About Forterra

At Forterra, we are unleashing autonomy at scale to transform the battlefield. Our mission is to build the foundational platforms that enable an intelligent ecosystem to coordinate, adapt, and execute with speed and precision even in the uncertainty and disruption of modern conflict. In an era marked by rapid technological change and evolving threats, we design for flexibility, survivability, and operational dominance.

Forterra delivers weapons, sensors, and battlefield effects through integrated autonomous networks reaching operational areas faster, safer, and without placing human lives at risk. Our systems operate with distributed control, dynamic routing, and real-time responsiveness, enabling sustained advantage across complex mission environments.

About the role

Forterra is a leader in autonomous systems for ground-based operations, developing technology that protects front-line soldiers and empowers civilian workers in critical industries. As the go-to provider of ground autonomy solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, Forterra develops advanced platforms that bring reliability and intelligence to the edge. We’re now expanding that mission through Vektor — a next-generation, edge-deployed, software-defined communication and smart data-brokering layer designed for operations in disrupted, degraded, intermittent, and low-bandwidth (DDIL) environments. Joining the Vektor team means helping shape how humans and autonomous systems stay connected

when it matters most.

What you'll do

• Design, develop, and optimize C++ and Python components supporting critical middleware, configuration management, data logging, and diagnostic subsystems in distributed robotic platforms.
• Translate high-level concepts and system requirements into reliable, maintainable software implementations.
• Analyze and validate software for safety, reliability, maintainability, testability, and system security across complex, mission-critical systems.
• Debug and triage real-world communication and networking challenges from deployed autonomous ground systems.
• Implement and maintain robust unit, integration, and system-level tests to ensure stability and performance.
• Profile, troubleshoot, and optimize software performance across multiple hardware and networked subsystems.
• Contribute to the evolution of our architecture, shaping how autonomous platforms communicate, share data, and operate in constrained environments.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5 Years of experience developing in Linux-based environments
• Hands-on experience with middleware frameworks and communication protocols (e.g., ROS, DDS, Protobuf, gRPC)
• Ability to write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code
• Strong understanding of multi-threaded programming, concurrency, and performance optimization
• Proven ability to design scalable systems and develop clean, intuitive APIs
• Eligibility to obtain a U.S. Secret security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with the challenges of wireless, wired, cloud, and satellite communications
• Working knowledge of networking fundamentals — TCP/IP stack, TCP, UDP, IPv4, routing, and firewall tools (e.g., iptables)
• Experience with distributed system

US Salary Range
 $155,000 - $180,000

The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation factors. The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra’s overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.  
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption. 
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires. 
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.

CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY - This position may require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. For more information about U.S. Security Clearances: click here.   

Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in all personnel practices. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain.  

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran and disability status, and criminal history, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Forterra is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.

To see Forterra’s candidate data privacy policy, please visit Forterra Legal | Job Applicant Privacy Notice.