The trend of forward-deployed engineers in tech

At the recent VMware conference, Ryan Sheehan, senior vice president of SHI, highlighted the use of forward-deployed engineers (FDEs) as a growing trend in the tech industry. This approach involves sending highly skilled consultants to client locations with the freedom to develop innovative solutions without being tied to a specific project. The idea is that these engineers can act quickly and generate significant value using new technologies.

Despite the novelty of the term, several companies have been employing this model for years. DoIT, a cloud monitoring provider, revealed that it has been utilizing forward-deployed engineers since 2011, although it only adopted the terminology in the last quarter of 2025. This suggests that the concept of FDE was already in practice before the term became popular, highlighting how companies often adopt new jargon to describe what they are already doing.

## Why it matters The emergence of the term 'forward-deployed engineer' may reflect a shift in how tech companies approach consulting and technology implementation. This approach allows for greater flexibility and speed in delivering solutions, which can be crucial in a rapidly changing business environment.

## What we know The FDE model enables engineers to work directly with clients, facilitating the creation of customized solutions tailored to specific business needs. This approach can lead to higher customer satisfaction and more effective outcomes in technology implementation.

## What remains unclear It has yet to be confirmed whether the popularity of the FDE term will lead to a significant transformation in the industry or if it will merely be a passing trend. Additionally, there are no detailed examples of how this approach has improved outcomes for clients.