The FDE Playbook for AI Startups
Forward Deployed Engineers bridge the gap between product capabilities and customer needs by embedding technical engineers directly at client sites. Unlike traditional consulting, FDEs build rapid prototypes that inform permanent product improvements while delivering measurable business outcomes. This Palantir-originated model has become the dominant strategy for AI startups, with over 100 Y Combinator companies now hiring FDEs to navigate heterogeneous markets where no incumbent solutions exist.
