THE FDE GUIDE · FREE & OPEN
Everything about the Forward Deployed Engineer role.
A researched, no-fluff reference for the fastest-growing role in AI — what it is, what the job actually involves, what it pays, and how to get in. Free to read, updated as the role evolves.
01What is a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)?The role, its Palantir origins, and why every AI lab suddenly wants one.7 min read02What Does a Forward Deployed Engineer Actually Do?Day-to-day work, the deployment lifecycle, deliverables, and travel.8 min read03Forward Deployed Engineer Salary (2026): US & IndiaWhat FDEs are paid in 2026 — by level, by company, in the US and India.9 min read04FDE Skills: What's Tested and What Makes a Great OneThe skill stack, the great-vs-average difference, and how to break in.8 min read05The FDE Interview Process: What the Loop Actually Looks Like (2026)Why the loop is different, its stages, and how each top company runs it.9 min read06FDE vs Solutions Engineer, Sales Engineer & Applied AI EngineerPrecise differences from every role people confuse it with.7 min read07Which Companies Hire Forward Deployed Engineers (2026)The 2026 hiring landscape, from Palantir to OpenAI's deployment company.6 min read08What is a Forward Deployed Software Engineer (FDSE)?The engineering track inside the FDE family, and how it differs from everything adjacent.11 min read09The Palantir Decomposition Interview, ExplainedThe round that decides FDSE offers, with a worked example.9 min read
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Browse the question bank →Last updated 9 August 2026