Sr. Manager, AI Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE)

Databricks · Remote - California · Engineering

Posted 2026-09-11

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Sr. Manager, AI Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE)

FEQ227R363

Mission

The AI Forward Deployed Engineering (AI FDE) team is a highly specialized customer-facing AI team at Databricks. We deliver professional services engagements that help customers build and productionize first-of-its-kind GenAI applications, and we work cross-functionally with AI Product, Research, and Engineering to shape long-term strategic priorities.

We are looking for a world-class leader to lead and grow our AI FDE team. In this role, you will lead customers on their AI transformation with Databricks, push the boundaries of our product, recruit and develop top data scientists/machine learning engineers, and manage a portfolio of key accounts. Candidates should expect to travel at least once a month.

While candidates in the listed location(s) are encouraged for this role, candidates in other locations will be considered.

The impact you will have:

Lead and scale a high-performing AI forward deployed engineering team, including hiring, mentoring, and building a team structure to support long-term growth and execution at scale

Shape cross-functional collaboration by influencing Product, R&D, and GTM, ensuring voice-of-customer insights and delivery learnings help inform the product roadmap and GTM strategy

Develop and expand executive relationships with key customers and partners (including VP+, CIO/CDO-level stakeholders), acting as a trusted advisor during complex technical engagements and AI transformations

Partner with Field Engineering and Sales leadership to set strategy for strategic accounts and coordinate delivery across functions

Lead strategic AI initiatives, practice development, and scalable delivery processes

Own OKRs for AI-services led accounts, revenue, utilization, and public references

Represent Databricks as a thought leader in AI through conference talks, published content, etc.

What we look for:

Experience building and managing high-performing teams of AI/ML scientists, engineers, and leaders

Ability to scope, sell, and deliver technical engagements in enterprise environments, including managing escalations and ensuring successful customer outcomes

Strong, current technical depth in AI/ML foundations, with the ability to contribute meaningfully in architecture reviews and the curiosity to stay current as the field evolves

Experience leading teams that have shipped production AI solutions in cloud environments (AWS, Azure, or GCP)

Proven success developing strategy with senior executive stakeholders to define program-level goals, align technical vision, and build trust throughout complex enterprise engagements

Experience driving AI transformation across enterprise customers, spanning applied AI product management, organizational change management, and stakeholder alignment

Experience working across Sales, Product, and GTM to connect AI delivery to business outcomes

Graduate degree in a quantitative discipline (Computer Science, Engineering, Statistics, Operations Research, etc.) or equivalent practical experience

Preferred:

Experience in a customer-facing leadership role

Experience working with Databricks

Pay Range Transparency

Databricks is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The pay range(s) for this role is listed below and represents the expected salary range for non-commissionable roles or on-target earnings for commissionable roles.  Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to job-related skills, depth of experience, relevant certifications and training, and specific work location. Based on the factors above, Databricks anticipates utilizing the full width of the range. The total compensation package for this position may also include eligibility for annual performance bonus, equity, and the benefits listed above. For more information regarding which range your location is in visit our page here.

Local Pay Range

$232,900—$320,200 USD

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