allied dominance in the age of intelligent machines\n\nBe a core part of a team building the first defense-specific robotic foundation model\n\nCollaborate with some of the top engineers in autonomy, AI, and national security\n\nSee your work deployed on real systems\n\nHelp define the future of intelligent defense systems\n\nBacked by Draper Associates, Booz Allen Ventures, and other top investors\n\nBenefits\nCompetitive base salary and bonus\n\nMeaningful equity\n\nPremium medical, dental, and vision plans with $0 paycheck contribution\n\nCompetitive PTO and company holiday calendar\n\nCatered lunch daily and fully stocked kitchen\n\nEV charging\n\nRelocation assistance (depending on role eligibility)","description_format":"text","description_chars":4794,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":null,"security_clearance":true,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity","Relocation assistance"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":true,"industries":["Defense 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