Forward Deployed Engineering Manager

Job overview

The Forward Deployed Engineering Manager role is onsite in Birmingham, AL, with approximately 50% travel to customer sites, test locations, and maritime operating environments. Compensation is $140,000–$170,000 per year. The role supports Tocaro Blue’s ProteusCore and ApolloCore platforms, which apply software, AI, and machine learning to maritime sensing and situational awareness. This manager leads and develops a team of up to four Forward Deployed Engineers while remaining hands-on with customer deployments, integrations, testing, and field troubleshooting. The role connects customers with internal engineering teams and turns operational findings into improvements to system reliability, usability, and scalability.

What you'll do

• Lead, coach, and develop up to four Forward Deployed Engineers
• serve as a primary customer technical and operational contact during integrations, demonstrations, testing, sea trials, and deployments
• plan deployments and allocate schedules and resources
• troubleshoot complex field issues
• support mechanical, electrical, networking, and software integration of platforms and marine sensors
• analyze mission data and share actionable findings with engineering and product teams
• drive root-cause resolution.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

forward deployed engineering

engineering manager

birmingham al

tocaro blue

maritime technology

proteuscore

apollocore

customer deployments

field engineering

50% travel

$140k–$170k/year

u.s. person eligibility

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Benefits & perks

• 401(k) matching up to 4%
• health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• in-house product training
• potential incentive equity compensation.

Why this role

Approximately 50% travel; hands-on leadership supporting maritime sensing programs and unmanned surface vessel builders; U.S. Person eligibility required, and visa sponsorship is unavailable.

About the employer

Tocaro Blue is hiring for this role. Industry: Engineering Services. Sector: 54.