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Entry-level forward deployed engineer roles, new grad and internships

Candidate guide

A forward deployed engineer (FDE) builds software inside a customer's team. Entry-level forward deployed engineer roles exist, but a few employers hire most of them. Here is where they are and how to be ready for one.

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

Reality check

Early career FDE postings are rare

Most FDE postings ask for experience. The AI labs mostly hire people who have worked as engineers for years, with customer-facing work on top.

Palantir is the big exception. Its job board lists Forward Deployed Software Engineer internship and new grad postings in the US, the UK, France, South Korea and Australia.

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
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Palantir early-career FDE roles

RoleWho it is for
FDSE New Grad, CommercialStudents close to graduating
FDSE Internship, CommercialStudents further from graduating
Year at Palantir, FDSE InternshipUndergraduates who want a year of work. It asks for hands-on experience applying AI.

From Palantir's Lever postings. Government roles may need a US security clearance or eligibility for one.

How to get ready for an entry-level forward deployed engineer role

  1. 01

    Get fluent in one language

    Palantir asks for skill in a language such as Python, Java, C++ or TypeScript. Python is a safe first choice for FDE work.

  2. 02

    Ship something real users rely on

    A tool for a club, a lab or a small business, supported for a semester. This is your best interview story.

  3. 03

    Apply AI hands-on

    Build one LLM feature with a test set. Year at Palantir asks for hands-on AI experience from coursework, projects or internships.

  4. 04

    Practise decomposition

    Open-ended case rounds are where many candidates fail. Practise them out loud.

  5. 05

    Apply early

    New grad and intern roles list graduation windows. Apply for the cycle that matches your date.

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Related FDE guides

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

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FAQ

Questions people ask

Can a new grad become a forward deployed engineer?

Yes, mainly at Palantir, which hires FDSE new grads and interns, and at some startups. Most AI lab FDE roles ask for years of experience.

Do FDE interns work with customers?

At Palantir, yes. Its internship posting says interns get real responsibility from the start and are not shielded from the customer.

Do I need a computer science degree?

Palantir's new grad and intern postings ask for an engineering degree, preferably in fields like computer science, maths, physics or data science.

Is there travel as an entry-level FDE?

Yes. Palantir's new grad posting says to expect travel, depending on team and location.

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