Senior Systems Integration Engineer, FDE

About Ditto:

Ditto is redefining how data moves at the edge. Our mission is to make it seamless for developers to build resilient, real-time applications, regardless of network conditions. Ditto s peer-to-peer sync engine ensures devices stay connected and data stays consistent, even without internet, in diverse environments. We are a globally distributed, fast-growing startup committed to building a diverse and inclusive team.

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. You will feed technical insights and feature requirements back to our core product engineering team and solve problems in high-stakes environments with adaptability and urgency.

• Architect End-to-End System Integrations: Design and implement the full integration stack that connects our software to the SOCOM operational ecosystem, including TAK (Team Awareness Kit) servers, tactical datalinks, and mission command systems.
• Implement Cursor-on-Target (CoT) Pipelines: Build, deploy, and maintain robust CoT event ingestion and dissemination pipelines that enable real-time situational awareness across disparate systems and classification levels.
• Design Datalink and System Interfaces: Engineer software adapters and translation layers that bridge our platform with legacy and modern datalink protocols, ensuring bidirectional interoperability with the broader C2 architecture.
• Solve Problems in Real-Time: Act as the first line of technical defense at SOCOM sites, rapidly diagnosing and resolving integration failures, data flow interruptions, and system interoperability issues as they arise.
• Bridge the Gap: Translate edge-case operational realities into actionable technical requirements and system design proposals for the core product development team.

• Clearance Requirement: Must hold an active Secret clearance (U.S. Citizenship is strictly required for this role).
• 5+ years of experience in systems integration engineering, software engineering, or technical program execution, including hands-on experience integrating software with military C2 systems, sensor platforms, or tactical communications systems.
• 2+ years of technical experience with Cursor-on-Target (CoT) message formats and TAK ecosystem tools (TAK Server, ATAK, WinTAK), including standing up servers, configuring data feeds, and debugging message flows.
• Demonstrated experience with system design for complex, multi-vendor integration environments. Whiteboard a full data flow from a sensor to a display and propose solutions across protocol boundaries.
• A highly adaptable, problem-solving mindset with the ability to navigate ambiguity, move fast, and balance immediate fixes with long-term technical fidelity.
• Strong communication skills to translate complex, edge-case technical realities into clear, actionable requirements for product engineers.

• Experience with tactical datalink protocols beyond CoT, including Link 16, VMF, or JREAP, and understanding of how these datalinks feed into the broader joint C2 picture.
• Familiarity with SOF-specific mission command systems and the integration requirements of SOCOM s distributed operational architecture.
• Experience with API design and middleware development for connecting heterogeneous military systems (e.g., ESBs, message brokers, protocol translation gateways).
• Edge computing architectures experience, including deploying integration logic on resource-constrained hardware at the tactical edge.
• Experience working with SOCOM, JSOC, or Component Command customers and understanding how operational workflows drive integration requirements.
• Familiarity with lightweight container orchestration (e.g., K3s, Docker Compose) for deploying integration services in austere environments.
• A background in software development (e.g., Python, Go, Java, or C++) with ability to write custom parsers, adapters, and integration glue code.

Location: Tampa, FL / Ft. Liberty, NC (On-site required)

Clearance: Secret

We offer competitive salaries and meaningful equity. Benefits vary by region. In the US, that includes health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, plus a 401(k) and flexible spending accounts. Flexible time off is available to all employees. Our Atlanta and San Francisco offices are open for collaboration if you ever want a place to work or meet up with teammates.

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…