Forward Deployed Hardware Integration Engineer

About Us:

Havoc is a leader in all-domain collaborative autonomy. Its software-defined hardware approach powers military and commercial-grade autonomous systems across sea, air, and land to sense, decide, and act together in complex and contested environments. Havoc connects assets, enabling them to share information, adapt in real time, and continue operating even when communications are disrupted or denied. Havoc optimizes mission performance and minimizes human risk.
Havoc was founded in 2024 and headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. Learn more at Havoc: All-Domain Collaborative Autonomy .

About the Role:

Havoc’s uncrewed systems are proven, fielded and operating with customers and allied partners around the world. As a Forward Deployed Hardware Integration Engineer, you’ll be Havoc’s engineer on the ground. You’ll deploy internationally alongside customers and partner forces to integrate, install, sustain and adapt our uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and other autonomous platforms in austere, contested and high-risk environments.

The role leans electrical with a strong electromechanical side. You’ll own vehicle- and platform-level integration across power, RF and communications, compute and signal distribution, and you’ll be just as comfortable with motors, actuators, electronics enclosures, bracketry, and mounting and routing systems. In the field, you’ll keep systems mission-ready, adapt them to new platforms and missions, and bring operational lessons back to our engineering teams at home.

This role requires up to 80% travel, including extended international deployments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Global Deployment & Operational Integration: Deploy internationally to customer and partner locations, including austere and operational environments. Install, integrate, commission and sustain fielded HavocAI systems on customer and partner vessels and platforms. Serve as HavocAI’s technical lead in the field and train operators and maintainers.

• Electrical Integration & Sustainment: Integrate and maintain power systems, batteries, converters, radios, compute, harnesses, circuit protection and antennas on partner platforms. Diagnose and resolve power, EMI/EMC, communication link, sensor and embedded electronics issues in operational conditions. Rework, repair and build harnesses in the field.

• Mechanical & Electromechanical Integration: Integrate and service motors, actuators, steering and propulsion components. Design and fabricate brackets, mounts and adapter hardware to fit HavocAI systems, payloads, sensors and antennas onto new platforms. Modify electronics enclosures for sealing, thermal, shock and vibration. Plan cable routing, strain relief and protection for harsh marine environments.

• Rapid Mission Adaptation: Quickly adapt proven systems to new vessels, payloads and mission requirements in the field, often with limited tools, parts and time.

• Operational Feedback Loop: Capture performance data, failures, root causes and field modifications from real-world operations, and turn them into product improvements with our engineering and manufacturing teams.

• Documentation: Maintain as-built configurations, wiring diagrams, ICDs, installation guides and field service reports.

• Deployment Readiness: Manage field kits, spares and tooling. Partner with operations on international shipping, logistics and export-control requirements.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of hands-on hardware integration, field engineering or sustainment experience with electrical and electromechanical systems.

• Strong electrical background in power distribution, batteries, DC-DC conversion, harnessing, grounding and EMI/EMC.

• Experience with RF and communications systems, including radios, antennas, GPS and data links.

• Working mechanical knowledge of motors, actuators, enclosures, brackets, fasteners, mounting and cable routing.

• Ability to create basic mechanical designs in CAD (SolidWorks or similar).

• Ability to create and interpret schematics, wiring diagrams, harness documentation and mechanical drawings.

• Proven ability to integrate and troubleshoot complex systems in the field with limited resources.

• Willingness and ability to travel internationally up to 80%, including extended deployments to austere, high-risk and conflict environments.

• An active, valid U.S. passport, and the ability to meet pre-deployment medical, training and security requirements.

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work for extended periods outdoors and aboard vessels, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics or related field, or equivalent experience.

• Must be a U.S. Citizen and eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance, as required for the position.

Preferred Skills:

• Prior forward deployed, field service engineer (FSR/FSE), military or defense contractor experience.

• International field experience, including in austere, high-risk or conflict environments.

• Experience with uncrewed systems, especially maritime platforms (USVs, UUVs, UAVs or UGVs).

• Active Secret clearance or higher.

• Experience with ruggedized and marine systems: IP-rated enclosures, sealing, corrosion mitigation, shock and vibration.

• Hands-on fabrication skills such as crimping and soldering to IPC/WHMA-A-620 standards, 3D printing and basic machining.

• Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT), TCCC or advanced first aid.

• Foreign language proficiency relevant to international operations.

• Familiarity with Altium, SolidWorks Electrical, Zuken or Arena.

Deployment and Working Conditions:

This position involves travel to, and work in, international locations that may include areas of armed conflict, civil unrest or elevated security risk. Work in these environments carries inherent risks, including the risk of serious injury, illness or death, and may involve extreme weather, limited access to medical care, restricted communications and other hazardous conditions. Candidates should consider these conditions carefully before applying.

Location:

• North Kingstown, RI (preferred). Open to strong candidates based at other Havoc sites in Austin, TX; San Diego, CA; or Boston, MA.

Benefits:

• 100% Employer paid Health Insurance

• Dental and Vision Insurance for you and your families

• Life Insurance (Employer Paid)

• Ability to participate in the companies 401k program (Matching)

• Unlimited PTO policy with an enforced 2 week minimum

• Equity Package

• Work / Home Office Stipend

• Global Entry

• 16 Week Paid Parental Leave

• Monthly Health and Wellness Stipend

Our Values:

• Innovation: We are driven to break new ground. Every day presents an opportunity to challenge the status quo, think boldly, and deliver advanced solutions that transform the future of defense technology.

• Integrity: We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparency, accountability, and trust in all our actions and partnerships.

• Mission-Driven: We are focused on achieving impactful outcomes that align with our core mission—protecting lives through innovation.

• Forward-Leaning: We continuously seek out new opportunities and remain at the forefront of technological advancements. We embrace change and anticipate the challenges of tomorrow with confidence and creativity.

• Ownership of All Tasks: At HavocAI, no problem is too complex or too trivial. We believe that greatness comes from tackling the hardest challenges, but also in handling the smallest, sometimes thankless, tasks with the same level of commitment and care.

• Servant Leadership: We lead by serving others, whether it’s supporting our employees, partners, or the broader community. Empowering those around us is key to achieving long-term success and making a lasting impact.

HavocAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.