Sr. Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) - Public Sector

This role requires an active Secret or Top Secret clearance.

About Databricks

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. Founded by engineers, and customer obsessed, we leap at every opportunity to solve technical challenges, from designing next-gen UI/UX for interfacing with data to scaling our services and infrastructure across millions of virtual machines.

The Role

As a Sr. Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE), you will work with federal government 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 specification with exceptional customer empathy.

Please note: this role is hybrid and has a requirement to travel to customer locations 20-25% of the time.

Responsibilities

• 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 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.
• Deliver Technical Components: 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.
• Cross-Collaborate: Work with Engineers and 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.

Requirements

• 6+ years experience in data engineering, data platforms & analytics, or software engineering.
• Fluency in writing code in Python, Scala, JavaScript/TypeScript, and modern frameworks.
• 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, documentation, and white-boarding skills.
• Experience working with enterprise clients and managing conflicts across a broad stakeholder range.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in MLOps, ML/AI models, and AI APIs.
• Databricks Certification.

Pay

Zone 2 Pay Range: $182,000—$250,208 USD.

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, visit our benefits page.