Staff Forward Deployed Engineer

Databricks Inc.; South Carolina; Hybrid; USD 220,000 - 302,000; Full time

Job summary

Databricks is hiring a Staff Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) to work with federal, state and local government customers, delivering end-to-end data & AI solutions on the Databricks platform. This role is hybrid with 20–25% travel to customer locations and requires an active Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the willingness to obtain one.

You will lead cross-functional design, architecture and delivery efforts, mentor other FDEs and partner teams, and translate technical decisions into

Qualifications

• 7+ years experience in data engineering, data platforms & analytics, or software engineering.
• Proficiency with Python, Scala, or JavaScript/TypeScript.
• Experience with two or more cloud ecosystems (AWS, Azure, GCP) in at least one.
• Deep experience with distributed computing using Apache Spark and Spark internals.
• Experience owning large-scale cross-team projects and driving adoption.
• 3+ years in MLOps, ML/AI models and AI APIs.
• Design and deployment of production data architectures with pipelines, ML/AI models, and user interfaces.
• Experience delivering technical projects at director level or above.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional engagements to deliver production solutions with the Databricks platform.
• Guide strategic customers through end-to-end big data projects from design to deployment.
• Bootstrap or implement customer projects to ensure adoption and value realization.
• Lead architecture decisions to ensure secure, scalable solutions.
• Collaborate with Engineering, PM, Architect and Customer teams to meet needs.
• Provide product feedback and guide rapid issue resolution with teams across the org.
• Embed with customer teams from ICs to executives to understand challenges and impact.
• Develop accelerators and best practices that scale across accounts.

Skills

Data engineering

Python/Scala/JS

Cloud platforms

Apache Spark

Leadership

MLOps

Data architecture

Project leadership

Tools

Agenda management

Job description

CSQ128R47

Please note: this role is hybrid and has a requirement to travel to customer locations 20-25% of the time. It requires an active Secret or Top Secret clearance OR the willingness and eligibility to obtain one.

As a Staff Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE), you will work with federal, state, and local government customers to build and productionize solutions to their data & AI challenges using the Databricks platform. You will manage and lead technical design and implementations that integrate multiple platform capabilities for high-complexity, multi-faceted engagements. You'll also have the opportunity to influence by mentoring FDEs, customer and partner team members, as well as serve as a trusted advisor to both technical teams and senior leaders by connecting technical decisions to measureable business outcomes. In addition, you will expand platform adoption and restore confience in at-risk accounts by tailoring the approach to the customer's industry, maturity, and team context.

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.

The impact you will have:

• Production Solution Delivery: Lead cross-functional execution for complex engagements, coordinating with FDE engagement teams, Sales, Product/Engineering, xSAs and Partner teams to remove roadblocks and scale best practices. Develop frameworks and tools adopted beyond the immediate team and influences Product and Engineering by surfacing platform gaps and roadmap priorities.
• 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.
• 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.
• Work with Engineering and Databricks 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 look for:

• 7+ years experience in data engineering, data platforms & analytics, or software engineering
• Expertise working with code in either Python, Scala, JavaScript/TypeScript, and modern frameworks
• Experience with 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
• Experience owning large-scale projects impacting multiple teams and BUs independently and work with account teams to grow Databricks consumption
• Deliver quantifiable impact outside of the immediate team
• 3+ years of experience with 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 at the Director level or above, including managing scope, timelines and measurable outcomes, translating complex concepts into actionable solutions

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with enterprise clients at the C-level level and above and managing conflicts across a broad transformational path and stakeholder range
• Build skills in technical areas, and demonstrate curiosity, adaptability, and eagerness to explore new technologies which support the deployment and integration of Databricks-based solutions to complete customer projects
• 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: $219,765 — $302,220 USD

Zone 2 Pay Range: $219,765 — $302,220 USD

Zone 3 Pay Range: $219,765 — $302,220 USD

Zone 4 Pay Range: $219,765 — $302,220 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.