[Hiring] Senior Software Engineer, Networking FDE @Ditto

Role Description

As a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE), you are the technical tip of the spear. FDEs are elite, versatile engineers who work shoulder-to-shoulder with our most critical users to solve complex challenges in real time. Your primary mission is to radically decrease the time-to-value of our software by integrating it directly into the user's operational environment.

Because you see firsthand how our technology performs in the wild, you will also act as a crucial conduit, feeding technical insights and feature requirements back to our core product engineering team. This role requires a highly adaptable problem-solver who is comfortable moving fast, navigating ambiguity, and figuring things out quickly in high-stakes environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect Tactical Network Infrastructure:
  • Design, deploy, and maintain the network transport layer that connects our software across SOCOM's operational environments, from garrison to the tactical edge, including configuration of routers, switches, and subnetting for segmented, multi-enclave networks.
• Integrate and Optimize Tactical Radio Networks:
  • Configure and troubleshoot data flows across tactical radio systems (e.g., AN/PRC-117G, AN/PRC-163, MPU5), ensuring reliable IP transport over constrained, intermittent, and low-bandwidth RF links.
• Implement Multi-Bridging and Cross-Network Routing:
  • Engineer multi-bridge configurations that enable data to traverse heterogeneous network segments — including tactical radios, local Wi-Fi, LTE, and SATCOM — with optimized routing, QoS, and payload compression for bandwidth-constrained environments.
• Solve Problems in Real-Time:
  • Act as the first line of technical defense for network-layer issues, rapidly diagnosing and resolving connectivity failures, routing loops, radio interoperability problems, and throughput degradation as they arise.
• Bridge the Gap:
  • Translate the unique, edge-case operational realities you observe (e.g., waveform-specific throughput limitations, MANET topology instability, multi-enclave routing conflicts) into actionable technical requirements for the core product development team.

Qualifications

• Must hold an active Secret clearance (Due to federal security clearance requirements, U.S. Citizenship is strictly required for this role).
• 5+ years of experience in network engineering, tactical communications, or IT infrastructure in military or high-security environments.
• 2+ years of technical experience with tactical radio systems and their IP networking capabilities.
• Strong proficiency in network fundamentals including subnetting, VLANs, static and dynamic routing (OSPF, BGP), NAT, firewall ACLs, and packet-level troubleshooting.
• A highly adaptable, problem-solving mindset, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, move fast, and balance immediate operational fixes with long-term technical fidelity.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.

Nice to Haves

• Experience with multi-bridge networking solutions (e.g., Persistent Systems MPU5 Wave Relay, TrellisWare, or similar mesh networking platforms).
• Familiarity with SATCOM and beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) data transport.
• Network certifications such as CCNA, CCNP, CompTIA Network+, or equivalent military networking training.
• Experience with software-defined networking (SDN) or network automation.
• Prior experience operating at the SOF tactical edge.
• Previous experience working directly with SOCOM, JSOC, or Component Command customers.
• Familiarity with HAIPE/Type-1 encryptors and their integration into tactical network architectures.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries and meaningful equity.
• Health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• 401(k) and flexible spending accounts.
• Flexible time off.
• Access to open offices in Atlanta and San Francisco for remote workers.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ditto is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or any employment decision based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.