Writing on forward deployed engineering and applied AI careers
Guides, comparisons and field notes for engineers who build and deploy AI systems with customers.
AI Engineer Roadmap 2026: From Python Basics to Production Deployment
A practical AI engineer roadmap for 2026: the skills to learn, in order, from Python and APIs to RAG, agents, evaluation and shipping to real users.
mathshian•2 Nov 2026•5 min readForward Deployed Engineer vs ML Engineer vs Applied AI Engineer: Which Path Fits You?
Three AI engineering roles, three different jobs. Compare scope, skills, daily work and career direction to choose the one that fits.
mathshian•29 Oct 2026•4 min readThe FDE Iteration Cycle: Discovery, Prototype, Validate, Ship, Iterate
The five-stage loop forward deployed engineers use to take an AI idea from a customer's problem to a production system that delivers measurable value.
mathshian•23 Oct 2026•4 min readApplied AI Engineer: What the Role Is, What You Build and How to Get Hired
What an applied AI engineer actually does, the skills hiring teams test, and how the role compares with ML engineer and forward deployed engineer.
mathshian•31 Oct 2026•4 min readHow to Prepare for a Forward Deployed Engineer Interview at an AI Lab
A preparation plan for forward deployed engineer interviews at AI labs and AI-first companies: what rounds test, how to practise and what to build first.
mathshian•27 Oct 2026•4 min readAI Solutions Engineer: Role, Skills and How to Move Into It
What an AI solutions engineer does, the skills the role needs, and how it differs from sales engineering and forward deployed engineering.
mathshian•25 Oct 2026•3 min read