Forward Deployed Engineer (Palantir Foundry & Custom Development)

Jacobs; Dallas (TX); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) plan

Stock purchase program

PPTO and holidays

Caregiver leave

Job summary

Jacobs seeks a Forward Deployed Engineer I to build with senior FDEs, architects, and implementation leads. You will work on Foundry-based and custom software features, with guidance as you learn across domains.

This role values strong fundamentals and curiosity, with open base pay by experience, and a hybrid US setup. You’ll contribute across multiple projects, collaborate with PMs and SMEs, and grow your skills in both Palantir Foundry and custom development, while maintaining a client-facing

Qualifications

• 0-5 years of relevant experience.
• Foundational Palantir Foundry experience or ability to ramp up quickly; AIP/OSDK exposure a plus.
• Software development with a modern JavaScript frontend framework (React) and/or Python.
• Comfort working across multiple projects with balanced priorities.
• Fast-paced, client-facing mindset in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Build and configure Foundry-based and custom software features from defined requirements.
• Translate directions into working code, pipelines, or integrations; ask questions when unclear.
• Support multiple projects and prioritize across codebases while maintaining quality.
• Seek guidance when facing ambiguity or unfamiliar territory.
• Follow standards set by senior FDEs and architects to fit into the DPS portfolio.
• Debug and support existing applications and new work.
• Grow skills across Palantir Foundry and custom development with senior guidance.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with PMs, other developers, and SMEs in client sessions.

Skills

JavaScript (React)

Python

Client-facing

Multi-project balancing

Education

College degree

Palantir Foundry certifications

Cloud platform certifications

Tools

Palantir Foundry

AIP/OSDK

Git

CI/CD

Job description

At Jacobs, we’re challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world’s most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

We’re looking for a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE I) to build alongside more experienced FDEs, Implementation Leads, and Architects, executing well‑defined requirements across Foundry and custom applications. You’ll work across multiple active projects, learning to move between domains quickly - with guidance close at hand when requirements are unclear or you’re in unfamiliar territory. This isn’t a role where you get one project and go deep for a year; you’ll be building real range early in your career, with support built into how the work is structured.

This role doesn’t carry people leadership responsibility. What it does require is a strong technical foundation, genuine curiosity across both Foundry and custom development, and the ability to stay productive and ask good questions in a fast‑paced, sometimes ambiguous environment.

Compensation This role is open to Entry level, Intermediate and Associate levels so final pay will be based on experience level

What You’ll Do

• Build, Forward Deployed — Work embedded with client and project teams to build and configure Foundry‑based and custom software features in response to defined requirements
• Execute Well‑Defined Work — Take clear direction from the Senior AI Solutions Architect or a Mid-Senior FDE and turn it into working code, Ontology objects, pipelines, or integrations - asking good questions when something’s unclear rather than guessing
• Support Multiple Projects — Carry a workload across more than one project, learning to prioritize and context‑switch between codebases and problem domains without dropping quality
• Ask for Direction — Recognize when you’re facing ambiguity or unfamiliar territory and proactively seek guidance rather than stalling or guessing
• Follow Portfolio Standards — Build to the patterns and standards set by more senior FDEs and the architect, so your work fits cleanly into the broader DPS portfolio
• Debug & Support — Troubleshoot issues in features you’ve built, respond to feedback, and support existing applications alongside new work
• Build Range — Grow your skills across both Palantir Foundry and custom development, with support from senior team members as you branch into less familiar areas
• Collaborate Cross‑Functionally - Work alongside project managers, other developers, and subject matter experts as an active contributor, present in client sessions and supporting the technical conversation.

Must‑haves

• 0-5 years of relevant experience - strong fundamentals and a genuine eagerness to build range across stacks
• Foundational experience with Palantir Foundry (Ontology, pipelines, applications) or demonstrated ability to ramp up quickly; AIP/OSDK exposure a plus
• Software development experience, including a modern JavaScript frontend framework (React preferred) and/or Python
• Comfort working across multiple projects - able to balance competing priorities with support from the team
• A fast-paced, client-facing mindset - comfortable with shifting requirements and being embedded with the people using what you build.

Strongly Preferred

• Exposure to REST APIs and relational or cloud-native data platforms (e.g., Databricks, Snowflake, PostgreSQL, Cosmos DB, MongoDB)
• Interest in AI/LLM-enabled features and using AI tools to accelerate your own development work
• Working knowledge of Agile delivery, Git, and CI/CD practices
• Prior internship, co-op, or early‑career experience in a professional services, consulting, or client‑facing environment
• Education/Certifications - A relevant college degree and/or willingness to pursue certifications (e.g., Palantir Foundry certifications, cloud platform certifications) - equivalent hands‑on experience valued just as highly.

Location

• Hybrid in the United States, with occasional travel for project and client meetings, primarily in North America.
• A list of offices can be found here https//www.jacobs.com/locations/americas/united-states

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well‑being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full‑time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $80,000.00 to $110,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.