Forward deployed engineering
Our engineers can work as part of your team — on your product, your systems and your data — and help ship what you are building.
What it is
What it means
Forward deployed engineering means engineers work closely with the customer's team, product and systems, rather than building at arm's length. It is often shortened to FDE.
With AlwaysOnApps, an experienced engineer joins your team to help with mobile apps, backend and API integration or AI features, using AI-assisted workflows.
Compared with
How it differs
An agency
Usually delivers a defined project against a brief. Here, the engineer works inside your team while the product is still changing.
Staff augmentation
Usually adds capacity to a backlog. We also bring product and engineering judgment, not only capacity.
Consulting
Usually centres on recommendations. Here the work is hands-on: building and releasing.
Scope
What we can help with
- Building features in an existing iOS, Android or cross-platform app
- Adding AI features and agent workflows to a product
- Connecting your app to your systems, data and third-party APIs
- Getting a prototype, internal tool or AI pilot ready for release
- Improving stability, performance and release readiness
How it works
Working with your team
Get to know your setup
We learn your product, systems and constraints, and agree what matters first.
Build and release in small steps
We ship in small increments, using AI-assisted workflows, so feedback comes from real use.
Adapt to your team
We follow your priorities and working rhythm as they change.
Hand over
What we build is documented, so your team can maintain and extend it.
FAQ
Common questions
What is forward deployed engineering?
Forward deployed engineering is a way of working where engineers work close to the customer — inside their team, product and systems — instead of delivering from a distance. It is often shortened to FDE and is common in AI and enterprise software.
What does a forward deployed engineer do?
A forward deployed engineer works with your team on your product, systems and data: understanding the problem, building the solution and helping get it released. In our case that means mobile apps, backend and API integration, and AI features.
How is it different from hiring an agency or contractors?
An agency typically delivers a defined project, and contractors typically take tasks from a backlog. With forward deployed engineering, the engineer works as part of your team and shares your context.
What kind of work can embedded engineers take on?
Work within our service areas that benefits from being done close to your product: features in existing mobile apps, AI features and agents, backend and API integration, and getting prototypes ready for release.
How do we get started?
Tell us what you are trying to ship through the project form. No technical brief is needed — we review your request and come back with next steps.