Sr. Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) - Public Sector

Databricks•Maryland, MD

1d•$182,000 - $250,208•Hybrid

About The Position

As a Sr. Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE), you will collaborate with customers to develop and implement production-ready solutions for their data and AI challenges using the Databricks platform. Your responsibilities will include owning the architecture, guiding design decisions, and building end-to-end systems that encompass data engineering, AI, and application development. You will work cross-functionally with engineering, product, and developer relations teams to shape long-term strategic priorities and initiatives. FDEs are expected to demonstrate customer empathy, integrate with client systems, provide training, and address other technical needs to maximize customer value from their data. This is a hands-on, customer-facing role for individuals who excel at the intersection of technology and business impact. The ideal candidate possesses strong engineering expertise, adaptability, curiosity, and a passion for solving complex problems with customers and teammates to achieve measurable outcomes. FDEs are billable and skilled in completing projects to specification with exceptional customer empathy.

Requirements

6+ years of experience in data engineering, data platforms & analytics, or software engineering.
Proficiency 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 using 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.
Experience in the 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, including managing scope, timelines, and measurable outcomes, and translating complex concepts into actionable solutions.
Strong documentation and white-boarding skills.
Experience working with enterprise clients and managing conflicts across a broad stakeholder range.
Demonstrated ability to build skills in technical areas, and exhibit curiosity, adaptability, and eagerness to explore new technologies that support the deployment and integration of Databricks-based solutions to complete customer projects.
Travel to customers 20% of the time.

Nice To Haves

U.S. government Top Secret clearance required.
Candidates with an active Secret or higher clearance are strongly encouraged to apply.
Databricks Certification

Responsibilities

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.
Guide strategic customers in implementing transformational big data projects, including end-to-end design, build, and deployment of industry-leading big data and AI applications. Collaborate with engagement managers to scope technical delivery work with customer input.
Advise customers on architecture and design; bootstrap or implement customer projects to ensure their successful understanding, evaluation, and adoption of Databricks.
Lead architecture and design decisions, ensuring solutions are secure, scalable, and aligned with both customer needs and Databricks best practices.
Collaborate with the Databricks technical team, Project Manager, Architect, and Customer team to ensure the technical components of the engagement meet customer needs.
Work with Engineering and Databricks Customer Support to provide product and implementation feedback and to guide rapid resolution for engagement-specific product and support issues.
Embed with customer teams, engaging with stakeholders from technical ICs to executives to deeply understand challenges and deliver impact.
Contribute accelerators, frameworks, and best practices that scale impact across accounts and influence the Databricks product roadmap.