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Remote forward deployed engineer work: what is really possible

Candidate guide

A forward deployed engineer (FDE) works close to the customer. That is in the name, so fully remote forward deployed engineer roles are rare. Hybrid work plus travel is the norm.

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Few FDE postings are fully remote

Most FDE roles mix office days with travel to customers. Remote roles exist, mostly at smaller companies.

Office and travel rules at the big FDE employers

EmployerOffice policyTravel
OpenAIHybrid, with set office days (San Francisco FDE posting)Listed in the posting
AnthropicIn an office part of the timeListed in the posting
PalantirHybrid or on site, depending on the postingListed, and varies by role

From the companies' own postings.

Why remote FDE work is hard

Discovery is faster in the room. Seeing how someone actually uses a spreadsheet, a terminal or a call centre screen beats any video interview. Trust also builds faster in person, and FDEs need trust to get data access and production credentials.

Some deployments cannot be done remotely at all: air-gapped systems, factory floors, government sites. Some FDE postings also need a security clearance.

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  • A best-fit shortlist, not a pile of CVs
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How to find remote forward deployed engineer work

  1. 01

    Look at startups and smaller vendors

    Remote FDE roles show up most at earlier-stage companies.

  2. 02

    Ask about travel in the first call

    The amount varies by team, and Palantir notes it is "flexible based on personal preferences" on some roles.

  3. 03

    Choose customers in your time zone

    Remote work is easier when the customer's team is online when you are.

  4. 04

    Consider fractional work

    Work on one system, part of the week, can be remote-first if the company agrees up front.

For engineers and leaders

Want remote-first work?

Apply and tell us your time zone and how much you can travel. We look at each application ourselves.

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Related FDE guides

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FAQ

Questions people ask

Are there fully remote forward deployed engineer jobs?

A few. Even remote roles usually include some travel to customers.

Do remote FDE roles pay less?

It depends on the company. The FDE salary guide has posted pay by company and level.

How much do FDEs travel?

It varies by company and role. OpenAI, Anthropic and Palantir all list travel in their FDE postings. Ask for the exact amount before you accept.

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