The Metrics Brothers (fka SaaS Talk) The Forward-Deployed Engineer
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Oct 16, 2025 Explore the innovative role of Forward-Deployed Engineers, who tackle complex customer issues while embedded in companies. Discover how their military origins shape this position and set them apart from traditional consultants. Dive into the impact of classifying FDE expenses on key financial metrics like gross margin. With rising demand in AI-driven environments, these engineers are becoming crucial for building application logic tailored to customer needs. Tune in for valuable insights into the future of engineering in tech!
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FDE Defined As System-Level Engineer
- A Forward-Deployed Engineer (FDE) is a software engineer embedded with customers to solve complex, ambiguous problems.
- FDEs differ from traditional post-sales consultants by being true system-level engineers.
Palantir Origin Story
- Palantir originated the FDE idea and originally called them "Deltas" while working in government defense and intelligence.
- Dave wrote about Palantir's model 14 years ago and argued it represented a new kind of services firm.
Services-Led Growth Blurs Revenue Lines
- Palantir blended elite engineering with field deployment to capture reusable software assets and raise margins.
- This created a services-led-growth model that blurs product versus services revenue.
