Sr. Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) - Digital Native Business
About this role
Builders who enjoy combining hands-on technical problem-solving with direct client engagement will find this role a strong fit. Databricks needs a senior forward-deployed engineer to help digital native businesses design and productionize complex data and AI systems. Team members collaborate across engineering, product, and developer relations to shape strategic initiatives while embedding directly with client stakeholders.
Daily responsibilities involve owning system architecture, writing code, and integrating machine learning models into scalable cloud environments. The position suits professionals who balance deep technical expertise in distributed computing with strong interpersonal skills and empathy for customer challenges. Success requires translating intricate technical concepts into reliable solutions that drive measurable business outcomes.
What you will do
- Lead client technical projects by delivering production-grade systems and designing custom reference architectures.
- Guide strategic accounts through big data implementations from initial design to final deployment.
- Collaborate with engagement managers to scope technical delivery work based on customer requirements.
- Build reusable assets and frameworks that scale impact across multiple client accounts.
- Coordinate with engineering and support teams to resolve product issues discovered during engagements.
What you need
- Bring six or more years of professional background in software engineering, data platforms, or data engineering.
- Write production code proficiently using Python, Scala, JavaScript, TypeScript, or modern frameworks.
- Possess working knowledge across multiple cloud ecosystems with deep expertise in at least one major provider.
- Demonstrate hands-on experience with distributed computing through Apache Spark and its runtime internals.
- Design and deploy end-to-end data architectures that combine pipelines, applications, and machine learning models.
- Manage technical project scope, timelines, and stakeholder conflicts while maintaining clear documentation.
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the expected salary range for this role?
The salary range for this position is $182,000 to $250,208 USD. Actual compensation packages are based on factors such as job-related skills, depth of experience, relevant certifications, and work location.
Where is the position located and what are the travel expectations?
This role is focused on the San Francisco Bay Area. Candidates should be based in the area, willing to relocate, or able to travel there at least one week per month, with overall customer travel expected about 20% of the time.
What kind of technical background is required?
Candidates need over six years of experience in software engineering, data platforms, or data engineering. This includes coding ability in Python, Scala, or JavaScript/TypeScript, alongside deep knowledge of Apache Spark and cloud ecosystems.