Fractionals Send your requirement
A small team around a meeting table, one standing to talk while the others listen

What a Palantir forward deployed engineer does

Company profile

A Palantir forward deployed engineer (FDE) works inside a customer and builds software on Palantir's platforms for them. Palantir calls the job Forward Deployed Software Engineer, or "Delta" inside the company. It is the job most people mean when they say FDE.

Send your requirement
  • No deposit to get started
  • Every requirement read by us
  • A best-fit shortlist, not a pile of CVs
  • One agreement, one invoice

The original FDE

One customer, many capabilities

Palantir's own job posting calls the role "The Original Forward Deployed Software Engineer". It says Palantir pioneered the job by placing engineers directly with customers.

Palantir's engineering blog describes "Devs" and "Deltas". Devs work in Product Development and build the Foundry and Gotham platforms. Deltas work in Business Development. They are the forward deployed engineers who deploy those platforms for customers.

The blog sums it up as "one capability, many customers" for a Dev and "one customer, many capabilities" for a Delta.

Tell us the role and the hours. We send you a shortlist of people who fit.

  • No deposit to get started
  • Every requirement read by us
  • A best-fit shortlist, not a pile of CVs
  • One agreement, one invoice
Send your requirement

Palantir forward deployed engineer or Deployment Strategist

Forward Deployed Software Engineer

  • Writes the code and owns the technical build
  • Builds custom applications on large-scale data and AI
  • Travel is "flexible based on personal preferences"

Deployment Strategist

  • Goes on site with customer analysts to find the biggest problems
  • Finds the right datasets and works with FDEs to build the pipeline
  • Runs training and presents results to senior leaders
  • Asks for some Python, R or SQL, not a software career

Where the work is

Palantir's job board names forward deployed roles by customer type. The title endings include US Government, UK Government, NATO, Intel, Federal Health and Civilian, Tactical Edge, Autonomous Systems and Commercial.

Government roles often need a security clearance. The US Government posting in Washington, DC asks for Top Secret clearance, or willingness to get one.

The main posting gives example projects. They include reducing wildfire risk to power grids and adapting a global food supply chain to deliver aid.

Tell us the role and the hours. We send you a shortlist of people who fit.

  • No deposit to get started
  • Every requirement read by us
  • A best-fit shortlist, not a pile of CVs
  • One agreement, one invoice
Send your requirement

The interview, as third parties describe it

Palantir does not publish its interview process. These stages come from Aced, a third-party interview prep site, not from Palantir.

  1. 01

    Recruiter call

    A short call about your background and why you want the job.

  2. 02

    Technical screen

    Live coding on CodePair or Karat, or an online HackerRank test.

  3. 03

    Onsite rounds

    Rounds drawn from a pool. The pool includes decomposition, learning, coding, re-engineering and system design.

  4. 04

    Hiring manager

    A final round that often tests a weaker area again.

For engineers and leaders

Forward deployed work outside the big platforms

Apply once with your CV. Talent never pays. When a company sends us a requirement, we look through the people who have applied to us for those who fit.

Apply now

Compare the Palantir role with

Get started

Tell us what you need.

Send your requirement. We send you a shortlist of senior leaders who fit. One agreement and one invoice, with the terms agreed in writing before anything starts.

  • No deposit to get started
  • Every requirement read by us
  • A best-fit shortlist, not a pile of CVs
  • One agreement, one invoice
Which side are you on?

Send your requirement

  • No deposit to get started
  • Every requirement read by us
  • A best-fit shortlist, not a pile of CVs
  • One agreement, one invoice

Apply to join

Talent never pays to apply, be shortlisted or be placed.

Availability, days per week

FAQ

Questions people ask

Can new graduates become Palantir FDEs?

Yes. Palantir posts new graduate and internship versions of the Forward Deployed Software Engineer role. That is rare. Most companies on our list ask for several years of experience.

What is the decomposition interview?

Third-party guides describe it as a broad, real-world problem. You break it into parts out loud, with little or no code. It tests how you scope work, which is a large part of the job.

Does Fractionals work with Palantir?

No. Palantir is not a client of ours. We describe its public job postings. To apply for a role there, go to Palantir directly.

Explore more