This article was originally published on Steven’s Substack. Subscribe to his newsletter for more insights.
In my last piece, I wrote about the software quality collapse and the risks of over-relying on AI. The response was overwhelming — and a lot of people asked: “Okay, but what happens to all those developers?”
Here’s my honest take: I’m actually optimistic.
Yes, AI is reshaping the job market. But I don’t think it’s a zero-sum game. What I’m seeing is something more nuanced — a restructuring that might actually put people in roles that better fit their real strengths.
AI Makes Mediocre People 10x More Mediocre
Let me be blunt: AI doesn’t make everyone better. It amplifies what’s already there.
A skilled engineer with strong fundamentals uses AI to move faster, iterate more, and ship higher quality work. A mediocre engineer uses AI to produce more mediocre code — faster. The gap widens, not narrows.
But here’s the part most people miss: what if that “mediocre engineer” was never meant to be an engineer in the first place?
I’ve seen developers who struggled with algorithms but had an incredible instinct for understanding customer problems. Others who couldn’t architect a system to save their lives — but could sell a vision to a room full of executives. The industry pushed them into engineering because that’s where the money was. AI might finally free them to pursue what they’re actually good at.
The Rise of the Forward Deployed Engineer
This brings me to a role I’ve been fascinated by: the Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE).
Palantir pioneered this concept. Instead of engineers sitting in an office writing code for abstract users, FDEs embed directly with customers. They’re part engineer, part consultant, part field CTO. They understand the problem deeply, then build solutions on the spot.
Think of it like a Field Engineer — the technical expert from the vendor who shows up at a client site to help with implementation. Except now, with AI, a single person can do what used to require a team.
Surge AI is hiring for this exact role — engineers who work hand-in-hand with AI research labs, building custom pipelines and shipping solutions with immediate impact. The Pragmatic Engineer reported an 800% spike in FDE job listings. This isn’t a trend. It’s a restructuring.
The One-Person Startup Is Now Possible
Here’s what excites me most: AI enables the one-person startup prototype.
Previously, if you had a business idea, you needed a technical co-founder, a designer, maybe a data person. Now? A single person with the right skills can prototype an entire product — frontend, backend, integrations, deployment — in a weekend.
This doesn’t mean we don’t need teams. We do. But the barrier to proving an idea has collapsed. The person who can talk to customers, understand problems, and ship a working prototype has never been more valuable.
That’s not a traditional “software engineer.” That’s something new — part builder, part operator, part entrepreneur. An FDE for your own ideas.
What This Means for the Job Market
I think we’re heading toward a bifurcation:
Deep specialists — engineers who truly understand systems, security, performance, architecture. These become more valuable, not less. AI can’t replace fundamentals.
Full-stack operators — people who use AI as a lever to do everything. They might not write the cleanest code, but they ship. They talk to customers. They solve problems end-to-end.
The “middle” — the engineer who writes okay code but doesn’t deeply understand systems and doesn’t interface with customers — that’s where the squeeze happens.
My Take & What You Should Consider
1. Be honest about your strengths
If you’ve been forcing yourself into pure engineering but your real talent is communication, sales, or product thinking — AI might be your exit ramp. Use it to build, but position yourself where you actually excel.
2. Consider the FDE path
Companies increasingly need people who can sit with customers and solve problems in real-time. If you’re technical enough to build and personable enough to consult, this might be your highest-leverage role.
3. Embrace the one-person prototype
Whether you’re exploring a startup idea or proving value at your company, the ability to rapidly build and ship is now accessible. Don’t wait for a team. Build it yourself, get feedback, iterate.
The job market is restructuring. But restructuring isn’t destruction — it’s reallocation.
My Prediction: Net Positive for Talent and Productivity
For the first time, people might get to work on something they’re truly great at AND have passion for — not just whatever pays the most. For decades, talented people squeezed themselves into engineering roles because that’s where the money was. Now they have permission to leave.
That’s not a job market collapse. That’s a correction.
The question is whether you’ll adapt to where value is moving, or hold on to where it used to be.
Want more thoughts on engineering, AI, and the future of work? Subscribe to Steven’s Substack for regular insights.