Forward Deployed Software Engineer, Internship – Commercial

Forward Deployed Software Engineer, Internship – Commercial Overview

Palantir is looking for an intern to join its Forward Deployed Software Engineering team in a commercial setting in London. This role sits within a highly customer-facing part of the business, where engineers work directly alongside clients to solve difficult operational problems using software and AI. The internship is designed for someone who wants to work on meaningful, high-impact challenges rather than isolated technical exercises, and who is comfortable taking real responsibility early.

About the team and role

Forward Deployed Engineering is described as a deliberate commitment to delivering outcomes. Rather than building in isolation, engineers are placed close to the customer so they can understand the real-world environment, the constraints, and the consequences of the problem they are solving. The work can involve anything from healthcare and manufacturing to energy systems and global logistics, and the expectation is that the engineer will adapt to the customer’s reality rather than forcing the customer to fit the product.

In this internship, you would be part of that model from day one. You would not be assigned a low-stakes task or kept away from customers. Instead, you would be expected to learn quickly, contribute meaningfully, and take ownership of work that matters. The role is built around autonomy, accountability, and a strong standard of execution regardless of tenure.

What you would do

• Help solve critical operational problems by deploying software and AI into demanding environments used by major institutions.
• Work closely with other engineers on architecture and design decisions for customer solutions.
• Handle large and complex datasets, including situations where existing assumptions break down and new approaches are needed.
• Build tailored applications, LLM-based workflows, and production systems designed for a specific customer’s operating context.
• Own projects end to end, starting with the first customer discussion and continuing through delivery of the final solution.
• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders at multiple levels, from day-to-day users to executive decision-makers.
• Embed yourself in the customer environment so you can understand the operational reality, the constraints, and the impact of the solution.
• As an intern, take on substantial responsibility immediately and contribute to work that is important to the customer and the business.

What the company values

• A strong drive to solve the customer’s actual problem, not just to complete a technical assignment.
• Willingness to travel where needed, with an expectation of around 25% to 50% travel depending on the team and location.
• Independence and initiative, including the ability to make progress with incomplete information and without waiting for detailed direction.
• Comfort working in mixed technical and non-technical teams where priorities may shift and the solution may need to evolve through iteration.
• Intrinsic motivation to tackle hard technical challenges such as data structures, storage systems, cloud infrastructure, and front-end frameworks when those skills are needed to achieve the outcome.
• A goal-oriented mindset that pushes beyond existing product limits and is willing to reshape or replace them when necessary.

What you need

• You should be pursuing an engineering degree, with preferred backgrounds including Computer Science, Mathematics, Software Engineering, Physics, or Data Science.
• You need proficiency in at least one programming language, such as Python, Java, C++, TypeScript, JavaScript, or a similar language.
• You must be graduating in 2028.
• You should be able to operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-moving environments and collaborate well with both technical and non-technical colleagues.
• You need to be comfortable making decisions without complete information and taking initiative rather than waiting to be told what to do.
• You should be motivated by difficult technical work because it is necessary to achieve the result, not simply because it is assigned.
• You should be willing to work beyond the boundaries of the existing product when the customer’s problem requires it.
• You should be prepared for frequent travel as part of the role.
• You should be comfortable with an in-office working style, since the company emphasizes working together in person and notes that onsite roles require office-based work.

How to apply

Applicants are asked to submit an updated resume or CV in PDF format along with thoughtful answers to the application questions.

Additional hiring information

Palantir says that candidates who apply are committing to respond to a written offer within two weeks of receiving it. The company also states that it values excellence regardless of background and will provide reasonable accommodations for applicants or employees with disabilities during the application or hiring process. It further notes that no payment or financial information will ever be requested as part of the interview process.

Working style

The posting is for an on-site role in London, United Kingdom. Palantir says it generally prefers employees to work from its offices because it believes in-person collaboration leads to better outcomes. It also notes that some teams may offer hybrid arrangements with one or two work-from-home days per week, and that remote work is only available in exceptional cases for certain roles, with the requirement that the employee work from the city or country where they are employed.

Life at Palantir

The company says it aims to help employees achieve their best outcomes by recognizing individual strengths, skills, and interests rather than relying on traditional career ladders. It also says it invests in community wellbeing and health, and that the exact benefits and offerings may differ by region.

Degree Requirement: Bachelor’s

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