India’s technology workforce could see new opportunities as businesses increasingly seek professionals who can translate artificial intelligence into real-world business solutions.
New Delhi, October 25, 2026: Demand for specialised engineering talent is expected to grow as Indian enterprises move beyond experimenting with artificial intelligence (AI) and begin deploying AI-powered solutions across business operations.
According to the India’s FDE Opportunity Report, prepared by technology education company Scaler and research firm CyberMedia Research (CMR), 88% of surveyed Indian enterprises expect demand for Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs) to increase by 2030. However, only 1% of the engineers surveyed currently work in explicitly designated FDE roles.
The findings highlight a potential gap between the skills businesses need and the talent currently available in the market.
What Are Forward Deployed Engineers?
Forward Deployed Engineers work at the intersection of software engineering, artificial intelligence and customer engagement. Their responsibilities extend beyond developing software to understanding business requirements, integrating technology with existing systems, deploying AI solutions and resolving problems in live business environments.
As companies seek measurable returns from their AI investments, professionals who can connect technical capabilities with practical business requirements are becoming increasingly relevant.
Demand Is Rising, but Skills Remain a Challenge
The Scaler–CMR report highlights production deployment as a major skill requirement for FDE roles. Around 77% of surveyed enterprises prioritise production deployment skills, while only 19% report adequate availability of talent in this area.
Customer engagement is another important requirement. Approximately 61% of enterprises consider it important for FDE roles, highlighting the need for engineers who can communicate with clients, understand business challenges and translate them into workable technical solutions.
The findings suggest that coding expertise alone may not be sufficient for professionals seeking to enter this emerging field. Practical AI implementation, system integration, troubleshooting and customer-facing problem-solving are also important capabilities.
A Potential Opportunity for India’s Technology Workforce
The report points to an opportunity for both technology companies and existing engineering professionals. Organisations may need to invest in upskilling programmes, while engineers could benefit from developing expertise in applied AI, deployment and enterprise technology integration.
The opportunity is not necessarily limited to new hiring. Professionals already working in software development, solutions engineering, consulting and AI-related roles may be able to build relevant capabilities through practical experience and targeted training.
However, projected demand should not be confused with guaranteed job creation. Actual hiring will depend on business investment, adoption of AI solutions and companies’ ability to convert their plans into operational requirements.
What It Means for Business Leaders
For technology and business leaders, the emerging FDE role reflects a broader shift in enterprise AI adoption: the focus is moving from developing AI capabilities to implementing them reliably and delivering measurable business outcomes.
Companies that combine technical expertise with business understanding and effective customer collaboration may be better positioned to turn AI initiatives into practical results.
For India’s technology workforce, the challenge will be to build the specialised skills needed to support this transition.
Source: Scaler and CyberMedia Research (CMR), India’s FDE Opportunity Report, as reported by The Indian Express and The Financial Express on October 23, 2026.
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