Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)

As a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE), you will work with 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. The role is a hands-on, customer-facing position that blends technical expertise with business impact, requiring you to deliver projects with exceptional customer empathy.

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 in implementing 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 projects that lead to successful understanding, evaluation and adoption of Databricks.
• Own the Architecture: Lead architecture and design decisions, ensuring solutions are secure, scalable, and aligned with customer needs and Databricks best practices.
• Collaborate with internal teams: Work with the Databricks technical team, Project Manager, Architect and Customer team to ensure the technical components of the engagement are delivered to meet customers' needs.
• Feedback and Issue Resolution: Work with Engineering and Customer Support to provide product and implementation feedback and guide rapid resolution of 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

• Experience in data engineering, data platforms & analytics, or software engineering / full stack development.
• 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 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 delivering technical projects – managing scope, timelines and measurable outcomes, translating complex concepts into actionable solutions.
• Documentation and white-boarding skills.
• Experience working with enterprise clients and managing conflicts across a broad stakeholder range.
• Demonstrated curiosity, adaptability, and eagerness to explore new technologies to support Databricks-based solutions.
• Travel to customers 20% of the time.
• Databricks Certification is an advantage.

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.