Sr. Forward Deployed Engineer - National Security

Cacheflow; Maryland; Hybrid; USD 182,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Databricks is seeking a Senior Forward Deployed Engineer to work with federal government customers, owning architecture and end-to-end delivery spanning data engineering, AI, and application development on the Databricks platform.

You will collaborate with engineering, product, and client teams, deliver production-grade systems, design reference architectures, and ensure security and scalability while traveling 20-25% to customer sites.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in data engineering, analytics, or software engineering.
• Proficient in Python, Scala, JavaScript/TypeScript and modern frameworks.
• Experience with two+ cloud ecosystems (AWS/Azure/GCP) and expertise in one.
• Deep experience with distributed computing using Apache Spark.
• Knowledge of CI/CD for production deployments.
• Knowledge of MLOps, ML models and AI APIs.
• Design and deployment of scalable data architectures and apps integrating pipelines and ML/AI.
• Experience working with enterprise clients and managing conflicts across stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead production-grade projects and reference architectures for clients.
• Guide transformational big data projects end-to-end from design to deployment.
• Bootstrap or implement customer projects to enable Databricks adoption.
• Own architecture decisions to ensure security, scalability and alignment with best practices.
• Deliver technical components with cross-team collaboration (engineering, PM, support).
• Provide feedback to product and support teams to expedite issue resolution.
• Embed with customer teams from ICs to executives to understand challenges and impact.
• Contribute accelerators and best practices that scale across accounts.

Skills

Data engineering

Python/Scala/JS

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)

Apache Spark

CI/CD for production

MLOps / ML models

Data architecture

Project delivery / stakeholder mgmt

Job description

About Databricks

At Databricks, we are passionate about enabling data teams to solve the world’s toughest problems, from making the next mode of transportation a reality to accelerating the development of medical breakthroughs. We do this by building and running the world’s best data and AI infrastructure platform so our customers can use deep data insights to improve their business. Founded by engineers, and customer obsessed, we leap at every opportunity to solve technical challenges, from designing next-gen UI/UX for interfacing with data to scaling our services and infrastructure across millions of virtual machines. And we’re only getting started.

The Role

As a Sr. Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE), you will work with federal government customers to build and productionize solutions to their data & AI challenges using the Databricks platform. You will own the architecture, lead design decisions, and implement end-to-end systems spanning data engineering, AI, and application development. We work cross-functionally to shape long-term strategic priorities and initiatives alongside engineering, product, and developer relations. FDEs deliver with customer empathy, integrating with client systems, training, and other technical needs to help customers get most value out of their data.

This is a hands-on, customer-facing role for builders who thrive at the intersection of technology and business impact. The ideal candidate combines engineering expertise with adaptability, curiosity, and a passion for working with customers and teammates to solve complex problems that drive measurable outcomes. FDEs are billable and know how to complete projects according to specification with exceptional customer empathy.

Please note: this role is hybrid and has a requirement to travel to customer locations 20-25% of the time

The impact you will have:

• 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. Work with engagement managers to scope technical delivery work with input from the customer
• 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.

What We’re Looking For:

Minimum 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 common 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 deploymentsWorking knowledge of MLOps, ML/AI models and AI APIsDesign 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 skillsExperience working with enterprise clients and managing conflicts across a broad stakeholder range

Preferred Qualifications:

• Expertise in MLOps, ML/AI models, and AI APIs
• Databricks Certification

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 base 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 anticipated 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.

Zone 1 Pay Range: $182,000 — $250,208 USD

Zone 2 Pay Range: $182,000 — $250,208 USD

Zone 3 Pay Range: $182,000 — $250,208 USD

Zone 4 Pay Range: $182,000 — $250,208 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.

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.