India’s artificial intelligence (AI) boom is creating demand for a new kind of engineering professional: someone who can not only build software or AI models, but also make them work in real business environments. Known as Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs), these professionals combine engineering, applied AI and customer-facing problem-solving to turn technology into practical business solutions.
The role is gaining attention as companies move beyond experimenting with AI towards deploying it in their operations. A Scaler-CyberMedia Research report, based on a September 2026 survey of more than 1,000 engineers and 200 enterprise hiring decision-makers, found that 88% of surveyed enterprises expect demand for Forward Deployed Engineering capabilities
to rise by 2030. Meanwhile, 77% of multinational companies surveyed plan to hire FDE or FDE-like talent within the next 12 months.
But the hiring opportunity comes with a challenge. Only 19% of enterprises report adequate market availability of production-deployment skills, while just 7% report availability of AI/GenAI skills. As companies seek engineers who can take AI from code to implementation, the gap between the talent they need and the skills available could become a major hurdle.
What Exactly Does A Forward Deployed Engineer Do?
A conventional software engineer typically focuses on building and maintaining software, while an AI engineer may concentrate on developing models and AI applications. An FDE works across these areas, often in close collaboration with customers.
The job involves understanding a business problem, customising software or AI solutions, connecting them with existing enterprise systems and ensuring they perform reliably in production. That could mean helping a company integrate an AI tool into its workflows, adapt an AI application to its business requirements or resolve technical problems that emerge during deployment.
“FDEs are engineers who bridge software development, AI engineering and business consulting. They work closely with customers to understand business problems, customise solutions, integrate them with enterprise systems and ensure successful deployment in production. Their demand is rising as companies move AI from experimentation to real-world implementation,” said Amar Srivastava, CEO – Online Business & Group CPO, Scaler.
Why Are Companies Looking For FDE Talent?
The report identifies several capabilities expected to grow in importance, including AI/GenAI customisation, enterprise system integration, production AI operations, cloud and data modernisation, and agentic workflows.
As organisations expand their use of AI, they need people who can connect new tools with existing systems and ensure they solve actual business problems. The report’s hiring findings reflect this demand. Among surveyed enterprises, 80% prioritise AI/GenAI capabilities, 77% emphasise production deployment, and 61% value customer engagement and business-domain knowledge when hiring FDE talent.
The opportunity extends across multinational companies, global capability centres and IT services firms, where engineers may be required to implement solutions for businesses operating across markets. However, hiring plans do not automatically translate into vacancies, and the pace of recruitment will depend on companies’ AI investment, business requirements and ability to find suitable candidates.
The Skills Gap Could Hold Back Hiring
The challenge is that technical expertise alone may not be enough. Only 19% of enterprises report market availability of production-deployment skills, while just 7% say AI/GenAI skills are adequately available. These findings point to a perceived shortage in two areas central to implementing AI at scale.
The transition can also be difficult for engineers accustomed to working primarily on code or models. Around 37% cite limited customer-facing experience as a barrier to moving into FDE-like roles. Engineers may need to understand a client’s business requirements, communicate technical trade-offs and take responsibility for whether a solution works outside a development environment.
The report also indicates that 58% of engineers are interested in transitioning to FDE or similar roles. Yet only 10% are aware of specialised FDE learning programmes, suggesting that many potential candidates may not know how to prepare for these jobs or demonstrate that they have the required capabilities.
Can Existing Engineers Make The Switch?
The transition need not mean starting a career from scratch. Software engineers can build on their programming and system-design experience by developing applied AI, integration and deployment skills. AI/ML professionals can strengthen their understanding of production environments and customer requirements, while solutions and customer engineers may already have experience translating business needs into technical implementations.
Employers are also looking at their existing workforce. The survey found that 47% of enterprises plan to upskill software engineers and 39% expect to upskill AI/ML engineers. This suggests the emerging opportunity may benefit current employees as well as people entering the job market.
Practical projects could be particularly important. Engineers need to demonstrate that they can integrate systems, deploy solutions reliably, solve problems under real-world constraints and explain technical decisions to customers. Structured learning and practitioner mentorship may help, but certifications alone may not establish readiness for the role.
“Solutions and customer engineers already have relevant experience, while software and AI/ML engineers can strengthen their deployment and customer engagement capabilities. Enterprises are also planning to upskill existing talent, with 47% expecting to upskill software engineers and 39% AI/ML engineers. Practical projects, structured learning and practitioner mentorship can help engineers demonstrate readiness for FDE responsibilities,” noted Srivastava.
Do FDE Jobs Really Pay Up To Rs 1 Crore?
Compensation is one reason these roles are attracting attention. The report says 80% of engineers in explicit FDE roles report annual incomes ranging from Rs 40 lakh to Rs 1 crore. It also indicates that FDE roles could offer a salary premium of up to 30%, reflecting the combination of AI expertise, production deployment and customer-facing problem-solving.
These figures should not be interpreted as a guaranteed salary range for every engineer entering the field. Actual compensation varies with experience, technical specialisation and the ability to deliver measurable business outcomes. The figures describe engineers already in explicit FDE roles, not necessarily freshers or all software professionals attempting to transition.
What engineers in India should know that AI jobs market may reward professionals who can bridge the gap between technology and business. As demand for FDE capabilities grows, the advantage may lie not simply in knowing how to build AI, but in knowing how to make it work.
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