Internship Forward Deployed Software Engineer Jobs in Illinois

A World-Changing Company

Palantir builds the world's leading software for data-driven decisions and operations. By bringing the right data to the people who need it, our platforms empower our partners to develop lifesaving drugs, forecast supply chain disruptions, locate missing children, and more.

The Forward Deployed Engineer, Internship

Forward Deployed Engineering is a radical commitment to the outcome. This is Palantir's operating ethos. We pioneered this unique position, embedding engineers directly with our customers to tackle their most pressing challenges head-on. As an FDE, you'll be at the intersection of world-changing problems and impactful technology, shaping solutions where they matter most.

From hospital beds to factory floors, Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs) embed themselves in the customer's reality until the problem is theirs. This requires walking many miles in a customer's shoes, building past the perimeter of what the product currently offers, and deviating from every pre-existing formula to solve the problem. Whether that problem is How do we predict and mitigate wildfire risks across a power grid? or How can we analyze and adapt a global supply chain to deliver critical parts on time? You'll use your technical expertise, creativity, and problem-solving skills to drive real-world impact.

Core Responsibilities

To solve mission-critical problems by deploying software and AI into the high stakes operations of the world's leading institutions. This requires a ruthless commitment to truth-seeking and prioritizing real outcomes.

The work is difficult. The stakes are real. You will work in small, high-trust teams and own projects end-to-end, from the first conversation with a customer, to shipping the product that changes how they operate. You will embed with the customer, the chaos, and the consequences, and will be entrusted with real ownership to:

• Collaborate with engineers to make architecture and design decisions
• Wrestle with data at a scale that breaks assumptions and demands invention
• Build custom applications, LLM workflows, and production solutions engineered for a specific customer's reality
• Own relationships with stakeholders from the users in the weeds to the executives making the calls

As an Intern, you will be entrusted with responsibility on day 1. You will not be handed a ticket queue. You will not be shielded from the customer, the chaos, or the consequences. FDEs are entrusted with real ownership, operating with real autonomy, and held to a real standard, no matter their tenure.

What We Value The drive to solve your customer's problem. This can translate to:

• Going where you're needed most - Embed where and when it matters. Expect 25-50% travel, depending on team and location.
• Agency - You learn continuously, make decisions with incomplete information, and don't wait to be told what to do next.
• Embracing the ambiguity - You operate effectively in teams that mix technical and non-technical people, in environments where the objectives shift, the users push back, and the solution demands iteration.
• Intrinsic motivations - You solve hard technical problems (data structures, storage systems, cloud infrastructure, front-end frameworks) not because you were assigned to, but because that's what it takes to achieve your outcomes.
• Ruthless goal orientation - You do not operate within a product's existing boundaries and limitations. You push past them, rewrite them, or discard them entirely.

What We Require

• Engineering degree, preferred in fields such as Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Software Engineering, Physics, and Data Science.
• Proficiency with one or more programming languages, such as Python, Java, C++, TypeScript/JavaScript, or similar.
• Must be graduating in December 2027 or Spring 2028.

To apply, please submit the following:

• An updated resume / CV - please do so in PDF format.
• Thoughtful responses to our application questions.

Salary

The salary range for this position is estimated to be $10,000/month. Further note that total compensation for this position will be determined by each individual's relevant qualifications, work experience, skills, and other factors. This estimate excludes the value of any benefits offered; and the potential future value of any long-term incentives.

Life at Palantir

We want every Palantirian to achieve their best outcomes, that's why we celebrate individuals' strengths, skills, and interests, from your first interview to your longterm growth, rather than rely on traditional career ladders. Paying attention to the needs of our community enables us to optimize our opportunities to grow and helps ensure many pathways to success at Palantir. Promoting health and well-being across all areas of Palantirians' lives is just one of the ways we're investing in our community. Learn more at Life at Palantir and note that our offerings may vary by region.

In keeping consistent with Palantir's values and culture, we believe employees are better together and in-person work affords the opportunity for more creative outcomes. Therefore, we encourage employees to work from our offices to foster connectivity and innovation. Many teams do offer hybrid options (WFH a day or two a week), allowing our employees to strike the right trade-off for their personal productivity. Based on business need, there are a few roles that allow for Remote work on an exceptional basis. If you are applying for one of these roles, you must work from the state in which you are employed. If the posting is specified as Onsite, you are required to work from an office.

If you want to empower the world's most important institutions, you belong here. Palantir values excellence regardless of background. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer for all, including but not limited to Veterans and those with disabilities. Palantir is committed to making the application and hiring process accessible to everyone and will provide a reasonable accommodation for those living with a disability. If you need an accommodation for the application or hiring process , please reach out and let us know how we can help.

Please note that you will never be asked to submit a payment or share financial information to participate in our interview process. If you suspect that you've been contacted by a scammer, we recommend you cease all communication with the individual and consider reporting them to the relevant authorities, such as the US FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) .

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