Sr. Manager, Engineering - Search

Databricks; California (MO); On-site; USD 222,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Databricks is seeking a Senior Engineering Manager for Search to lead a talented team responsible for the next-generation cloud-native Search stack, including Vector, Keyword, and Hybrid Search. You will partner with product and research to shape the roadmap and ensure high availability of large-scale services in the cloud.

You will mentor engineers, drive performance, and help define long-term strategies that enable AI and data applications across Databricks products.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in search, database systems, or AI/ML infrastructure.
• Proven track record of building and scaling highly-available cloud services.
• Strong leadership experience — building, growing, and managing high-performing engineering teams.
• Experience defining and meeting SLOs for distributed, production-grade systems.
• Solid understanding of search and indexing systems (Elasticsearch, Lucene, or vector databases).
• BS in Computer Science (Masters or PhD Preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of talented software engineers to design, build, and operate the next-generation cloud-native Search services.
• Drive innovation across Vector Search, Keyword Search, and Hybrid Search capabilities to improve relevance, latency, and cost efficiency.
• Build a strong partnership with product and research teams to define the roadmap for Search Quality, including ranking models and evaluation frameworks.
• Manage and operate large-scale, highly-available services in the cloud.
• Grow and mentor engineers and emerging leaders through coaching, feedback, and development opportunities.
• Shape and execute the long-term product and engineering strategy for Search.
• Partner cross-functionally with teams across Databricks to ensure the Search platform serves as a core enabler for AI and data applications.

Skills

Search experience

Cloud services

Leadership

SLO management

Elasticsearch

Lucene

Vector databases

Education

BS in Computer Science

Masters or PhD preferred

Tools

Elasticsearch

Lucene

Vector databases

Job description

RDQ426R193

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.

Search plays a foundational role in this mission. Whether through keyword-based retrieval, semantic similarity via vector embeddings, or hybrid approaches that combine both, our Search technologies help customers find, discover, and understand information across massive, complex datasets. These capabilities power everything from Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), AI assistants, and recommendation systems to enterprise knowledge management, in-product search, and data exploration.

As a Senior Engineering Manager for Search, you’ll play a critical role in building and scaling our next-generation Search product — spanning Vector Search, Keyword Search, and Search Quality. You’ll drive the design and evolution of a highly-performant, cost-efficient, and developer-friendly Search stack that enables customers to build AI applications with accuracy, speed, and scale. Beyond hands-on contributions, you’ll help define the long-term vision, mentor senior engineers, collaborate across teams, and lead strategic efforts that expand the technical and business impact of Search at Databricks.

The impact you will have:

• Lead a team of talented software engineers to design, build, and operate the next-generation cloud-native Search services.

• Drive innovation across Vector Search, Keyword Search, and Hybrid Search capabilities to improve relevance, latency, and cost efficiency.

• Build a strong partnership with product and research teams to define the roadmap for Search Quality, including ranking models and evaluation frameworks.

• Manage and operate large-scale, highly-available services in the cloud.

• Grow and mentor engineers and emerging leaders through coaching, feedback, and development opportunities.

• Shape and execute the long-term product and engineering strategy for Search.

• Partner cross-functionally with teams across Databricks to ensure the Search platform serves as a core enabler for AI and data applications.

• Foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and empathy.

What we look for:

• 5+ years of experience in search, database systems, or AI/ML infrastructure.

• Proven track record of building and scaling highly-available cloud services.

• Strong leadership experience — building, growing, and managing high-performing engineering teams.

• Experience defining and meeting SLOs for distributed, production-grade systems.

• Solid understanding of search and indexing systems (e.g., Elasticsearch, Lucene, or vector databases).

• Familiarity with database internals or large-scale data processing systems.

• BS in Computer Science (Masters or PhD Preferred).

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

$222,000—$300,000 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.