Manager, Forward Deployed Engineering - Public Sector

Socket.dev; Maryland; On-site; USD 211,800 - 291,300; Full time

Job summary

Databricks, based in the Washington, DC metro area with programs across MD/VA, seeks a Manager, Forward Deployed Engineering to lead a high‑performing team delivering mission‑critical data and AI solutions for strategic customers. You will oversee delivery, shape architectures, and promote best practices across large‑scale data migrations, AI/ML platforms, and generative AI initiatives.

This role requires strong leadership, deep technical credibility, and the ability to collaborate with

Qualifications

• 4+ years of people leadership experience in technical delivery.
• 5+ years as a technical solutions architect or data/AI engineer.
• Proven experience leading enterprise data platform migrations and AI programs.
• Strong project management and SOW governance skills.
• Ability to travel ~20% to client sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing Forward Deployed Engineering team delivering mission-critical data/AI solutions.
• Partner with enterprise customers and internal stakeholders to scope and deliver PS programs.
• Establish governance, risk, and quality standards for engagements.
• Mentor engineers and drive career growth within the team.
• Contribute to roadmap feedback and reusable accelerators.

Skills

People leadership

Technical solutions architect

Data/AI engineering

Stakeholder management

Databricks ecosystem

Tools

Databricks

Apache Spark

MLflow

Delta Lake

Job description

PLEASE NOTE: Due to federal contract requirements and client site access obligations, an active U.S. government security clearance is required. The position is based in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia metropolitan area and includes periodic on‑site work and client collaboration. Candidates with an active secret or higher clearance are strongly encouraged to apply.

Databricks is redefining what organisations can achieve with data and AI. As the unified platform powering the world's most ambitious data-driven enterprises, we sit at the intersection of cloud migrations, AI transformation, and real‑time intelligence and our customers challenge us every day to go further.

As Manager, Forward Deployed Engineering, you will lead a high-performing team of Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs) at the forefront of this transformation. Partnering with Databricks' most strategic enterprise customers across Public Sector, you will shape how leading organizations migrate to the lakehouse, build next‑generation AI and GenAI systems, and unlock sustained business value from their data investments.

As a people leader, you will build and scale a team that represents Databricks' highest standard of technical excellence and customer impact. Your team will partner with enterprises across industries to architect and deliver mission‑critical solutions, from large‑scale data migrations and legacy modernization programs to cutting‑edge generative AI, MLOps, and AI agent deployments. You will set the bar for delivery quality, grow world‑class talent, and drive the strategic governance framework that ensures every engagement is executed with precision and measurable impact.

While candidates in the listed location(s) are encouraged for this role, candidates in other locations will be considered.

The impact you will have:

• Oversee regional performance targets including billable utilization, team growth, and hiring while championing delivery excellence and customer success across the FDE portfolio.
• Partner with Account Executives, Engagement Managers, and Field Engineering leaders to position, scope, and deliver transformational Professional Services (PS) programs spanning data migrations, AI/ML platforms, and advanced analytics.
• Establish best practices for project oversight, risk management, and quality standards that scale with a growing FDE practice, ensuring projects are delivered on time and to specification.
• Synthesize field insights from your team’s engagements to provide direct feedback to Engineering and Product management, helping to guide the Databricks roadmap while driving the creation of reusable customer accelerators and frameworks.
• Serve as the critical escalation point for high‑stakes customer situations, leveraging deep technical credibility and leadership judgment to protect strategic relationships and drive rapid resolution.
• Mentor Forward Deployed Engineers through structured career pathways, technical coaching, and a culture of innovation, mastery, and continuous growth.

What we look for:

• 4+ years of people leadership experience managing high‑performing technical delivery teams, solution architects, or professional services organizations with a proven track record of building excellence‑driven cultures.
• 5+ years of hands‑on individual contributor experience as a technical solutions architect or data/AI engineer, providing the technical depth to coach and credibly support senior practitioners.
• Demonstrated success leading large‑scale data platform migrations and AI/ML programs within enterprise environments, across industries such as Public Sector, Manufacturing, Finance, Healthcare, Retail, Telco, or Energy.
• Strong understanding of technical project delivery, including managing scope, timelines, statements of work (SOWs), and professional services delivery metrics.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience navigating complex, high‑stakes customer environments and influencing at the C‑suite level.
• Familiarity with Databricks, Apache Spark™, MLflow, Delta Lake, or the modern data and AI ecosystem; hands‑on experience with Databricks or a direct competitor is highly valued.
• Ability to travel to customer sites and Databricks offices approximately 20% of the time.

Pay Range Transparency

Local Pay Range: $211,800 — $291,300 USD

Benefits

At Databricks, we strive to provide comprehensive benefits and perks that meet the needs of all of our employees. For specific details on the benefits offered in your region click here.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At Databricks, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone can excel. We take great care to ensure that our hiring practices are inclusive and meet equal employment opportunity standards. Individuals looking for employment at Databricks are considered without regard to age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio‑economic status, veteran status, and other protected characteristics.

Compliance

If access to export‑controlled technology or source code is required for performance of job duties, it is within Employer's discretion whether to apply for a U.S. government license for such positions, and Employer may decline to proceed with an applicant on this basis alone.