{
  "id": 16150704,
  "title": "88% of Indian enterprises expect demand for AI-focused engineers to rise by 2030: Report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/88-of-indian-enterprises-expect-demand-for-ai-focused-engineers-to",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-23T04:23:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/artificial-intelligence/forward-deployed-engineers-it-jobs-scaler-cmr-report-10933175/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An overwhelming majority of Indian enterprises anticipate a significant increase in demand for Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs) by 2030, with 88% expecting this trend, according to a new report by AI-native technology education company Scaler and research firm CyberMedia Research (CMR). The study surveyed 1,000 software engineers and 200 enterprise technology decision-makers across eight metro cities and select Tier II cities, shedding light on the widening gap between the demand for skilled professionals and their availability.\n\nAn FDE is a tech expert responsible for directly working with clients to tailor and install software solutions that align with the client's business objectives. They operate at the intersection of software engineering, AI, and customer engagement, requiring a strong understanding of business requirements to help companies implement AI solutions in real-world settings.\n\nThe report highlights that 77% of multinational companies plan to hire FDEs within the next year, while 98% of surveyed enterprises consider the role more than a niche position. However, there are notable gaps in awareness and skills among engineers aiming to enter this field. Nine out of ten surveyed engineers were unaware of structured pathways or specialized programs to prepare for FDE roles, despite 58% expressing interest in these positions. Furthermore, 52% of engineers admitted they were unfamiliar with how to become an FDE.\n\nA key challenge lies in the mismatch between the skills employers seek and those currently possessed by engineers. Production deployment skills are prioritized by 77% of companies, yet 19% of respondents found the talent availability in this area adequate. On the other hand, 61% of enterprises emphasized the importance of customer engagement for FDE roles, while 37% of engineers identified it as one of their most significant career hurdles. This shift reflects the evolving hiring priorities among companies, as they transition from merely experimenting with AI to deploying it in their operations.\n\nFDEs are increasingly being evaluated by employers based on their ability to apply AI products to coding skills. Engineers working in dedicated FDE roles earn an average annual salary of Rs 40 lakh to Rs 1 crore, with the potential to earn up to 30% more than other engineering positions. According to Amar Srivastava, CEO of Scaler's online business and group chief product officer, engineers who bridge AI technology with real-world business needs will play a crucial role as companies increasingly adopt AI. Prabhu Ram, vice-president of CMR's Industry Research Group, suggests that developing skills in applied AI, deployment, and customer-facing problem-solving will be essential for India's engineering workforce to prepare for these emerging roles.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Economic Times Tech",
        "title": "Bridging the AI production gap: Over 100,000 Indian engineers trained to build with Gemini",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/bridging-the-ai-production-gap-over-100-000-indian-engineers-trained",
        "published": "2026-10-22T15:31:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}