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Software Engineer III - Forward Deployment Engineer (FDE) at Pearson

NEW
Location
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Job type
Full time
Posted 1 day ago
Description

About the job


Role: Software Engineer III - Forward Deployment Engineer (FDE) Location: Bengaluru/Chennai - Hybrid (3 days in Office per week)


About Pearson


Pearson is the world’s leading learning company, dedicated to helping people make progress in their lives through education. We deliver high-quality content, assessments, and digital services to learners, educators, and institutions globally. Our mission is to empower every learner to achieve their potential.


Role Summary


We are seeking a Forward Deployment Engineer (FDE) who combines strong software engineering expertise with a customer-centric mindset to solve complex business problems and deliver production-ready solutions.


The FDE works closely with business stakeholders, product teams, architects, and engineers to understand customer needs, validate ideas, build proof-of-concepts, and deliver scalable capabilities using modern engineering practices.


This role requires strong technical leadership, hands-on engineering expertise, and the ability to translate business requirements into secure, reliable, and maintainable solutions.


Success is measured by delivering customer value, accelerating solution delivery, and enabling successful adoption of the capabilities delivered.


Key Responsibilities


Customer-Centric Solution Delivery

  • Work directly with customers, business stakeholders, and product teams to understand requirements and desired outcomes.
  • Analyse customer journeys, business workflows, and user pain points.
  • Translate business needs into practical technical solutions.
  • Ensure customer value remains at the centre of the delivery lifecycle.
  • Gather feedback and continuously improve delivered solutions.

Solution Discovery & Proof of Concepts


  • Lead technical discovery sessions and solution design workshops.
  • Develop proof-of-concepts (POCs), prototypes, and minimum viable solutions to validate assumptions, demonstrate value, and reduce implementation risk.
  • Evaluate technology options and recommend suitable approaches.
  • Present technical recommendations and trade-offs to stakeholders.
  • Support solution shaping and implementation planning activities.

Software Engineering

  • Design, develop, test, and deploy production-grade software solutions.
  • Build APIs, integrations, microservices, automations, and cloud-native applications.
  • Participate in architecture and design discussions.
  • Apply software engineering best practices, coding standards, and testing approaches.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical problems.


Cloud Engineering


  • Design, build, and support solutions on AWS and/or Azure.
  • Apply Infrastructure as Code, Terraform, Kubernetes, cloud automation, and deployment pipelines.
  • Implement monitoring, logging, observability, and operational controls.
  • Design and contribute to scalable, resilient, secure, and cost-effective cloud solutions.
  • Follow cloud engineering and operational excellence practices.


Secure-by-Design Engineering

  • Apply secure-by-design principles throughout the software development lifecycle.
  • Implement secure coding practices and security controls.
  • Participate in threat modelling, vulnerability remediation, and security reviews.
  • Apply DevSecOps practices, including automated security validation and compliance checks.
  • Ensure solutions meet enterprise security and governance standards.


AI-Assisted Engineering


  • Leverage AI-assisted engineering tools to improve productivity and software quality.
  • Apply AI-supported approaches for coding, testing, debugging, documentation, and automation.
  • Contribute to agentic and automation initiatives where appropriate.
  • Follow responsible AI and data governance practices.


Technical Leadership & Collaboration

  • Provide technical leadership within project teams.
  • Mentor engineers and contribute to technical knowledge sharing.
  • Lead code reviews, design reviews, and engineering discussions.
  • Collaborate with architects, security teams, product teams, and cloud engineers.
  • Influence technical decisions through technical expertise, collaboration, and data-driven recommendations.


Required Qualifications


Customer Focus & Business Acumen


  • Strong customer-centric mindset with a focus on delivering measurable business value.
  • Experience engaging directly with customers, business stakeholders, and product teams to understand problems, validate assumptions, and shape technical solutions.
  • Ability to balance customer experience, business priorities, technical constraints, security requirements, and operational considerations.


Software Engineering


  • Strong software development experience using Python, Java, TypeScript, or similar technologies.
  • Experience building APIs, integrations, distributed systems, and cloud-native applications.
  • Understanding of microservices architecture and modern software engineering principles.
  • Experience delivering production-grade solutions.


Cloud Engineering

  • Experience with AWS and/or Azure.
  • Experience with Infrastructure as Code, Terraform, Kubernetes, cloud automation, and deployment pipelines.
  • Knowledge of observability, monitoring, logging, and operational excellence practices.
  • Understanding of cloud security, scalability, resilience, and cost optimisation.


Security

  • Experience applying secure software development practices.
  • Understanding of authentication, authorisation, data protection, encryption, and application security.
  • Familiarity with DevSecOps principles and security automation.


AI-Assisted Engineering


  • Experience using AI-assisted engineering tools within development workflows.
  • Understanding of automation, agentic engineering concepts, and modern AI-assisted delivery practices.
  • Knowledge of responsible AI practices and governance considerations.


Leadership & Communication


  • Demonstrated technical leadership within engineering teams.
  • Experience leading proof-of-concepts, pilots, or complex technical initiatives.
  • Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively across technical and business teams.
  • Passion for continuous learning and innovation.


Success Measures


Success in this role is demonstrated through:

  • Successful delivery of secure, scalable, production-ready solutions.
  • Effective execution of proof-of-concepts and technology validations.
  • Positive customer, stakeholder, and business outcomes.
  • High-quality engineering practices and code quality.
  • Adoption of cloud engineering, automation, security, and AI-assisted development practices.
  • Strong technical leadership and collaboration within teams.
  • Contribution to reusable engineering patterns and continuous improvement.


What This Role Is Not


  • Not a pure Enterprise Architect.
  • Not a traditional Software Engineer working only from a predefined backlog.
  • Not a Consultant providing recommendations without accountability.
  • Not a Project Manager.
  • Not an AI Tool Specialist.
  • Not an Individual Hero.




Who we are:


At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. We are the world's lifelong learning company. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. To learn more: We are Pearson.


Pearson is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other group protected by law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.


If you are an individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career site as a result of your disability, you may request reasonable accommodations by emailing TalentExperienceGlobalTeam@grp.pearson.com.


Job: Engineering


Job Family: TECHNOLOGY


Organization: OCTO


Schedule: FULL_TIME


Workplace Type: Hybrid

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Why Work at Pearson

Pearson is not just a place to work; it's a platform where you can make a real difference in the field of education. Working at Pearson provides you with an opportunity to join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to helping people make progress through learning. As a global leader in education publishing and education technology, Pearson supports over 100 million learners each year in 70 countries.

Joining Pearson means becoming part of a team that values inclusivity, diversity, and innovation. Pearson believes in fostering an environment where ideas are encouraged and employees can thrive. They are committed to providing resources and support for professional development, ensuring that all employees have the opportunity to reach their full potential. As a Software Engineer III - Forward Deployment Engineer (FDE) at Pearson, you'll be at the forefront of developing cutting-edge educational technologies that will impact learners worldwide.

What's It Like to Work at Pearson

Working at Pearson means being part of a dynamic and collaborative team that prioritizes innovation in education. As an employee, you will experience a culture that believes in teamwork and openness, encouraging everyone to voice their thoughts and contribute to meaningful projects.

Pearson is dedicated to creating a work-life balance for its employees, promoting flexible work schedules and remote work opportunities where applicable. The work environment is designed to be inclusive and supportive, with a focus on fostering a strong team spirit and providing a platform for continuous learning. Employees are empowered to take initiative and will find ample opportunities to grow their careers within the global network that Pearson offers.

Beyond technology, Pearson invests in the wellbeing of its employees by providing competitive benefits packages, including health and wellness programs, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. At Pearson, diversity and inclusion are not just values but are central to their mission of creating enriching educational products for everyone, everywhere.

What's It Like to Work as a Software Engineer III - Forward Deployment Engineer (FDE) at Pearson

As a Software Engineer III - Forward Deployment Engineer (FDE) at Pearson, you'll take on a vital role in integrating cutting-edge software solutions with business needs, both for Pearson and its clients. You will work closely with various teams to deploy and implement Pearson’s software solutions across various educational platforms.

This role demands a high level of technical proficiency combined with the ability to communicate effectively with non-technical stakeholders. You'll be responsible for ensuring that the deployed software meets the highest standards of quality and performance, tailoring solutions to meet the unique challenges faced by education technology deployments.

Expect to be regularly involved in troubleshooting, optimizing, and improving software applications, which requires a keen analytical mindset and a passion for problem-solving. Working in Pearson's engineering department, you will gain exposure to a wide range of technologies and contribute to projects that have a significant impact on global education.

Software Engineer III - Forward Deployment Engineer (FDE) Interview Questions at Pearson

  1. Technical Problem Solving: "Can you describe a complex software deployment issue you faced and how you resolved it?"
  2. Deployment Strategies: "Explain the steps you would take during a deployment to ensure minimal downtime and service disruption."
  3. Communication Skills: "How do you communicate complex technical information to stakeholders who may not have a technical background?"
  4. Collaboration: "Describe your experience working with cross-functional teams on a deployment project."
  5. Performance Optimization: "What methods do you use to ensure that deployed software runs efficiently at scale?"

Software Engineer III - Forward Deployment Engineer (FDE) Interview Preparation at Pearson

To prepare for an interview as a Software Engineer III - Forward Deployment Engineer (FDE) at Pearson, candidates should brush up on their technical knowledge, especially in the areas of software deployment and optimization. Emphasize your problem-solving skills and your ability to adapt to new technologies quickly.

Practice explaining your past technical projects in a clear and concise manner, focusing on your specific role and the outcome of the projects. Familiarize yourself with Pearson's products and their use cases, as well as current industry trends and challenges in educational technology.

Finally, understand Pearson’s mission and values, and be prepared to discuss how you align with them and how you can contribute to their vision of better educational outcomes globally.

Software Engineer III - Forward Deployment Engineer (FDE) Interview Tips at Pearson

  1. Understand Pearson’s Products: Familiarize yourself with Pearson’s educational products, their target audience, and their technological underpinnings. This knowledge will allow you to tailor your responses to demonstrated knowledge about the company's core businesses.

  2. Showcase Problem-Solving Abilities: Be ready to discuss past challenges you have faced in deployment scenarios and highlight how you overcame them. Problem-solving is a critical skill for the role.

  3. Emphasize Communication Skills: Being able to bridge the gap between technical teams and non-technical stakeholders is essential. Demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively across different audiences.

  4. Prepare for Behavioral Questions: Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences, your role in team settings, and the interpersonal skills you bring to the table.

  5. Be Ready to Discuss Technical Details: Delve into specifics of your technical expertise, especially related to deployment processes, software optimization, and any specific tools or technologies you have expertise in.

By approaching the interview with a clear understanding of Pearson’s mission and a focus on aligning your experience with the demands of the role, you position yourself as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer III - Forward Deployment Engineer (FDE) position at Pearson.