Working close to the customer
A Forward Deployed Engineer, or FDE, works directly with a customer to understand a business problem and build a technical solution in the environment where it will be used. The work combines discovery, architecture, hands-on engineering and preparation for production.
In enterprise AI, a useful model is only part of the system. Data access, workflow design, integration, security and reliability all affect whether people can use it. The FDE helps the business and engineering teams make those decisions together.
What an FDE does
The scope depends on the engagement. At ADEL, the FDE typically works with the customer to:
- Define the workflow, the problem to solve and a measurable outcome.
- Identify users, systems, data, risks and the people authorised to make decisions.
- Compare architecture options and explain build-versus-buy trade-offs.
- Build and test an initial solution, then develop it towards production.
- Establish evaluation, security, monitoring and cost controls.
- Prepare documentation and coach the team that will operate the system.
The skills the role requires
FDEs need engineering depth and the judgement to work with incomplete information. They must be able to discuss implementation with developers and explain the same decision clearly to a business leader.
For AI engagements, this includes understanding model behaviour, retrieval, agents, evaluation and data access. It also means knowing when a simpler approach will serve the customer better. Seniority at ADEL comes with hands-on responsibility.
When to bring in an FDE
An FDE can help when the use case is valuable but poorly defined, delivery spans several teams, or a promising pilot has no clear route into production.
Agree on responsibilities and success measures at the start. By the end, the customer should have a tested system or a well-supported decision about what to do next, along with the documentation and knowledge needed to continue.
