Forward Deployment Engineer

Technova Industries is a startup building Nova Vision, an AI-powered vision automation platform for supply chain operations. As our Forward Deployment Technician, you’ll take each deployment from the first technical call to a working system the customer can use. You’ll get the hardware wired, networked and running at the customer’s facility, and stay with it until it works. Our founders and engineering team handle the software and AI. You handle the field., You’ll live in the Milwaukee area. Expect regular travel to customer sites across the US, often on short notice. Travel expenses are covered.

What you’ll do

Project design and feasibility

• Join early technical calls to assess what’s feasible: site layout, camera placement, network and power constraints.
• Work with our sales and customer success team to scope projects and flag risks before we commit to a timeline or price.
• Bring what you learn in the field back into how we design the next project.

Network and IT setup

• Gather IT requirements from customer IT teams: network access, VLANs, QoS, VPN and IP addresses.
• Configure devices and connect them to customer networks, wired, Wi-Fi and remote.
• Set up and test hardware before the visit.

On-site installation

• Install and wire cameras, badge readers, gate-arm beams, I/O modules and forklift-mounted units, or direct the electricians and day labor who do.
• Work out power with the customer, such as battery versus forklift wiring.
• Test until trigger, timing and data are reliable, then leave the system running.

Support and handover

• Train the customer and be their first call for technical issues.
• Troubleshoot on site and remotely, and escalate software issues to engineering.
• Document every install so the next one is faster.

• Willing to travel often, on short notice.
• Technical background in computer science, software or IT, formal or self-taught.
• Networking skills: configuration, VLANs, VPN, IP addressing.
• Some electrical and IoT skills: wiring, power, sensors, I/O modules.
• Clear explanations of technical topics to non-technical people, in writing and out loud.
• A support mindset: patient and dependable with customers and with our sales and customer success team. You’ll give technical input to sales, but this is not a sales role.
• Lives in the Milwaukee area or can relocate before the start date.

Nice to have

• Interest in agentic AI.
• Experience with industrial cameras, badge or access control, or warehouse and yard equipment.
• Linux or edge devices
• Experience working with electricians, contractors or day labor.
• Startup experience.

This is not a desk job, and it’s not a fixed list of tasks. You’ll be a good fit if you:

• Want to be in the field: warehouses, distribution centers, maintenance shops.
• Like puzzles and enjoy figuring out why something isn’t working.
• Are curious and learn fast.
• Are comfortable in a startup, where priorities shift and you may need to take on something new on short notice.
• Want to build something new and grow with the company., Base salary can range from $50-80k, depending on experience, plus performance bonuses tied to deployment speed and success. We care more about fit than résumé length.

Start date

We’re hiring now and want someone who can join the next deployment window.

Pay: $50,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance