Forward deployed engineer career path

    FDE career path: CFDE vs the CAASA + CFDE bundle vs CFDE Pro

    Three ways to prove forward deployed engineering at ADaSci: the self-paced CFDE credential, the CAASA + CFDE bundle that adds agentic AI architecture as a second credential, or the live CFDE Pro cohort. Compare format, exam and price, then pick the one that fits how you learn.

    Compare the three See the CFDE credential
    1. CFDE credential badgeSelf-pacedCFDE$164.99or ₹15,999
    2. Self-paced, two credentialsCAASA + CFDE bundle$349or ₹29,999
    3. Live cohort, 4 weeksCFDE Pro$364.57or ₹34,999

    The CAASA + CFDE bundle gives you both credentials at one price. CFDE Pro is the live cohort track of CFDE.

    01 · The role

    What a forward deployed engineer does.

    An FDE works directly with one customer to turn an AI product into a system that runs inside their business. They learn how its data, tools and teams work, ship against real constraints, and feed what they learn back to the product team.

    The role blends software engineering, applied machine learning, solution architecture and consulting.

    1. 1
      Scope the problemWith the customer's stakeholders
    2. 2
      Connect to their dataInternal systems, permissions, quality
    3. 3
      Build agents and integrationsAgainst real constraints
    4. 4
      Harden itSecurity, compliance, observability
    5. 5
      Measure the resultDid it move a business number?
    6. 6
      Feed back to productWhat to build next

    02 · Side by side

    CFDE vs the CAASA + CFDE bundle vs CFDE Pro.

    CFDE credential badgeStart here

    CFDE

    Certified Forward Deployed Engineer (CFDE)

    $164.99

    List priceor ₹15,999

    Format
    Self-paced
    Content
    About 23 hours on demand, lifetime access
    Exam
    50 questions · 1 hour · proctored online
    Level
    Professional
    Also
    Upgrade to CFDE Pro later; what you paid is credited
    Members
    General $115.49 · Premium $82.50
    See CFDE

    CAASA + CFDE bundle

    CAASA + CFDE bundle

    $349

    Bundle price, $413.99 separatelyor ₹29,999

    Format
    Self-paced, two credentials
    Content
    About 53 hours: the CAASA and CFDE curricula
    Exam
    Two proctored exams: CAASA (60 questions) and CFDE (50 questions)
    Level
    Professional
    Also
    Two separate credentials and two sets of letters
    Members
    Member discounts and coupons do not apply on top
    See the bundle

    CFDE Pro

    Certified Forward Deployed Engineer (CFDE) Pro

    $364.57$625

    Founding cohort (100 seats)or ₹34,999 ₹60,000

    EMI available at checkout (Razorpay, Indian cards): about ₹2,917 a month over 12 months, before any bank interest or fees.

    Format
    Live cohort, 4 weeks
    Content
    CFDE content plus live masterclasses, weekly Q&A and TA support
    Exam
    The proctored CFDE exam (voucher included) plus a capstone review
    Level
    Professional
    Also
    4 reviewed projects, ending in an enterprise capstone
    Members
    Premium $312.50
    See CFDE Pro

    Prices before any promotion. Member prices need an active ADaSci membership. Refunds follow our terms of service.

    03 · Who each is for

    Pick by how you want to learn.

    Self-paced

    Choose CFDE if

    • You want the forward deployed engineer credential on your own schedule
    • You want the lowest-priced start on the FDE path
    CFDE details

    Self-paced, two credentials

    Choose the CAASA + CFDE bundle if

    • You also want agentic AI system architecture, not only FDE delivery
    • You want two credentials for less than buying both
    CAASA + CFDE bundle details

    Live cohort, 4 weeks

    Choose CFDE Pro if

    • You want weekly deadlines, live teaching and code review
    • You want a reviewed portfolio of shipped systems
    CFDE Pro details
    Bundle

    CAASA + CFDE, together.

    Earn both credentials at one price: Certified Agentic AI System Architect (CAASA) and Certified Forward Deployed Engineer (CFDE).

    $349$413.99Save $64.99
    or ₹29,999
    • Certified Agentic AI System Architect (CAASA): list price $249
    • Certified Forward Deployed Engineer (CFDE): list price $164.99

    Both credentials are added to your account after payment. Member discounts and coupons do not apply on top of the bundle price.

    04 · What the bundle covers

    Two curricula, two exams.

    About 53 hours self-paced across CAASA and CFDE, then one proctored exam per credential. CFDE on its own covers the forward deployed engineering column.

    Agentic AI architecture (CAASA)6 modules
    1. 01Foundations of agentic AI
    2. 02Designing agentic AI architectures
    3. 03Tools and frameworks for agentic AI
    4. 04Evaluating, monitoring and deploying agentic AI systems
    5. 05Building multi-agent systems using MCP, A2A protocols and ADK framework
    6. 06Security, governance and future developments in agentic AI systems
    Forward deployed engineering (CFDE)5 modules
    1. 01Foundations of forward deployed engineering
    2. 02Agentic AI paradigms and frameworks
    3. 03Cloud-native architecture and DevOps automation
    4. 04Security, observability and compliance
    5. 05Customer-centric engineering and solutions

    05 · FAQ

    Common questions.

    CFDE is the self-paced forward deployed engineer credential: about 23 hours of content and a 50-question exam (1 hour). The CAASA + CFDE bundle adds the Certified Agentic AI System Architect (CAASA) credential to CFDE at one price: two credentials and two exams, with CAASA's 30 hours of content and a 60-question exam (1 hour). CFDE Pro is a 4-week live cohort on the CFDE curriculum, with live masterclasses, weekly Q&A, reviewed projects and the proctored CFDE exam.

    Choose CFDE for the forward deployed engineer credential on your own schedule at the lowest price. Choose the CAASA + CFDE bundle if you also want agentic AI system architecture and two credentials for less than buying both. Choose CFDE Pro if you want live teaching, weekly deadlines and code review on shipped projects.

    CFDE: $164.99 (₹15,999). CAASA + CFDE bundle: $349 (₹29,999). CFDE Pro: $364.57 (₹34,999) for the founding cohort, or $312.50 (₹30,000) for Premium members. On CFDE, General members get 30% off and Premium members 50% off. Member discounts and coupons do not apply on top of the bundle price.

    Yes. What you paid for self-paced CFDE is credited against the CFDE Pro price at checkout.

    Both credentials: CAASA and CFDE together cost $349 (₹29,999), against $413.99 (₹39,998) bought separately. You get both courses, sit two exams and earn two sets of letters. Member discounts and coupons do not apply on top of the bundle price.

    There are no mandatory prerequisites. Python, LLMs, cloud platforms, APIs and basic software architecture are recommended.

    Yes. Every route ends in a proctored online multiple-choice exam; the bundle has two, one for each credential.

    Every credential has a unique ID. Employers enter it on the verification page and see the holder, credential and issue date. The check is free.