FDE vs. The Lookalikes
The title is spreading faster than the operating model behind it. This module gives you the one question that cuts through any job description — and then makes you prove you can use it.
Eight roles, one table
None of these are lesser jobs. They're different jobs. The problem is only that one title is being stapled onto all of them.
| Role | Where it sits | Owns production code? | Success measured by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward Deployed Engineer | Discovery → adoption → productisation | Yes | Adoption, operational impact, reuse |
| Solutions engineer | Pre-sale | No | Technical win rate |
| Solutions architect | Design and recommendation | Rarely | Architecture quality, deal support |
| Implementation engineer | Defined configuration or migration | Partly | Delivery against a defined scope |
| Professional-services consultant | Signed statement of work | Partly | Billable utilisation, margin |
| Customer-success engineer | Post-launch | No | Health, retention, renewal |
| Site-reliability engineer | Platform operations | Yes | Platform reliability (not customer outcome) |
| Sales engineer | Revenue acquisition | No | Bookings influenced |
Five questions to ask any posting
1 · How much code will I own?
Strong Production repositories, architecture decisions, code review.
Warning Mostly configuration, demonstrations or ticket escalation.
2 · How is success measured?
Strong Adoption, operational impact, reliability, reusable product change.
Warning Billable utilisation or number of implementations alone.
3 · Where does reusable work go?
Strong Core product, SDK, templates or a deployment platform.
Warning Copied customer repositories with no product pathway.
4 · Who owns the system after launch?
Strong Explicit transition, runbook and operating model.
Warning Permanent informal ownership by the original FDE.
5 · How much travel is expected?
Strong A quantified range and a stated engagement cadence.
Warning “As needed”, with no practical upper boundary.
Published travel, for calibration
These differences are material to whether the role is sustainable. Establish yours before accepting.
The Role Sorter
Ten responsibilities, four roles. Get all ten right to earn the Impostor Hunter badge.