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Guides to hiring forward deployed engineers

Step-by-step guides for companies deciding how to bring in forward deployed engineers: scoping, pricing models, access and security, owning the code and handoff, built from companies' own documentation and public standards.

By the FWD Deployment team · Updated October 11, 2026

Engineers and staff at a mid-size company working together at desks and a whiteboard

Hiring

What Is an Applied AI Engineer?

A plain look at the role using OpenAI's job postings, how it overlaps with forward deployed engineering, and which one fits your project.

Read the guide