“Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs) create the kind of lock-in that actually matters, not through contracts or switching costs, but through genuine value that’s woven into how a customer operates day-to-day.”
Shawn Thorne, Head of True’s Artificial Intelligence and Venture Capital Practices outlines why the Forward Deployed Engineer is having a resurgence in the AI era. In a featured article for Not Another CEO, he breaks down the specific qualities of a successful hire for this role. Shawn draws insights from his executive search experience on where to find these candidates, from former founders to internal engineering transfers, and how to build compensation packages that actually work for them.
Read the full article here.