Sr. Manager, AI Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE)

vibehackers; California; On-site; USD 233,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Databricks seeks a Senior leader to grow the AI Forward Deployed Engineering team, delivering GenAI applications for enterprise customers and guiding strategic accounts.

You will manage a portfolio of engagements, influence product and GTM priorities, and mentor a high-performing team, with regular travel to support AI transformations.

Qualifications

• Experience leading AI/ML teams and engagements in enterprise environments.
• Proven ability to scope and deliver technical engagements with executive stakeholders.
• Strong technical depth in AI/ML foundations and cloud deployment practices.

Responsibilities

• Hire, mentor, and scale the AI FDE team for scalable delivery.
• Lead strategic AI initiatives, practice development, and delivery processes across accounts.
• Partner with Product, R&D, Field Engineering, and Sales to align delivery with roadmap and GTM.
• Build and maintain executive relationships with VP+/CIO/CDO-level stakeholders.
• Own OKRs for AI-services-led accounts, revenue, and references.
• Represent Databricks externally through talks and content.

Skills

Leadership

Team Management

People Development

Customer-facing

Engagement

Executive Relationship Management

Stakeholder Management

Cross-functional Collaboration

Strategy

Account Management

Project Delivery

OKR Management

Practice Development

Communication

Enterprise Selling/Scoping

Change Management

Technical Architecture Review

Job description

Works on building and productionizing GenAI applications on Databricks; involves applied AI/ML engineering and customer-facing AI transformations.

About the Role

Lead and grow Databricks' AI Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) team to deliver and productionize GenAI applications for enterprise customers, manage strategic accounts, and influence product and GTM strategy. This customer-facing leadership role combines technical AI/ML depth with people management, cross-functional collaboration, and regular travel to support AI transformations.

Job Description

Role

Lead and scale the AI Forward Deployed Engineering (AI FDE) team at Databricks to deliver customer-facing professional services that build and productionize GenAI applications. Serve as a trusted advisor to executive stakeholders, manage a portfolio of strategic accounts, and influence product and go-to-market priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Hire, mentor, and build a high-performing AI FDE team; develop team structure to support long-term growth and scalable delivery.
• Lead strategic AI initiatives, practice development, and processes for scalable delivery across accounts.
• Partner with Product, R&D, Field Engineering, and Sales to align delivery with product roadmap and GTM strategy.
• Drive executive relationships with VP+/CIO/CDO-level stakeholders and act as a trusted advisor during complex technical engagements.
• Own OKRs for AI-services-led accounts, revenue, utilization, and public references.
• Represent Databricks externally through conference talks and published content.

Requirements

• Experience building and managing high-performing teams of AI/ML scientists, engineers, and leaders.
• Proven ability to scope, sell, and deliver technical engagements in enterprise environments, including escalation management and successful customer outcomes.
• Strong, current technical depth in AI/ML foundations and the ability to contribute in architecture reviews.
• Experience shipping production AI solutions in cloud environments (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Track record of developing strategy with senior executive stakeholders and driving AI transformation across enterprise customers.
• Experience working across Sales, Product, and GTM to connect AI delivery to business outcomes.

Preferred

• Prior experience in a customer-facing leadership role.
• Experience working with Databricks.

Compensation

• Local pay range listed: $232,900 — $320,200 USD. Actual compensation may include annual performance bonus, equity, and regional benefits.

Travel & Location

• Candidates should expect to travel at least once a month. While candidates in listed locations are encouraged, candidates in other locations will be considered.
• Eligibility for annual performance bonus and equity. Regional benefits are provided (details vary by location).

Databricks GenAI AWS Azure GCP Genie Lakebase Agent Bricks Lakeflow Lakehouse Unity Catalog

Skills

Leadership Team Management People Development Customer-facing Engagement Executive Relationship Management Stakeholder Management Cross-functional Collaboration Strategy Account Management Project Delivery OKR Management Practice Development Communication Enterprise Selling/Scoping Change Management Technical Architecture Review

Experience Level

Senior

USD 232,900 - 320,200/year

• Annual performance bonus
• Comprehensive regional benefits (unspecified)