About this role
Role Overview
The Mission Engineer position at Axon in Chicago, Illinois is an embedded ownership role tailored for hands-on builders who want to drive operational transformation within strategic accounts. This role suits adaptive, technical professionals who excel in ambiguous environments and want to work directly with clients to ship real-world production software.
Key Responsibilities
As a Mission Engineer, the day-to-day priorities remain flexible and shift according to mission tempo and operational needs. Professionals in this role discover agency problems onsite and translate them into compliant, buildable solutions tied directly to measurable mission outcomes. Responsibilities include designing and shipping working tools utilizing the Axon platform, such as AI agents, automated workflows, integrations, and data pipelines built alongside real users.
Additional duties involve configuring and extending systems like DEMS, Fusus, AI Era, and Records within the agency environment while applying strict innovation guardrails regarding privacy, evidence integrity, and CJIS compliance. Team members troubleshoot technical obstacles onsite, coordinate root-cause resolution with Engineering and Support departments, and drive hands-on AI adoption including prompts, RAG, and evaluations. Furthermore, candidates assess workflows to transition from reactive support to proactive outcome design, lead strategic reviews, and gather field intelligence to influence future product roadmaps.
Requirements
Candidates must possess approximately 8 or more years of experience in customer-facing technical roles, complex deployment environments, operational transformation, or program management. A proven track record as a builder who has successfully shipped working automations, integrations, or AI-enabled tools is essential. Applicants need strong comfort navigating both operational and technical domains, including hardware, software, cloud infrastructure, and integrated systems. Excellent communication skills are required when collaborating with technical teams and senior stakeholders, alongside a full ownership mentality in fast-changing environments. Candidates must also have the ability to obtain and maintain CJIS compliance and security standards.
Nice to Have
Former military or law enforcement experience is preferred, though not mandatory. Experience working within public safety, corrections, or other mission-critical operational environments is also viewed favorably. Familiarity with digital workflows, records management, or integrated public safety ecosystems provides an added advantage.
Skills and Tools
This position requires expertise in utilizing modern platforms, integration logic, and configuration tools. Essential technical competencies involve working with AI-enabled technologies, prompt engineering, RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation), evaluations, data pipelines, cloud software, and specialized ecosystems like DEMS, Fusus, AI Era, and Records.
Salary and Benefits
Axon operates as a total compensation company combining base pay, performance bonuses, and stock awards. The base pay range for this position spans from $127,500 to $204,000 USD, with actual compensation dependent upon geographic market, business needs, transferable skills, training, functional level, and individual work experience. Comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, discretionary paid time off, paid parental leave for all employees, fitness programs, emotional and mental wellness support, learning and development programs, and office snacks.
About the Company
Axon is on a mission to Protect Life, pursuing society's most critical safety and justice issues through an interconnected ecosystem of devices and cloud software. The company values candor, care, and diverse perspectives, offering a fast-paced, challenging, and meaningful workplace where employees can take ownership and drive genuine change.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please visit the official Axon careers page to submit your application.
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the location and onsite requirement for the Mission Engineer?
The position is based in Chicago, Illinois, and requires maintaining a consistent onsite presence approximately 3 to 4 days per week.
What is the salary range for this role?
The base pay range is between $127,500 and $204,000 USD, supplemented by total compensation elements including bonuses and stock awards.
How many years of experience are required?
The role typically requires 8 or more years of experience in customer-facing technical roles, complex deployment environments, operational transformation, or program management.
Is remote work permitted for this position?
No, this is an embedded onsite role requiring regular presence with strategic agency accounts in Chicago.
Are former military or law enforcement backgrounds mandatory?
No, former military or law enforcement experience is preferred but not required for this role.