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> Aided by as many as 120 “forward-deployed engineers” This term popping up again made me curious. To my surprise, that's not just some overloaded nickname (wh

> Aided by as many as 120 “forward-deployed engineers” This term popping up again made me curious. To my surprise, that's not just some overloaded nickname (what's cooler than styling yourself with a military or martial arts term, right?), that's what they are actually called: https://www.palantir.com/careers/teams/forward-deployed-software-engineers https://www.palantir.com/careers/teams/forward-deployed-soft...

OldFatCactus 9y ago
they fear the words "consultant" or "contractor" I think
- mcguire 9y ago
  Forward deployment had a much hipper, militaristic sound.
- ng12 9y ago
  Yup. And FDE is just a consultant, an FDSE is a software engineer attached to a specific client. A regular SE works only on generic products.
ataturk 9y ago
Because they wish to appeal to the spirit of adventure these people have. They're washed up mercenaries of the state who desperately want to feel relevant one more time. I wish people would stop helping the war machine. Stay the hell home for once.
jakelazaroff 9y ago
What's the difference between a normal software engineer and a "forward-deployed" software engineer, though? It sounds to me like that's just their military-flavored version of "rockstar developer" or "code ninja".
- beaconstudios 9y ago
  my understanding is forward deployed engineers set up shop in Palantir's clients' offices and implement the solution using Palantir's tech. Basically doing rollout and front-of-house tech support.
- dschep 9y ago
  "normal" software engineer - works at Palantir facilities "forward-deployed" software engineer - works at Palantir's client's facilities
- droidist2 9y ago
  Well... simply put, a forward deployed engineer is on the front lines of totally crushing it
- prepend 9y ago
  They are professional services. But instead of regular consulting, they are programmers and analysts, etc. They sound cool and, to me, signal that their work is more meaningful.

OldFatCactus 9y ago

they fear the words "consultant" or "contractor" I think

mcguire 9y ago
Forward deployment had a much hipper, militaristic sound.
ng12 9y ago
Yup. And FDE is just a consultant, an FDSE is a software engineer attached to a specific client. A regular SE works only on generic products.

ataturk 9y ago

Because they wish to appeal to the spirit of adventure these people have. They're washed up mercenaries of the state who desperately want to feel relevant one more time. I wish people would stop helping the war machine. Stay the hell home for once.

jakelazaroff 9y ago

What's the difference between a normal software engineer and a "forward-deployed" software engineer, though? It sounds to me like that's just their military-flavored version of "rockstar developer" or "code ninja".

beaconstudios 9y ago
my understanding is forward deployed engineers set up shop in Palantir's clients' offices and implement the solution using Palantir's tech. Basically doing rollout and front-of-house tech support.
dschep 9y ago
"normal" software engineer - works at Palantir facilities "forward-deployed" software engineer - works at Palantir's client's facilities
droidist2 9y ago
Well... simply put, a forward deployed engineer is on the front lines of totally crushing it
prepend 9y ago
They are professional services. But instead of regular consulting, they are programmers and analysts, etc. They sound cool and, to me, signal that their work is more meaningful.