Senior Forward-Deployed Data & AI Engineer (Secret Clearance)

Databricks; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 182,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Databricks is seeking a Sr. Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) to collaborate with federal government customers, architect and deliver data/AI solutions using the Databricks platform. You will lead design decisions, own end-to-end systems, and work across engineering, product, and customer teams to maximize value.

The role is hands-on, customer-facing, and requires travel to client sites 20-25%. Strong engineering, communication, and problem-solving skills are essential to drive measurable outcomes

Qualifications

• 6+ years experience in data engineering, data platforms & analytics, or software engineering.
• Fluency in writing code in Python, Scala, JavaScript/TypeScript, and modern frameworks.
• Working knowledge of two or more Cloud ecosystems (AWS, Azure, GCP) with expertise in at least one.
• Deep experience with distributed computing with Apache Spark and knowledge of Spark runtime internals.
• Familiarity with CI/CD for production deployments; Working knowledge of MLOps, ML/AI models and AI APIs.
• Design and deployment of performant production end-to-end data architectures and applications that combine data pipelines, ML/AI models, and user-facing interfaces.
• Experience with technical project delivery, documentation and white‑boarding skills.
• Preferred Qualifications: Expertise in MLOps, ML/AI models, and AI APIs
• Databricks Certification

Responsibilities

• Production Solution Delivery: Lead impactful customer technical projects by delivering production-grade systems, designing and building reference architectures, custom applications and data ingestion and ML/AI model integration.
• Transformational Impact: Guide strategic customers as they implement transformational big data projects including end-to-end design, build and deployment of industry‑leading big data and AI applications.
• Empower Customers: Guide customers on architecture and design; bootstrap or implement customer projects which leads to a customers' successful understanding, evaluation and adoption of Databricks.
• Own the Architecture: Lead architecture and design decisions, ensuring solutions are secure, scalable, and aligned with both customer needs and Databricks best practices.
• Deliver Technical Components: Work with the Databricks technical team, Project Manager, Architect and Customer team to ensure the technical components of the engagement are delivered to meet customer's needs.
• Cross-Collaborate: Work with Engineers and Customer Support to provide product and implementation feedback and to guide rapid resolution for engagement specific product and support issues.
• Customer Immersion: Embed with customer teams, engaging with stakeholders from technical ICs to executives to deeply understand challenges and deliver impact.
• Reusable Assets & Scale: Contribute accelerators, frameworks, and best practices that scale impact across accounts and influence the Databricks product roadmap.

Skills

Python

Scala

JavaScript/TypeScript

Cloud platforms

Apache Spark

CI/CD

MLOps

Communication

Tools

Databricks

Job description

Databricks is seeking a Sr. Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) to collaborate with federal government customers, architect and deliver data/AI solutions using the Databricks platform. You will lead design decisions, own end-to-end systems, and work across engineering, product, and customer teams to maximize value.

The role is hands-on, customer-facing, and requires travel to client sites 20-25%. Strong engineering, communication, and problem-solving skills are essential to drive measurable outcomes