Forward Deployed Engineer

About the Role

We are seeking Forward Deployed Software Engineers to join our expanding team in the Austin area. In this role, you’ll take on a diverse set of challenges spanning full-stack development, networking, systems integration, and user-focused problem solving-always balancing speed, scalability, and sound engineering judgment.

You’ll collaborate closely with Product Engineering and Design, while working hand-in-hand with our Mission Success team to deliver end-to-end solutions that empower military logisticians. Our engineers thrive on ownership and accountability, approaching every project with a practical, execution-oriented mindset.

You’ll work in small teams with minimal supervision and own end-to-end execution of high-stakes projects for our military customers. The right candidate will consistently deliver reliable, timely, and high-quality outcomes while keeping our mission at the forefront of decision-making.

What You’ll Do

• Work side-by-side with end users and stakeholders to understand their toughest challenges, then design and deliver software solutions that directly address those needs.
• Take full ownership of features from concept to deployment, including prototyping, integrating with existing systems, and ensuring performance in demanding real-world environments.
• Collaborate across engineering, product, design, and operations teams to build scalable systems, prioritize work, and drive complex projects to completion.
• Continuously monitor and improve system reliability and performance by instrumenting code, analyzing metrics, diagnosing issues, and iterating on fixes.
• Balance short-term urgency with long-term maintainability-making thoughtful trade-offs that keep solutions practical, effective, and mission-focused.
• Travel roughly ~25% to deploy, field-test, and support software systems, gathering feedback directly from users to ensure success in operational settings.

Qualifications

• Strong coding skills with demonstrated proficiency in programming languages such as Go, C++, TypeScript/JavaScript, or similar.
• High ownership mindset; we’re looking for a motivated individual who is biased to action and to assume responsibility for all aspects of the development and deployment of our software for a specific military customer.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in teams of technical and non-technical individuals, and comfortable working in a rapidly changing environment with dynamic objectives and iteration with users.
• Strong communication abilities, with an interest and aptitude to lead customer-facing engineering interactions.
• Active U.S. secret security clearance required; top secret preferred.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working on software in defense, aerospace, or other complex operational domains.
• Familiarity with logistics, supply chain, or sustainment challenges - especially in military contexts.
• Experience deploying software to production environments and managing cloud infrastructure (e.g. AWS, Kubernetes) as well as Edge infrastructure.
• Exposure to data engineering, analytics, or machine learning in operational contexts.

Benefits

• Rune offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees to include a full suite of insurance options at no cost for employees and low-cost to spouses and dependents.
• Highly competitive equity grants are also included in the majority of full time offers and are considered part of Rune's total compensation package.
• Benefits include:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans; premiums 100% covered by Rune for all employees; exceptionally low premiums for spouses and dependents
• Basic life insurance and disability 100% covered for all employees by Rune; option to purchase additional life insurance available
• ‘Take the time off that you need, when you need it’ paid time off, not accrual based
• Generous company holiday calendar including a holiday shutdown in December
• Supportive leave of absence program including time off for military service, medical events, and parental leave
• Full 401(k) retirement plan for all full-time eligible employees
• Company-funded commuter benefits
• Free access to on-site gym at office