Hiring Forward Deployed Engineers - A Guide for Managers
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How to Hire FDEs
What to Look For
Must-haves:
- Production-quality code under pressure
- Clear communication to non-technical people
- Comfortable with ambiguity
- Self-directed
- Curious about client problems
Red flags:
- Only wants greenfield projects
- Cannot explain work without jargon
- Needs detailed specs before starting
- Uncomfortable with client interaction
Interview Design
- Practical coding screen
- System design with real client scenario
- Client simulation role-play
- Ambiguous problem decomposition
- References focused on client interaction
Compensation
- Pay 10-20% above equivalent SWE
- Include travel stipend
- Equity is important
Retention
FDE burnout is the biggest risk:
- Rotate clients every 6-12 months
- Give time for internal projects
- Create clear career progression
- Listen to product feedback
What has worked for your team? Share below.
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