Forward Deployed Engineers deploy, integrate, and operate complex systems (robotics, autonomy, UAS, RF) at customer sites, perform live software debugging and system operations, and provide hands-on field support for maritime, defense, and autonomy programs.
Forward Deployed Engineers (FDE)
Arsenal Pulse sourced from: Saronic Technologies, AnySignal, Physical Intelligence, Corridor AI, Shield AI — 93 profiles analyzed
3+ years of experience
Any location in the united states
Archetype
Title Variants
Prior Employers
Education Signal
Key Qualifier
Defense / Maritime FDE
Sr. FDE, Forward Deployed Engineer, Field Services Engineer
Palantir, US Navy, NAVSEA, Leidos, Booz Allen
CS, EE, Systems Eng, Naval Engineering
Shipboard ops or DoD field deployment experience
Robotics / Autonomy FDE
Forward Deployed Robotics Engineer, Field Engineer
Boston Dynamics, Palantir, SpaceX, iRobot
Robotics, Mechanical Eng, CS
Hands-on robot deployment and live software debugging
Palantir Alumni FDE
Forward Deployed Engineer, Full Stack Engineer
Palantir Technologies
CS, Math, Physics
Palantir FDE program graduate — highest signal profile
Software Generalist FDE
FDE, Forward Deployed SW Engineer, Solutions Engineer
Anduril, Scale AI, Verizon Federal, SAIC
CS, Software Eng, Information Systems
Customer-facing engineering and live system operations
UAS / Comms Field Engineer
Field Services Eng UAS, FDE, RF Field Engineer
Shield AI, Skydio, L3Harris, General Atomics
EE, Aerospace, CS
UAS operator cert or RF systems field experience
GEM CANDIDATES IN YOUR DATABASE
Gem candidates: Palantir Alumni FDE
Name
Title
Company
LinkedIn
Alex Barrera-Waters
Forward Deployed Software Engineer
Palantir Technologies
linkedin.com/in/alexbawa
Nathan Hunsberger
Forward Deployed Software Engineer
Palantir Technologies
linkedin.com/in/nathan-hunsberger
Avoy Datta
Forward Deployed AI Engineer
Palantir
linkedin.com/in/avoy-datta
Gem candidates: Software / Field FDE
Name
Title
Company
LinkedIn
Jason Chao
Forward Deployed Engineer
Tech
linkedin.com/in/jchao01
Tom Kimbrell
Forward Deployed Engineer
Stuut
linkedin.com/in/tom-kimbrell-773a6a90
LINKEDIN BOOLEAN (SALES NAVIGATOR / RECRUITER)
LinkedIn Boolean Search
title:"forward deployed engineer" AND (Palantir OR Anduril OR "Shield AI") NOT recruiter NOT intern
"forward deployed" AND (defense OR maritime OR robotics OR autonomy) AND engineer
title:"forward deployed engineer" AND (navy OR DoD OR "special operations") NOT intern
"FDE" AND (Palantir OR Anduril) AND ("field deployment" OR "customer site") NOT staffing
GOOGLE X-RAY (SITE:LINKEDIN.COM)
Google X-Ray Search
site:linkedin.com/in "forward deployed engineer" "Palantir" -intitle:"jobs"
site:linkedin.com/in "forward deployed engineer" ("defense" OR "maritime" OR "autonomous") "engineer"
site:linkedin.com/in "forward deployed robotics engineer" ("Boston Dynamics" OR "iRobot" OR "Physical Intelligence")
site:linkedin.com/in "field engineer" ("UAS" OR "unmanned" OR "autonomous systems") ("DoD" OR "Navy" OR "NAVSEA")
Palantir FDE alumni are the single highest-signal pool. Build a persistent Palantir alumni list and refresh quarterly. For maritime FDE, ex-Navy officers with CS/EE backgrounds are rare but perfect for Saronic-type clients.
Similar Jobs
Cloud • Security • Software • Cybersecurity • Automation
Conduct advanced application security research across GitLab’s DevSecOps and AI-powered platforms. Identify and exploit novel, systemic, and chained vulnerabilities; develop proof-of-concept exploits, testing methodologies, and research automation; assess AI attack vectors and open-source dependencies; drive remediation and security improvements; advise engineering teams, contribute to roadmaps, mentor researchers, and share findings with the security community.
Top Skills:
Duo Agent PlatformGitlabGitlab DuoGoPythonRubyRustTypescript
Cloud • Security • Software • Cybersecurity • Automation
Conducts advanced application security research across GitLab’s DevSecOps and AI-powered platforms. Responsibilities include discovering and exploiting systemic vulnerabilities, penetration testing, developing proof-of-concept exploits, researching AI and agentic security threats, building automated research tooling, coordinating remediation, mentoring security professionals, and communicating findings to engineering and security communities.
Top Skills:
Ai FrameworksDevsecopsDuo Agent PlatformGitlabGitlab Duo ChatGoPythonRubyRustTypescript
Automotive • Professional Services • Software • Consulting • Energy • Chemical • Renewable Energy
Design and coordinate electrical systems for commercial, industrial, laboratory, and technical facilities from concept through construction. Lead Revit/BIM-based design, coordinate external engineering firms and vendors, review documentation, support budgeting and commissioning, and maintain design intent. Provide expertise in power distribution, lighting, low-voltage systems, equipment integration, safety compliance, facility troubleshooting, and energy-efficient building systems.
Top Skills:
AutocadBimBluebeamBuilding Automation Systems (Bas)Electrical EquipmentFire Alarm SystemsHvac ControlsLighting SystemsLow-Voltage SystemsMs ProjectNecNfpaOshaPower Distribution SystemsRevit
What you need to know about the Los Angeles Tech Scene
Los Angeles is a global leader in entertainment, so it’s no surprise that many of the biggest players in streaming, digital media and game development call the city home. But the city boasts plenty of non-entertainment innovation as well, with tech companies spanning verticals like AI, fintech, e-commerce and biotech. With major universities like Caltech, UCLA, USC and the nearby UC Irvine, the city has a steady supply of top-flight tech and engineering talent — not counting the graduates flocking to Los Angeles from across the world to enjoy its beaches, culture and year-round temperate climate.
Key Facts About Los Angeles Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 375,800; 5.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Snap, Netflix, SpaceX, Disney, Google
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, adtech, media, software, game development
- Funding Landscape: $11.6 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Strong Ventures, Fifth Wall, Upfront Ventures, Mucker Capital, Kittyhawk Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: California Institute of Technology, UCLA, University of Southern California, UC Irvine, Pepperdine, California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Quantum Science and Engineering
