Kaizen Labs
Forward Deployed Software Engineer, Cleared (TS/SCI)
Why it's interesting
A rare cleared FDE seat that isn't at Palantir — you build on top of Foundry, AIP and Maven Smart System as the prime's integration muscle, inside classification constraints, not around them. The TS/SCI + US-citizenship gate is exactly why base opens at $220K–$280K: the clearance is scarcer than the React/Node stack. NEA/a16z/Accel-backed govtech ($35M raised) now claiming 55M residents across 50+ agencies and pushing hard into federal.
The role
Forward Deployed Software Engineer (Cleared, TS/SCI) at Kaizen Labs, a NYC govtech startup replacing legacy government systems with AI-native software. You architect and ship full-stack features end-to-end and integrate against the Palantir stack (Foundry ontologies and pipelines, AIP agents, Maven Smart System) to build AI-powered product surfaces — intelligent intake flows, real-time constituent assistants, automated case routing, agency operator dashboards — while engaging federal stakeholders directly. Hybrid out of NYC HQ or the DC office (Tue–Thu in-office). Requires an active Top Secret / TS/SCI clearance and US citizenship. Stack: React/Next.js, Node/TypeScript/Postgres, AWS. Base $220K–$280K plus equity. Verified live on Kaizen's Ashby board.
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