How Palantir Scaled: Why the Best Software Is Built Backwards

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Palantir is known for building technology used in defense, energy, and other high-stakes operational environments where software has to work in the real world, not just on a roadmap. In this episode, a16z partner Erin Price-Wright sits down with Akshay Krishnaswamy, Chief Architect at Palantir, to explain the company’s Forward Deployed Engineer model. They discuss what forward-deployed engineering actually is, how it differs from services or solutions roles, and why it has become central to building software for complex, mission-critical problems. The conversation also explores the tradeoffs of the model, including how to avoid turning into a consultancy, how it shapes product development and hiring, and when this approach makes sense for founders building infrastructure and enterprise companies. Timestamps: 00:00 — Introduction 02:17 — Defining Forward Deployed Engineering 04:49 — Differences Between FDE and Other Roles 06:09 — Building and Managing Teams 09:55 — Challenges and Evolution of FDE 15:27 — Maintaining Product Focus and Customer Relationships Resources: Follow Akshay on X: https://twitter.com/hyperindexed Follow Erin on X: https://twitter.com/espricewright Stay Updated: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends! Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711 Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details, please see http://a16z.com/disclosures.