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Talks & Events

I speak about two things. The first is how Forward Deployed Engineering actually works: how to structure the org, how to train FDEs, and how the role is changing under AI. The second is what AI changes about doing scientific research.

If you'd like me to speak to your team or portfolio, get in touch via Platypus Technologies.

2026

  • Scaling Forward Deployed Engineering: Services to Productisation: Earlybird VC Gradient Descending Summit (November 2026). Moderated a panel with Notion and Wonderful, for a room of early-stage AI founders. Notion grew on self-serve and is now adding FDEs. Wonderful grew by putting engineers inside its customers, and now has to turn that work into product.
  • If LEGO Had Forward Deployed Engineers: Summit Partners AI Retreat (October 2026). A talk for portfolio CEOs on what FDE is, whether you need it and how to start.
  • Return to Phase Space with an AI Assistant: 17th Plasma Kinetics Working Meeting, Wolfgang Pauli Institute, Vienna (August 2026). A talk and working-week contribution on rebuilding a gyrokinetics code with AI, validating the result, and what becomes possible when AI handles more of the computational research loop. Reflection → · Programme →
  • The Changing Shape of the FDE Function: Northzone, London (June 2026). Co-hosting and moderating a panel on how the forward-deployed role is evolving, with founders taking deliberately different approaches to it. Event →
  • EBVC CTO Exchange: Earlybird VC, remote (June 2026). Guest expert at Earlybird's quarterly portfolio-CTO exchange: the solutions-engineer vs. FDE distinction, managing FDE/product friction, revenue-per-FDE, and what changes for services companies post-AI, followed by live Q&A.
  • Forward Deployed Engineering: Earlybird VC "Gradient Descending" roundtable, London (June 2026). A session on what makes a great FDE, whether you should charge for the role, and how it differs from solutions engineering. Recap →
  • Forward Deployed Engineers: Code & Commercial Impact: Dex Sessions, London (March 2026). Moderated a panel on the FDE role at The Ministry, Borough. It covered technical requirements, commercial impact and career trajectories. Recording → · Event →