Forward Deployed Engineering Manager

Databricks; United States; Remote; USD 212,000 - 291,000; Full time

Job summary

Databricks is seeking a Manager, Forward Deployed Engineering to lead a high-performing FDE team delivering data migrations, AI/ML platforms, and enterprise analytics for strategic customers. You will partner with executives to drive transformation and ensure measurable business value across engagements.

You will mentor engineers, set delivery standards, and influence product direction while traveling up to 20% of the time to customer sites and Databricks offices.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of people leadership experience managing high-performing technical delivery teams or professional services.
• 5+ years as a technical solutions architect or data/AI engineer with coaching depth.
• Proven success leading large-scale data migrations and AI/ML programs in enterprise environments.
• Strong understanding of project delivery, including scope, timelines, statements of work (SOWs), and metrics.
• Excellent stakeholder management, including interactions with the C-suite.
• Familiarity with Databricks, Spark, MLflow, Delta Lake; hands-on with Databricks or competitors.
• Willingness to travel ~20% to customer sites and Databricks offices.

Responsibilities

• Lead and scale a team of Forward Deployed Engineers to deliver transformational data/AI projects.
• Partner with Account Executives and Field leaders to scope and deliver professional services programs.
• Establish best practices for project oversight, risk management, and quality.
• Synthesize field insights to guide Engineering and Product roadmaps and create reusable accelerators.
• Serve as escalation point for high-stakes customer situations to protect relationships and drive resolution.
• Mentor Forward Deployed Engineers through career pathways and technical coaching.

Skills

People leadership

Solution architecture

Data migrations

AI/ML programs

Stakeholder management

Databricks / Spark

Delivery governance

Travel readiness

Tools

Databricks

Spark

MLflow

Delta Lake

Job description

Databricks is seeking a Manager, Forward Deployed Engineering to lead a high-performing FDE team delivering data migrations, AI/ML platforms, and enterprise analytics for strategic customers. You will partner with executives to drive transformation and ensure measurable business value across engagements.

You will mentor engineers, set delivery standards, and influence product direction while traveling up to 20% of the time to customer sites and Databricks offices.