Job Description
The Role
Istari’s software doesn’t just get handed off, it gets deployed into some of the most complex engineering environments in aerospace and defense. As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you’ll be embedded directly inside our customer organizations, operating as part of their team while remaining tightly connected to Istari’s product and engineering core.
This is not a support role. You are a builder. You’ll write real code, architect integrations, and solve hard problems that emerge at the intersection of digital engineering workflows and mission-critical operations. The challenges you’ll tackle require the instincts of a strong software engineer and the adaptability of someone who thrives in unstructured environments. Challenges like connecting CAD, CFD, FEM pipelines to Istari’s platform; unlocking cross-discipline and cross-clearance collaboration; enabling organizations to actually use the tools in which they’ve invested.
You’ll work alongside Istari Program Managers who are embedded in the same customer environments. They carry the program context and stakeholder relationships while you own the technical execution. Together, you operate as a unit capable of handling almost anything a customer throws at you. The best Forward Deployed Engineers make our product smarter, not just our customers happier.
Core Responsibilities:
Onsite Technical Delivery
Embed with customer engineering teams to understand their workflows, data environments, and technical constraints
Architect and build software solutions that integrate Istari’s platform into existing digital engineering ecosystems (CAD, CFD, FEM, simulation pipelines, and related toolchains)
Serve as the primary technical interface for the customer – not just answering questions, but proactively identifying where our software can drive more value
Software Development
Develop, test, and maintain integrations and workflow solutions following modern software engineering practices
Write clean, maintainable code that can be productized or reused across customer deployments
Contribute to internal tooling and documentation that scales your knowledge across the team
Feedback Loop to Product
Translate field experience into actionable product insights — you are one of Istari’s clearest signals on what customers actually need
Participate in internal engineering reviews, architecture discussions, and roadmap planning
Help develop proposals and technical approaches for new customer opportunities
Required Qualifications:
Required
Strong software engineering fundamentals — you write production-quality code and can defend your architectural decisions
Hands-on experience with digital engineering toolchains: CAD, CFD, FEM, or related simulation and modeling environments
Comfort operating in ambiguous, fast-moving environments without a lot of hand-holding
Ability to work on-site with customers in a U.S. defense or aerospace context (clearance eligibility required; active clearance a strong plus)
U.S. citizenship required
Preferred
Experience integrating engineering software into larger data or workflow platforms
Background in aerospace, defense, or other systems-engineering-heavy industries
Exposure to Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) or digital thread / digital twin concepts
Exposure to or direct experience with advanced CAD, CFD, or FEM tools
Why This Role?
The engineers who do this job well become some of the most technically well-rounded people in the industry. You’ll see how large, complex organizations actually work – not just the happy path. You’ll build things that get used immediately. And because you’re reporting into Istari’s Customer Success org (not a sales or account team), your career trajectory stays technical. You’ll also have the Istari team behind you: regular syncs, access to internal engineering resources, and a clear path to influence the product you’re deploying.
About Istari Digital
Istari is a digital engineering software company building open, scalable infrastructure for engineering data. Our platform lets customers simply and securely integrate engineering models across disciplines, organizations, and security levels – whether they’re designing prototypes, performing virtual testing, or training AI and autonomy for complex systems.
Focus is rewarded. Finish is remembered.
Facts are friendly. Even when they are not fun.
Fellowship is fundamental. Make others successful.
$143,000 - $165,000 a year
The anticipated compensation range for this position may vary based on experience, skills, qualifications, location, and business needs. In addition to base salary, this role may be eligible for bonuses, equity, and a comprehensive benefits package.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
