About the job
As Manager, Forward Deployed Engineering, you will lead a high-performing team of Forward Deployed Engineers and AI Engineers at the forefront of this transformation. Partnering with Databricks' most strategic enterprise accounts, you will shape how leading organisations migrate to the lakehouse, build next-generation AI and GenAI systems, and unlock sustained business value from their data investments.
Responsibilities
Drive regional performance targets including billable utilisation, team growth, and hiring while championing delivery excellence and customer success across the FDE portfolio
Lead high-stakes enterprise engagements: partner with Account Executives, Engagement Managers, and Field Engineering leaders to position and deliver transformational PS programs spanning data migrations, AI/ML platforms, and advanced analytics
Champion delivery governance and operational rigor: establish best practices for project oversight, risk management, and quality standards that scale with a growing FDE & AI Engineering practice
Act as executive escalation point for critical customer situations, leveraging deep technical credibility and leadership judgment to protect strategic relationships and drive resolution
Develop and retain exceptional technical talent: mentor Forward Deployed Engineers and AI Engineers through structured career pathways, technical coaching, and a culture of innovation, mastery, and continuous growth
Qualifications
Minimum
4+ years of people leadership experience managing high-performing technical delivery teams, solution architects, or professional services organisations with a proven track record of building excellence-driven cultures
5+ years of hands-on individual contributor experience as a technical solutions architect or data/AI engineer, providing the technical depth to coach and credibly support senior practitioners
Demonstrated success leading large-scale data platform migrations and AI/ML programs within enterprise environments, across industries such as Finance, Healthcare, Retail, Telco, or Energy
Strong executive presence and stakeholder management skills, with experience navigating complex, high-stakes customer environments and influencing at the C-suite level
Preferred
Familiarity with Databricks, Apache Spark™, MLflow, Delta Lake, or the modern data and AI ecosystem; hands-on experience with Databricks or a direct competitor is highly valued