Databricks Solution Architect(s)

Manuka ANZ | The Databricks People; Council of the City of Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-friendly with hybrid options

Competitive compensation & incentives

Growth & learning opportunities

Databricks-focused specialization

Job summary

Manuka AI is seeking an experienced Databricks Solution Architect to design and deliver high-performance data and AI platforms on Databricks across AWS or Azure. This hands-on, client-facing role blends deep technical work with advisory leadership and delivery ownership.

You will architect lakehouses, guide migrations, and optimize integrations while mentoring engineers and collaborating with Databricks teams to accelerate customer value.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in data engineering, solution architecture, or cloud platforms.
• Hands-on Databricks experience with Spark, Delta Lake, MLflow.
• Proficiency in Python, SQL, or Scala; strong ELT/ETL knowledge.
• Experience designing data platforms on AWS or Azure.
• Understanding of cloud security, identity, networking, governance concepts.
• Background in technical consulting or professional services.
• Confident communicator with technical and senior stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving with practical, outcome-driven approach.

Responsibilities

• Architect data & AI lakehouses and reference architectures.
• Lead migrations, platform modernisation, and Databricks adoption.
• Integrate Databricks with ingestion tools, BI, ML pipelines, and governance.
• Advise on performance, cost, security, and governance; ensure reliability.
• Run workshops and mentor engineers to uplift data maturity.
• Collaborate with Manuka AI and Databricks teams; contribute to IP and playbooks.

Skills

Databricks

Apache Spark

Delta Lake

MLflow

Python

SQL

Scala

ELT/ETL

AWS/Azure

Cloud security

Governance

Consulting

Stakeholder communication

Problem solving

Tools

Databricks platform

MLflow

Apache Spark

Delta Lake

Job description

Manuka AI is a modern, Databricks-only consulting firm on a mission to reinvent how organisations build, scale, and monetise data and AI. We work with ambitious enterprises across Australia and New Zealand to design modern data platforms that actually deliver value — not shelfware.

We’re looking for experienced Databricks Solution Architects to join our growing team. In this role, you’ll partner closely with customers to architect, design, and deliver high-performance data and AI platforms on Databricks running on AWS or Azure.

This is a hands-on, customer-facing role that blends deep technical expertise, strategic advisory, and real delivery ownership. You’ll help shape architectures, guide teams, and ensure customers get maximum return from their Databricks investment.

What You’ll Do

• Architect the future of data & AI - Design modern lakehouse, real-time analytics, and AI-ready data platforms using Databricks. Define reference architectures and best practices that scale securely and cost-effectively
• Lead transformational engagements - Guide customers through migrations, platform modernisation, and Databricks adoption. Act as a trusted technical advisor across architecture, delivery, and roadmap decisions
• Enable seamless integration - Optimise integrations between Databricks and upstream/downstream systems including ingestion tools, BI platforms, ML pipelines, and governance frameworks
• Be the Databricks authority - Advise on performance tuning, cost optimisation, security, and governance. Help customers design for reliability, observability, and long-term maintainability
• Elevate teams - Run workshops, architecture sessions, and hands-on enablement. Mentor engineers and help uplift data engineering and analytics maturity
• Collaborate deeply - Work alongside Manuka AI architects, engineers, and Databricks field teams. Contribute to internal accelerators, reusable IP, and delivery playbooks

What We’re Looking For

Core experience

• 5+ years experience in data engineering, solution architecture, or cloud platforms
• Strong hands-on experience with Databricks, including Apache Spark™, Delta Lake, and MLflow
• Proficiency in Python, SQL, or Scala, with a solid grasp of ELT/ETL patterns
• Experience designing data platforms on AWS or Azure
• Understanding of cloud security, identity, networking, and data governance concepts
• Background in technical consulting, solution architecture, or professional services
• Confident communicator who can engage with both technical teams and senior stakeholders
• Strong problem-solving skills and a bias toward practical, outcome-driven solutions

Mindset

• Curious, adaptable, and excited by AI-driven delivery
• Passionate about simplifying complex data problems and building things that last

Nice to Have

• Databricks certifications (Data Engineer, ML, or Solutions Architect)
• Knowledge of AI/ML pipelines, MLOps, or feature engineering

Why Join Manuka AI?

• AI-native from day one - we design, sell, and deliver with AI embedded in how we work
• Databricks-only focus - deep specialisation, not diluted generalism
• High-impact work – real transformations, not endless slideware
• Strong ecosystem ties – embedded in the Databricks ANZ community
• Flexible work culture – remote-friendly with hybrid options
• Competitive compensation – market-leading salary plus performance incentives
• Growth & learning – certifications, partner access, and leadership pathways
• We’re a startup - That means no internal politics, no empire-building, and no hiding behind process. We value people who take initiative, challenge ideas respectfully, and focus on shipping real outcomes for customers.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Manuka AI is committed to building a diverse, inclusive workplace where different backgrounds, perspectives, and paths into tech are welcomed and valued. We believe better teams build better data platforms.

Ready to Build What’s Next?

If you’re excited about modern data platforms, AI-driven delivery, and pushing the boundaries of what Databricks can do, we’d love to talk.