# Android Development Lead
**Company:** [Forterra](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/forterra)
**Location:** Arlington, VA, East Palo Alto, CA, Clarksburg, MD
**Salary:** $150K-$220K
**Experience:** 7+ years
**Skills:** Java, Kotlin, Android, Atak, Jni, C++, C, SQL, Android Jetpack, Material Ui, gRPC, Protobuf, Cmake, Conan, Linux
**Posted:** 2026-05-05
> Leads Android development of ATAK plugins for tactical C2 systems in autonomous ground vehicles, architecting APIs, integrating with C++/C components via JNI, and ensuring robust networking for field operations. Requires 7+ years experience with 2+ in ATAK, deep Java/Kotlin expertise.
## Job Description
## What you'll do
- Contribute to the design, implementation, and maintenance of Forterra’s tactical C2 capability through ATAK plugin development in Java/Kotlin for the Android platform.
- Architect and evolve the remote C2 system connecting Forterra platforms to ATAK and partner interfaces across commercial and DoD use cases. Drive API design and data modeling across systems to ensure reliability, flexibility, and performance.
- Collaborate with autonomy and networking engineers to enable robust communication under constrained and adversarial conditions.
- Guide development of intuitive user experiences that support situational awareness, health monitoring, and direct platform control.
- Contribute to and review code across multiple languages (**Java**, **Kotlin**, **C++**, **C**) as needed for integration and performance.
- Contribute to documentation, field validation, and integration efforts with third-party platforms and government systems.
- Support a culture of engineering excellence through mentorship, design reviews, and quality-first development practices.

## Minimum Qualifications
- Deep expertise in **Java** and Android-based plugin development.
- Experience with **SQL** databases.
- Experience with **Android Jetpack** and **Material UI** libraries.
- Familiarity with **C++** and/or **C** codebases, particularly in embedded or mobile contexts.
- Experience with **JNI** development and implementation.
- Strong understanding of **Linux** development environments, networking protocols, and distributed systems.
- Demonstrated ability to operate autonomously and lead efforts from design through deployment.

## Preferred Qualifications
- Hands-on experience integrating with **TAK Server**, tactical radios, or defense-grade networking systems.
- Familiarity with build systems (e.g., **CMake**), package managers (e.g., **Conan**), and Git workflows.
- Background in defense, robotics, or autonomous vehicle domains.
- Strong systems thinking, debugging skills, and the ability to operate effectively in field environments.
- Experience with **gRPC** and **protobuf**.
- **Bachelor Degree** in Computer Science (or similar field), or equivalent work experience.
- **7+ years** of software engineering experience, with **2+ years** specifically focused on ATAK plugin development.
- Experience with designing APIs and handling data transfer over low-bandwidth, high-latency networks.

## Compensation
**US Salary Range**: $150,000 - $220,000
Equity included. Competitive benefits: premium healthcare (80% covered), life/disability insurance, PTO (20 days), parental leave (7 weeks), tuition reimbursement ($9k), 401(k) with 4% match.
**Apply:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/android-development-lead-at-forterra-c97cb146-3fc4-41d5-a171-662c2e54d9c8
**Canonical:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/android-development-lead-at-forterra-c97cb146-3fc4-41d5-a171-662c2e54d9c8