"Many big companies have cited AI as a reason for recent layoffs. But the new technology transforming the workforce may create some new jobs, too. AI startups are racing to hire a certain kind of software engineer who works with both customer teams and product engineering teams: Candidates are expected to have tech skills, but also, understand the business model so they can help customize customers' AI models for their companies' specific needs."
"Today, the company says FDEs make up about half of their workforce. Nic Prettejohn, head of AI in the U.K. at Palantir, said, per the Financial Times, described the job as "product discovery from the inside."The specific tasks an FDE is responsible for may vary from company to company, but the job certainly seems to encompass a lot.According to Planitir, "FDEs responsibilities look similar to those of a startup CTO: you'll work in small teams and own end-to-end execution of high-stakes projects.""
AI adoption has prompted layoffs at large companies while creating new roles that require both technical and business expertise. Startups are hiring forward-deployed engineers (FDEs) to bridge customer teams and product engineering, customizing AI models for specific company needs. FDE job postings have increased over 800% from early 2025 through September. The FDE role originated at Palantir, where FDEs comprise about half the workforce and are described as 'product discovery from the inside.' FDE responsibilities resemble startup CTO duties, including end-to-end execution of high-stakes projects and collaboration with sales and go-to-market teams. The 2025 World Economic Forum reports AI could displace around nine million jobs over five years, and some say AI can also create jobs.
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