Forward Deployed Software Engineer | Real-Time 3D Systems – React | TypeScript | Three.js | WebSockets – $135,000–$200,000 base + RSUs

This Forward Deployed Software Engineer role puts you inside a newly formed Palantir team building real-time 3D applications with React, TypeScript, Three.js and WebSockets.

We are working with Palantir to find frontend-focused software engineers for a newly formed team building real-time, 3D applications across defense, autonomous systems and critical infrastructure.

This is not a standard dashboard or CRUD role. You'll transform live data from radar, cameras and other sensors into responsive visual experiences that help users understand complex environments and make mission-critical decisions.

Palantir has an exceptionally high technical hiring bar, but this opportunity is not reserved for candidates from defense. If you have built sophisticated frontend applications within autonomous vehicles, robotics, aerospace, simulation, gaming, geospatial technology or another real-time environment, your experience could translate extremely well.

What you'll work on as a Forward Deployed Software Engineer

You'll build modern React and TypeScript applications that:

Render high-volume sensor and tracking data in real time

Create interactive 3D environments using Three.js or similar JavaScript frameworks

Process and display streaming data through WebSockets and real-time APIs

Allow users to interact with tracked objects, cameras and autonomous systems

Integrate with scientific algorithms for track fusion and sensor calibration

Support the development of air traffic avoidance and navigation software

Translate highly technical data into clear, responsive user workflows

Run on edge infrastructure deployed in real operational environments

Connect frontend interfaces with algorithms, sensors and wider mission systems

Your primary focus will be frontend engineering, but you'll work across system boundaries. You should be comfortable understanding how data moves from sensors and algorithms through to the user interface, and collaborating with engineers across autonomy, robotics, systems integration and scientific computing.

What we're looking for in a Forward Deployed Software Engineer

You'll ideally bring:

Approximately 2-6 years of professional software engineering experience

Strong, hands-on expertise in React, TypeScript and JavaScript

Production experience building complex, frontend-first applications

Experience with Three.js or another JavaScript-based 3D visualization framework

Proven experience rendering live or streaming data using WebSockets or similar technologies

Strong knowledge of frontend performance, state management and data-intensive interfaces

The ability to work across frontend, algorithmic and system-integration layers

Familiarity with Docker and Kubernetes

A bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, robotics or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience

A genuine desire to continue developing as a frontend engineer

Eligibility and willingness to obtain a US Security Clearance

You do not need to be an expert in scientific algorithms, firmware or low-level engineering. Palantir already has specialists in these areas. What matters is your ability to understand complex systems, integrate with them and turn their outputs into fast, reliable and intuitive frontend experiences.

Engineers from autonomous systems companies such as Tesla, Waymo or similar environments are strongly encouraged to apply, particularly if you have worked with live vehicle, sensor, mapping or perception data.

Why join Palantir as a Forward Deployed Software Engineer?

Mission-critical impact

Build software supporting systems designed to protect civilian and military installations from real-world threats, including drone attacks.

Serious frontend engineering

Solve complex problems involving live data, high-performance rendering, 3D environments and operational system integration. This is well beyond a conventional web application.

Cutting-edge technology

Work alongside radar, cameras, RF systems, AI and machine learning algorithms, autonomous platforms and edge infrastructure.

Real-world deployment

Your software will run on actual hardware in real operational environments. What you build will be deployed, tested and used.

High ownership from day one

Join a newly formed, fast-growing team planning to make three hires. You'll have meaningful responsibility, strong visibility and the opportunity to make an impact early.

Learn across disciplines

Collaborate with engineers specializing in sensors, autonomy, robotics, scientific algorithms and distributed systems while maintaining a clear frontend focus.

Which Forward Deployed Software Engineer will thrive here?

This opportunity will suit a hungry, hands-on software engineer who:

Enjoys solving difficult frontend problems

Wants to see their work operating in the real world

Is comfortable moving quickly and taking ownership

Can work across technical boundaries without losing their frontend specialization

Is genuinely motivated by Palantir's defense and national-security mission

Wants to learn from highly capable engineers in a fast-paced environment

This is unlikely to suit someone whose experience and interests are primarily backend, firmware, low-level engineering or generic full-stack CRUD development.

Interview process

Palantir's process is thorough and designed to assess both technical capability and mission alignment:

An initial conversation covering your experience, goals and motivation

A general programming assessment in your preferred language

Technical interviews focused on programming, systems and real-world problem-solving

A final conversation exploring values, mission alignment and readiness for Palantir's fast-paced environment

The details

Base salary: $135,000-$200,000, depending on experience and location

Equity: RSUs

Work arrangement: Hybrid

Locations: Washington DC, Palo Alto, Seattle, New York or Denver

Location preference: Washington DC is preferred, with flexibility for strong candidates

Travel: Approximately 25%-75%, depending on the team, project and location

Security requirements: Candidates must be eligible and willing to obtain a US Security Clearance

Hiring plans: Two positions available

If you're a React-first engineer who wants to build sophisticated, real-time 3D products with tangible, mission-critical impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply for this Forward Deployed Software Engineer role

A Forward Deployed Software Engineer here ships production code directly with users, not behind three layers of process. If you have been considering a Forward Deployed Software Engineer move into real-time 3D systems, this is one of the strongest openings of 2026. Big Wave Digital has placed engineers into world-class product companies for over a decade — talk to us confidentially and we will walk you through the team, the stack (Three.js, React, TypeScript, WebSockets) and the interview loop before you commit. Apply now: every Forward Deployed Software Engineer search we run at this level moves fast.