AWS, Anthropic, OpenAI, Google expand forward-deployed engineer programs

Major technology companies are significantly expanding their forward-deployed engineer programs to assist customers with artificial intelligence integration. AWS, Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google have recently announced major expansions to these specialist teams, shifting focus from model development to practical deployment.

According to TechRadar, US tech giants are spending billions of dollars on these initiatives. The industry has moved past the phase where model capabilities were the primary constraint. Companies now struggle with legacy infrastructure and identifying viable use cases, prompting developers to take responsibility for deployment.

Investment and Job Market Growth

OpenAI has backed its forward-deployed engineer business with a $4 billion investment, while AWS is spending $1 billion on similar roles. Anthropic plans to train 10,000 specialist engineers by the end of 2027. These investments reflect a strategic shift in how AI is sold and supported in the enterprise sector.

Lightcast research highlights substantial growth in forward-deployed engineer job roles. In 2023, approximately 200 positions were advertised in the US, a number that remained similar in 2024. By 2025, advertised positions increased sixfold to around 1,200. In the first nine months of 2026, the report found 7,300 roles, marking another sixfold year-over-year increase.

The Role of Consultancies

Consulting firms are positioning themselves as key players in the AI implementation chain. Of the top four companies advertising these roles, three were consultancies: Deloitte, Accenture, and KPMG. Only one of the top advertisers was a direct tech firm, Google.

Anthropic’s announcement to support engineer roles within third-party consultancies aligns with this trend. Lightcast Head of Global Research Elena Magrini told CNBC that sharp wage growth implies companies are competing for a limited talent pool. This suggests that successful AI adoption may depend on human engineering support rather than just advanced models.

What should you do?

Organizations evaluating AI partnerships should assess the vendor’s deployment support capabilities. Security teams must review how forward-deployed engineers interact with internal legacy infrastructure. Monitoring job market trends can provide insight into vendor resource allocation and long-term support commitments.

What to do and how to stay safe: AWS

• Evaluate whether your AI vendor provides dedicated engineering support for integration with existing systems.
• Review access controls for external engineers who will interact with your internal infrastructure and data.
• Monitor vendor announcements regarding investment in deployment teams to gauge long-term support stability.
• Assess the security implications of involving third-party consultancies in your AI implementation process.

Step-by-step guide: Prompt Injection Warning Signs: How to Spot AI Manipulation

General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.

Frequently asked questions

Which companies are expanding their forward-deployed engineer programs?

AWS, Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google are all expanding their forward-deployed engineer programs to help customers with AI deployment.

How much has the demand for forward-deployed engineers grown?

Job postings for forward-deployed engineers in the US increased sixfold year-over-year in 2025 and again in the first nine months of 2026.

Are consultancies involved in AI deployment?

Yes, consultancies like Deloitte, Accenture, and KPMG are among the top advertisers for these roles, indicating their growing role in the AI supply chain.