Forward deployed engineer: what it is, pay and who's hiring
Updated Oct 19, 2026 · from live postings on company job boards
A forward deployed engineer (FDE) is a software engineer who works hands-on with customers to get the product running in their world. 425 FDE roles are open at 82 AI companies, with a median posted base of $216K; 97% of postings talk about customers or clients.
What FDEs get paid
Bars show p25–p75 of posted US base pay; the tick is the median.
Who's hiring FDEs
| Company | New this week | Open |
|---|---|---|
| Databricks | 7 | 126 |
| OpenAI | 0 | 30 |
| Rogo | 1 | 16 |
| Scale AI | 0 | 16 |
| Cohere | 1 | 13 |
| ElevenLabs | 2 | 12 |
| Cursor (Anysphere) | 1 | 11 |
| Cresta | 0 | 10 |
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FAQ
What is a forward deployed engineer?
A software engineer who works on-site or hands-on with customers to deploy, integrate and adapt a product. It blends engineering with customer-facing work; 97% of the FDE postings we track mention customers or clients.
How much do forward deployed engineers make?
The median posted base salary is $216K, with the middle half between $210K and $242K, across 203 postings that list pay.
What skills do FDEs need?
Python (63%), Agents (52%), Product strategy (46%), Evaluation / evals (44%), APIs (44%), LLMs (36%), plus clear communication with customers.
Where are FDE jobs located?
New York (115), San Francisco (92), London (51), Washington, DC (23), Austin (19). 238 roles mention remote work.