Field Applications Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Field Applications Engineer

SightLine Applications LLC is the leader in onboard video processing. SightLine is looking for a talented engineer to join our customer support team. SightLine is an agile, innovative company developing onboard video processing systems for the autonomous vehicle industry (UAV, drone, robot, etc.). We are looking for someone enthusiastic about making a significant contribution.

Purpose of Position

This role involves collaborating with our business development, sales, and engineering teams to provide comprehensive support to Sightline’s Strategic customers. The ideal candidate has excellent communication skills, can patiently troubleshoot new configurations, and is eager to solve problems.

Summary of Essential Job Functions

Strategic Account Support

• Act as the lead technical contact for assigned strategic accounts throughout the product lifecycle.
• Provide expert-level guidance on integration, customization, and optimization of SightLine systems.
• Coordinate closely with engineering and product teams to advocate for customer needs and influence roadmap direction.
• Participate in field visits, flight tests, and design reviews as needed (up to 50% travel depending on customer test schedules and integration timelines).
• Build long-term technical relationships and trust with engineering stakeholders and decision-makers at key customer sites.

Support for DoD demonstrations and Field Events

• Support DoD end-user engagements, including live demonstrations, operational test events, and technical experimentation.
• Provide onsite technical expertise during field activities; assist in setup, execution, and troubleshooting.
• Conduct post-event activities, including drafting detailed trip reports and delivering technical debriefs to internal teams to inform product improvements and customer strategy.

Pre-Sales Technical Engagement

• Partner with sales and business development to qualify opportunities and identify technical fit.
• Participate in discovery meetings to gather system requirements and integration goals.
• Design tailored solution architectures that demonstrate SightLine’s value and technical advantages.
• Prepare and deliver custom technical presentations and product demonstrations to prospective customers.
• Support proof-of-concept efforts, test configurations, and technical validation activities to accelerate the sales cycle.

Cross-Team Collaboration & Downtime Support

• Collaborate with integration and support teams on internal projects or escalations during low customer activity periods.
• Contribute to internal knowledge bases, integration documentation, or support tools as needed.
• Help identify technical patterns or trends that inform support processes and product improvements.

Education and Experience Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field preferred, or equivalent hands-on integration and field experience.
• 5+ years of experience in field applications, systems engineering, or technical sales roles.
• Strong foundation in embedded systems, C/C++ software, hardware/software integration.
• Familiarity with IP networking protocols (TCP, UDP, DHCP) and video streaming systems.
• Demonstrated ability to engage technically during all phases of the customer lifecycle, especially in pre-sales solution design.
• Excellent communication skills — capable of translating technical concepts to business value and vice versa.
• Comfortable working independently with strategic customers and cross-functional internal teams.
• Eligible to work in the United States.

Beneficial Experience (preferred, not required)

• Experience in real-time video processing, camera systems, or autonomous platforms.
• Understanding of UAV integration, avionics, or payload deployment.
• Familiarity with circuit board schematics, FPGAs, or system-level signal flow.
• Experience influencing product direction through field/customer feedback.

Salary and Benefits

Estimated salary range for this position is $95K to $120K annually, depending on experience.

We are open to hiring candidates with varying levels of experience. The estimated salary band will be adjusted based on the candidate’s experience and expertise.

Compensation includes salary, 11 paid holidays, PTO (20 days earned over the first year), health insurance (100% SightLine covered for HDHP with HSA), dental, vision, life/disability, 401K match, incentive plan, SightLine paid OR PFMLI coverage, schedule flexibility, parental leave, and education reimbursement.

About SightLine

SightLine Applications has two offices: Hood River and Portland, OR. The Hood River office includes sales, software engineering, and support teams. Our Portland office includes manufacturing, software, hardware engineering, and QA teams. The two offices are in constant communication and get together regularly to discuss ongoing projects and new opportunities. We work in an open office setting, actively communicating about projects and customers throughout the day. SightLine is a member of the Gorge Technology Alliance and regularly sponsors Capstone teams at Portland State University.

SightLine Applications, LLC provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. Our ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts help us continually improve employee support.

Don’t think this job description is the perfect fit? Send us your resume and a cover letter telling us who you are and why you want to work at SightLine. We’re always looking for new talent to add to our team.