After OpenAI and Anthropic, Google plans to hire hundreds of Forward Deployed Engineers for AI
Google has revealed that it plans to hire Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs), a relatively new role in the IT sector that was in part created by OpenAI and Anthropic. Here is what the role means, and why Google is looking to fill FDE positions.
If you have scrolled through news around AI lately, you might’ve come across a term called FDE or Forward Deployed Engineer. This relatively new role was created in part by OpenAI and Anthropic who recently ventured into AI service companies. And now, Google is planning to hire hundreds of engineers for this exact role.
On LinkedIn, Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian announced that the company was looking for candidates who could fill this role. He wrote, “We are investing in hiring additional Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs) to help us scale customer AI transformation.”
While Kurian did not mention how many vacancies Google may have for FDEs, as per a report from The Information, the tech giant may be planning to hire hundreds of engineers.
This comes at a time when the tech industry has faced hard times. Companies like Amazon and Meta have cut thousands of jobs, with Google too, laying off hundreds of workers since last year.
What is Forward Deployed Engineer?
Forward Deployed Engineers work directly with clients to understand their needs regarding AI systems. That is, they first understand what a client needs from AI tools, and then customise those tools for the specific use case. And FDEs also ensure that the client’s existing systems can adapt or run these AI tools.
This role has gained attention as OpenAI and Anthropic have started their own service companies that do exactly this – work with clients to implement AI tools in their systems. And now, Google is expanding its FDE workforce.
Why does Google want FDEs?
In the LinkedIn post, Thomas wrote that Google was forming a new AI Focused Organisation within Google Cloud’s existing Go-To-Market team.
This new AI-focused team will help customers start using its business-focused AI products. Thomas clarified that Google has previously hired FDEs too. He explained, “While having FDEs is not new for Google Cloud, the demand from customers and partners for Google entreprise AI products and Google engineers to help them embrace agent development is growing very rapidly.”
As per reports, Google is in talks with Blackstone, KKR and EQT to give their portfolio companies access to Google’s AI models. Last month, it announced a deal with Vista Equity Partners and a $750 million fund for consulting firms to speed up AI adoption among their customers.
Google Forward Deployed Engineer eligibility and salary
Google has listed various vacancies for FDEs on its website. In one such listing, the company requires candidates to have at least “6 years of experience in Python and relevant machine learning packages.” This is similar to requirements posted by OpenAI and Anthropic.
Though Google also wants candidates to at least have a “Bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or equivalent practical experience.”
The listing states that the company is willing to pay a base salary in the range of $153,000 (roughly Rs 1.46 crore) to $222,000 (roughly Rs 2.12 crore) for US positions. To give you some context, OpenAI puts the package between $198,000 (roughly Rs 1.89 crore) to $335,000 (roughly Rs 3.2 crore) in a similar US listing.
If you have scrolled through news around AI lately, you might’ve come across a term called FDE or Forward Deployed Engineer. This relatively new role was created in part by OpenAI and Anthropic who recently ventured into AI service companies. And now, Google is planning to hire hundreds of engineers for this exact role.
On LinkedIn, Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian announced that the company was looking for candidates who could fill this role. He wrote, “We are investing in hiring additional Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs) to help us scale customer AI transformation.”
While Kurian did not mention how many vacancies Google may have for FDEs, as per a report from The Information, the tech giant may be planning to hire hundreds of engineers.
This comes at a time when the tech industry has faced hard times. Companies like Amazon and Meta have cut thousands of jobs, with Google too, laying off hundreds of workers since last year.
What is Forward Deployed Engineer?
Forward Deployed Engineers work directly with clients to understand their needs regarding AI systems. That is, they first understand what a client needs from AI tools, and then customise those tools for the specific use case. And FDEs also ensure that the client’s existing systems can adapt or run these AI tools.
This role has gained attention as OpenAI and Anthropic have started their own service companies that do exactly this – work with clients to implement AI tools in their systems. And now, Google is expanding its FDE workforce.
Why does Google want FDEs?
In the LinkedIn post, Thomas wrote that Google was forming a new AI Focused Organisation within Google Cloud’s existing Go-To-Market team.
This new AI-focused team will help customers start using its business-focused AI products. Thomas clarified that Google has previously hired FDEs too. He explained, “While having FDEs is not new for Google Cloud, the demand from customers and partners for Google entreprise AI products and Google engineers to help them embrace agent development is growing very rapidly.”
As per reports, Google is in talks with Blackstone, KKR and EQT to give their portfolio companies access to Google’s AI models. Last month, it announced a deal with Vista Equity Partners and a $750 million fund for consulting firms to speed up AI adoption among their customers.
Google Forward Deployed Engineer eligibility and salary
Google has listed various vacancies for FDEs on its website. In one such listing, the company requires candidates to have at least “6 years of experience in Python and relevant machine learning packages.” This is similar to requirements posted by OpenAI and Anthropic.
Though Google also wants candidates to at least have a “Bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or equivalent practical experience.”
The listing states that the company is willing to pay a base salary in the range of $153,000 (roughly Rs 1.46 crore) to $222,000 (roughly Rs 2.12 crore) for US positions. To give you some context, OpenAI puts the package between $198,000 (roughly Rs 1.89 crore) to $335,000 (roughly Rs 3.2 crore) in a similar US listing.
