This role pays more than
68%
of similar roles. Most pay
$177,250–$223,430
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$209k
versus about
$200k
for comparable roles.
Based on 240 similar postings.
Employer
About Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is a global technology leader producing software, hardware, and cloud services including Windows, Office 365, Azure cloud platform, Xbox gaming, and Surface devices. Industry: Software & Cloud Computing
Microsoft currently has
644 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$119,800–$234,700
across 624 roles with salary data.
As a Principal Forward Deployed Engineer - Technical Program Management within the Frontier Company Engineering team, you will serve as an embedded engineer for strategic accounts. You will act as the primary technical leader, translating complex business needs into actionable technical approaches and building production-grade solutions directly in customer environments. Your daily work involves navigating ambiguity to deliver high-impact results, engaging senior stakeholders to align priorities, and providing clear technical direction to FDE crews. The role requires expertise in engineering, product development, data analysis, and managing cross-functional projects. Preferred skills include experience with AI/ML technologies, cloud architecture, data engineering, and using AI tools for software artifacts. You will solve complex problems by applying industry context to move beyond generic solutions while ensuring end-to-end ownership of the technical delivery lifecycle in fast-moving environments.
What does a Forward Deployed Engineer earn?
Median $201250 from 49 postings across 21 companies.
Translate customer business needs into clear, actionable technical approaches.
Build and deliver production-grade solutions directly within customer environments.
Deliver iterative, high-impact solutions quickly while navigating complex ambiguity.
Influence senior stakeholders to align priorities and guide technical decision-making.
Tailor technical solutions based on specific industry context rather than generic approaches.
Provide clear technical direction when transitioning work to Forward Deployed Engineering crews.
Navigate complex account dynamics with an entrepreneurial mindset to drive urgency.
What we're looking for
Bachelor's Degree and 6+ years of experience in engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development (or equivalent).
3+ years of experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects.
Bachelor's Degree and 12+ years of experience in engineering, product/technical program management, data analysis, or product development (preferred).
8+ years of experience managing cross-functional and/or cross-team projects (preferred).
1+ year of experience reading and/or writing code (preferred).
2+ years of experience in customer-facing technical roles such as consulting or solutions engineering (preferred).
Experience with AI/ML technologies, cloud architecture, data engineering, and using AI tools in software engineering (preferred).
Experience partnering directly with customers or internal stakeholders to deliver end-to-end solutions (preferred).
AWS
Azure
Kubernetes
Containers
Python
Go
Java
C++
Rust
Linux
CI/CD
Infrastructure-as-Code
Observability
Distributed Systems
High-Performance Computing
Data Processing