Lead Engagement Director

DataRobot•San Jose, CA

20h•Hybrid

About The Position

DataRobot delivers AI that maximizes impact and minimizes business risk. Our platform and applications integrate into core business processes so teams can develop, deliver, and govern AI at scale. DataRobot empowers practitioners to deliver predictive and generative AI, and enables leaders to secure their AI assets. Organizations worldwide rely on DataRobot for AI that makes sense for their business — today and in the future. DataRobot’s Forward Deployed Engagement Manager leads the delivery of our most advanced customer initiatives. In this high-impact role, you will be the captain of the ship for enterprise customer engagements, specifically focusing on the deployment of Agentic AI and Generative AI solutions. You are not just a project manager; you are a technical translator and a strategic partner. You will sit at the intersection of business strategy and engineering execution, guiding our customers through the complexities of adopting autonomous AI agents. Drawing on a background in software engineering or solution architecture, you will effectively manage technical risk while using your business acumen to ensure every project delivers measurable ROI.

Requirements

Technical Fluency: Understanding of system architectures, API integrations, and cloud infrastructure
Ability to engage in discussions on the software development lifecycle (SDLC) with engineering teams
Familiarity with GenAI and Agentic systems (e.g., non-deterministic behavior, latency trade-offs, MCP servers, RAG architectures)
Business Acumen: Ability to define KPIs, measure ROI, and align technical outputs with strategic business objectives
Consulting Mindset (“Consulting DNA”): Disciplined approach to project governance, documentation, and client communication
Related Experience: 7+ years of professional experience, including delivery of complex software or data products for enterprise clients
Hybrid Background: Experience in technical roles (e.g., Software Engineer, Solution Architect, Technical Lead) with progression into client-facing leadership roles (e.g., Engagement Manager, Technical Program Manager, Product Owner)
AI/ML Experience: Experience managing data science or machine learning projects
Education: Technical undergraduate degree (Computer Science, Engineering, or similar); MBA preferred

Nice To Haves

Certifications: PMP, Scrum Master (CSM), or cloud certifications (AWS, Azure, GCP) preferred
Consulting Experience: Experience working within a management consulting or technology consulting environment (Big 4 or boutique)

Responsibilities

Lead Complex AI Engagements: Own the end-to-end delivery lifecycle for high-stakes professional services engagements. You will manage the scope, timeline, budget, and execution of projects building GenAI agents and predictive solutions.
Bridge Business & Technology: Act as the primary translation layer between client business stakeholders (up to the C-suite) and DataRobot’s technical delivery team (AI Engineers and Data Scientists). You will ensure business goals are accurately translated into technical requirements.
Technical Risk Management: Leverage your technical background to identify implementation risks early—whether related to data infrastructure, API integrations, or agent logic—and work with the engineering team to mitigate them before they impact the critical path.
Stakeholder Management: cultivate strong, trusted relationships with client sponsors. You will manage expectations, handle escalations, and navigate complex organizational dynamics to ensure project success.
Drive Adoption & Change: Go beyond delivery by helping customers understand how to operationalize and adopt Agentic workflows, advising on process changes required to integrate AI agents into their daily operations.
Agile Delivery: Run agile sprints, stand-ups, and sprint reviews, ensuring the delivery team maintains high velocity and clear direction.