At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful projects, designing and building data solutions using Databricks.
- Company: Join Databricks, a leader in data and AI innovation.
- Benefits: Comprehensive benefits, hybrid work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel opportunities and a focus on customer engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by solving complex data challenges for top companies.
- Qualifications: Experience in data engineering and cloud ecosystems; strong problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Location: London, United Kingdom - Hybrid
We’re hiring for multiple roles within our FDE team. 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. 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 the 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 specifications 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 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 that lead to a customer's 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 customers' needs.
- 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 with technical project delivery - 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.
- 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.
- Travel to customers 20% of the time.
- Databricks Certification - an advantage.
About Databricks: Databricks is the data and AI company. More than 10,000 organizations worldwide — including Comcast, Condé Nast, Grammarly, and over 50% of the Fortune 500 — rely on the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform to unify and democratize data, analytics and AI. Databricks is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices around the globe and was founded by the original creators of Lakehouse, Apache Spark™, Delta Lake and MLflow.
Benefits: At Databricks, we strive to provide comprehensive benefits and perks that meet the needs of all of our employees.
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.
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.
Senior Forward Deployed Engineer employer: Databricks Inc.
At Databricks, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of London. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive benefits, inclusive practices, and opportunities to engage with cutting-edge technology while working closely with industry-leading clients. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the data and AI landscape, where your contributions will be valued and recognised.
