Forward Deployed Engineer
About this role
The team builds end-to-end data and AI solutions on the Databricks platform to help enterprise clients address complex technical challenges. Databricks seeks a Forward Deployed Engineer in Tokyo to own system architecture, guide design choices, and deliver production-grade applications that integrate data engineering, machine learning, and custom software.
Daily responsibilities involve embedding with client teams, scoping technical deliverables, and writing code across multiple cloud environments and frameworks. Success in the role requires deep technical acumen combined with strong interpersonal skills to navigate client requirements and coordinate across internal product and engineering groups.
Qualified candidates bring extensive software or data engineering backgrounds alongside fluency in Japanese and professional proficiency in English. The position suits professionals who enjoy a blend of hands-on coding, architectural oversight, and direct customer engagement to drive measurable business outcomes.
What you will do
- Lead customer-facing technical projects by designing reference architectures and building production-grade data and AI applications.
- Collaborate with engagement managers to scope technical deliverables and guide strategic clients through big data implementations.
- Own architecture and design decisions to ensure solutions remain secure, scalable, and aligned with company best practices.
- Embed with client teams to understand technical challenges and deliver solutions that drive product adoption.
- Coordinate with internal engineering and support groups to relay product feedback and resolve engagement-specific issues.
- Contribute reusable accelerators, frameworks, and best practices to scale technical impact across accounts.
What you need
- Bring eight or more years of professional experience in software engineering, data platforms, analytics, or data engineering.
- Write code comfortably in Python, Scala, JavaScript, or TypeScript using modern frameworks.
- Demonstrate working knowledge of at least two common cloud ecosystems with deep expertise in at least one.
- Possess deep experience with distributed computing through Apache Spark and understanding of its runtime internals.
- Show familiarity with CI/CD practices for production deployments as well as MLOps and AI APIs.
- Maintain fluency in Japanese and professional working proficiency in English alongside the ability to travel to customers twenty percent of the time.
Nice to have
- Databricks Certification
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the travel requirement for this role?
Travel to customers is required twenty percent of the time. FDEs embed with customer teams and engage with stakeholders ranging from technical individual contributors to executives.
What language proficiencies are required?
Candidates must be fluent in Japanese with a professional working proficiency in English. The role involves working closely with enterprise clients in Tokyo and managing stakeholder communication.
What technical background is expected?
Applicants need eight or more years of experience in software engineering, data platforms and analytics, or data engineering. Familiarity with distributed computing, cloud ecosystems, and MLOps is also necessary.