Hire a Forward Deployed Engineer
A forward deployed engineer (FDE) is a senior engineer who works inside your environment, on your systems, against your real constraints — not from a delivery centre behind a statement of work. AX3 deploys FDEs across AI, data, Salesforce, SAP, platform and cloud, and industrial engineering. Engagements typically start within two to three weeks and are structured around production outcomes rather than hours.
Talk to usWhat a forward deployed engineer actually does
The FDE model exists because most enterprise technology work fails in the last mile: the prototype that never reaches production, the platform nobody adopts, the integration that breaks under real data. A forward deployed engineer sits with the business owner and the engineering team, ships small increments into production continuously, and stays long enough to see the change stick.
FDEs are deliberately senior. They design, build, deploy and hand over — and they are expected to make judgement calls in the room rather than escalate them into a change request. Where a programme needs scale, AX3 pairs FDEs with delivery pods and specialist talent from the same practices.
Embedded delivery
Engineers work in your repos, environments, ceremonies and tooling, with your team, on your priorities.
Production-first
Work is measured by what runs in production and is used, not by documents or demo environments.
Cross-practice depth
AI, data, Salesforce, SAP, platform and cloud, and industrial engineering under one delivery model.
Knowledge transfer
Runbooks, tests, pipelines and pairing so your team owns the system after the engagement ends.
Four ways to engage — with pricing model and speed to start.
| Model | Best for | Pricing model | Speed to start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single FDE | Unblocking a stalled initiative or proving a new capability | Monthly engineer rate | 2–3 weeks to start |
| FDE + Pod | A programme that needs senior direction plus build capacity | Fixed monthly pod cost | 3–4 weeks to a running team |
| Outcome-scoped | A defined production outcome with a clear finish line | Milestone-based commercial model | Scoped in 1–2 weeks |
| Contract-to-Hire | Building the capability permanently in-house | Engagement rate, then an agreed conversion fee | 2–4 weeks |
Swipe the table sideways to see all columns.
Placed where AX3 already delivers.
Semiconductor & Hi-Tech
Yield, test and manufacturing systems engineered in production.
View skillsManufacturing
Smart factory, MES integration and shop-floor data products.
View skillsCPG & Retail
Supply chain, trade promotion and retail execution builds.
View skillsEnergy & Utilities
Field service, asset performance and grid data engineering.
View skillsHire a Forward Deployed Engineer — frequently asked questions
What is a forward deployed engineer?
A senior engineer embedded in your environment who designs and ships working software into your production systems, alongside your team, rather than delivering from an offshore centre behind a contract boundary.
How is an FDE different from a contractor or consultant?
A contractor fills a seat and a consultant advises. An FDE owns a production outcome: they choose the approach, build it in your stack, deploy it and hand it over with tests, runbooks and a team that can maintain it.
How long does a typical FDE engagement run?
Most run three to nine months. Short engagements unblock a specific initiative; longer ones establish a capability and transfer it to your team.
Can FDEs work with our existing delivery partners?
Yes. FDEs regularly work alongside incumbent SIs and internal teams, and are often brought in specifically to make an existing programme land in production.
Talk to AX3 about forward deployed engineering
Describe the initiative that is stuck between prototype and production. We will propose the smallest embedded team that can finish it.