Senior AI Solutions Architect at Databricks | $247K

Databricks; United States; Remote; USD 180,000 - 248,000; Full time

Job summary

Databricks is seeking a Senior AI Solutions Architect to guide enterprise customers on architecture and deployment of the Databricks Platform on Azure, including AI/ML workloads and scale‑out infrastructure. This remote, high‑impact role blends cloud infrastructure with AI strategy and enterprise pre‑sales leadership.

You will design, implement, and optimize environments for large‑scale AI applications, influence roadmaps, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams to deliver differentiated

Qualifications

• 6+ years in solutions architecture, technical pre‑sales, or a senior hands‑on technical role
• Hands‑on experience architecting underlying cloud infrastructure for AI/ML execution, including GPUs/TPUs, scalable model serving, and cost-performance balance
• Advanced expertise in Security & Identity, Networking & Deployments, Platform Administration, InfraOps tooling (Terraform, Bicep, ARM)
• Strong coding in Python and SQL with live coding and solution-building skills
• Distributed data systems architecture for scalable pipelines, streaming, lakehouse patterns
• Proven ability to lead architecture discussions with senior technical stakeholders
• Track record of driving platform adoption and consumption growth
• Excellent communication skills translating architectures to business value
• Willingness to travel up to 30% as needed
• Nice to have Databricks certifications and experience with competitive platforms

Responsibilities

• Guide strategic customers through Databricks on Azure lifecycle from design to production deployment
• Architect and scale compute/networking infrastructure for AI workloads and enterprise LLM deployments
• Serve as SME in Azure infrastructure, IaC, cloud networking, and identity management
• Drive technical wins in competitive scenarios with custom solutions
• Coordinate cross-functional resources to deliver comprehensive customer solutions
• Influence product direction by giving structured feedback on requirements and gaps
• Provide clear documentation and communication to stakeholders

Skills

Azure infrastructure

GenAI deployment

IaC tooling

MLOps patterns

Enterprise pre-sales

Python and SQL

Distributed data systems

Databricks Platform

Technical leadership

Communication

Bachelor's or Master's degree

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in CS/Engineering/quantitative discipline

Tools

Terraform

Bicep

ARM

Job description

Senior AI Solutions Architect at Databricks | $247K — Remote

A High-Ceiling Role at a Category-Defining Company

Databricks consistently ranks among the most valuable private tech companies (valued at ~$62B as of its last funding round), and this SSA role sits at a strategic intersection of cloud infrastructure, AI, and enterprise sales engineering. That's a rare combination in today's market.

Compensation Analysis

The $180K–$247.5K base range is competitive to slightly above market for a Senior Solutions Architect role in the US. Add performance bonus and equity in a pre-IPO company, and total compensation could significantly exceed $300K+ annually — making this one of the more lucrative SSA positions available.

Skills You’ll Build

• Deep Azure infrastructure expertise (VNet, ExpressRoute, Private Link) — highly transferable and in strong demand
• Hands‑on GenAI/LLM deployment architecture — one of the fastest‑growing skill areas in tech
• IaC tooling (Terraform, Bicep) and MLOps patterns — durable, cross‑platform skills
• Enterprise pre‑sales motion — a path toward Principal Architect, Field CTO, or VP Engineering roles

Green Flags

• Structured 6‑stage interview process signals a rigorous but transparent hiring culture
• Explicit product feedback loop — you'll influence roadmap, not just execute it
• Fortune 500 customer exposure accelerates career credibility rapidly

Watch Out For: The 30% travel requirement and the breadth of expertise demanded (security, networking, AI, IaC, pre‑sales) make this a high‑intensity role best suited for someone who thrives in multi‑domain technical environments.

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As an Infrastructure & AI Platform Specialist Solutions Architect (SSA), you will serve as a trusted technical advisor, guiding enterprise customers through the architecture, cloud infrastructure, and AI deployment patterns of their Databricks Platform on Microsoft Azure. You combine deep technical expertise with strategic thinking to position Databricks as the foundation of your customers' data and AI strategy.

This role can be remote.

The Impact You Will Have

• Guide strategic customers through the full lifecycle of Databricks on Azure, including platform administration, from initial architectural design to production deployment
• Architect and scale compute/networking infrastructure designed specifically for AI workloads, enterprise LLM deployments, and high‑performance GenAI applications built on Databricks
• Serve as a subject matter expert in core areas such as Microsoft Azure infrastructure, infrastructure‑as‑code (IaC), cloud networking, and identity management
• Drive technical wins in competitive scenarios by demonstrating Databricks' differentiation through custom‑built solutions
• Orchestrate cross‑functional resources (DSAs, SAs, SSAs, Partners) to deliver comprehensive solutions for complex customer needs
• Influence product direction by providing structured feedback on customer requirements and competitive gaps

What We Look For

• 6+ years in solutions architecture, technical pre‑sales, or a senior hands‑on technical role
• Hands‑on experience architecting underlying cloud infrastructure for AI/ML execution — including accelerator configuration (GPUs/TPUs), scalable model serving infrastructure, vectorized data retrieval, and balancing cloud performance vs. cost for large‑scale AI workloads
• Advanced expertise across the following areas:
  • Security & Identity: Azure security controls, platform/network/data security, encryption, vulnerability management, compliance, and identity protocols (Microsoft Entra ID / SCIM, OAuth, SAML, Federation)
  • Networking & Deployments: Azure enterprise networking (VNet peering, ExpressRoute, Private Link), network routing, performance optimization, and large‑scale deployment management
  • Platform Administration: High availability, disaster recovery, cluster orchestration, observability (Azure Monitor, Log Analytics), and Azure cost management
  • Infrastructure Automation (InfraOps): Hands‑on automation using IaC tools (e.g., Terraform, Bicep, ARM) to build, maintain, and scale complex Azure environments
• Strong coding proficiency in Python and SQL — you must demonstrate live coding, debugging, and solution‑building skills
• Deep expertise in distributed data systems architecture: designing scalable pipelines, streaming architectures, lakehouse patterns, and cloud‑native data platforms
• Proficient on the Databricks Platform (or demonstrated ability to achieve proficiency rapidly) with a developing technical specialization in one area (e.g., real‑time/streaming, ML/AI, data governance, migrations)
• Proven ability to lead architecture discussions with senior technical stakeholders — whiteboarding, design reviews, and trade‑off analysis
• Track record of driving platform adoption and consumption growth within accounts
• Excellent communication skills — able to translate complex architectures into business value for both technical and executive audiences
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a quantitative discipline (or equivalent experience)
• Willingness to travel up to 30% as needed

Nice to Have

• Databricks certifications (Data Engineer, ML, Platform)
• Experience with competitive platforms (Snowflake, AWS native services, Azure Synapse) — understanding the landscape you'll position against
• Background in a data/AI company or cloud provider

Interview Process

Pay Range Transparency

Databricks is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The pay range(s) for this role is listed below and represents the expected salary range for non‑commissionable roles or on‑target earnings for commissionable roles. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to job‑related skills, depth of experience, relevant certifications and training, and specific work location. Based on the factors above, Databricks anticipates utilizing the full width of the range. The total compensation package for this position may also include eligibility for annual performance bonus, equity, and the benefits listed above. For more information regarding which range your location is in visit our page here .

Local Pay Range: $180,000 — $247,500 USD

About Databricks

Databricks is the Data and AI company. More than 20,000 organizations worldwide — including adidas, AT&T, Bayer, Block, Mastercard, Rivian, Unilever, and 70% of the Fortune 500 — rely on the Databricks Data + AI Platform to build and scale data and AI apps, analytics and agents. Headquartered in San Francisco with 30+ offices around the globe, Databricks offers a unified platform that includes Genie, Lakebase, Agent Bricks, Lakeflow, Lakehouse, and Unity Catalog. To learn more, follow Databricks on LinkedIn , X , YouTube , and Instagram .

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.

Is this Databricks Solutions Architect role truly remote? Yes, the job posting explicitly states this role can be remote. However, candidates should note a willingness to travel up to 30% is required for customer engagements. What is the salary range for this position? The local pay range is $180,000–$247,500 USD annually. Total compensation may also include an annual performance bonus and equity, and varies by location based on Databricks' pay zone mapping. What is the interview process like? The process consists of six stages: Recruiter Screen, Hiring Manager Screen, Design and Architecture Interview, Live Coding Assessment, Presentation, and Reference Check. Expect to demonstrate live coding and architecture skills. Do I need prior Databricks experience to apply? Proficiency on the Databricks Platform is preferred, but the posting notes that candidates with the ability to achieve proficiency rapidly will also be considered. Databricks certifications are listed as a nice‑to‑have, not a requirement. What technical specializations are most relevant for this role? The role emphasizes Azure infrastructure, security and identity (Microsoft Entra ID, SAML, OAuth), enterprise networking, IaC tools like Terraform and Bicep, and AI/ML workload architecture including GPU/TPU configuration and LLM deployment.