Manager, Forward Deployed Engineering - Manufacturing

Databricks is redefining what organisations can achieve with data and AI. As a Manager of Forward Deployed Engineering, you will lead a team of engineers to help enterprises migrate to the lakehouse architecture and implement AI solutions, ensuring high standards of delivery and customer success.

Responsibilities:

• Drive regional performance targets including billable utilisation, team growth, and hiring while championing delivery excellence and customer success across the FDE portfolio
• Lead high-stakes enterprise engagements: partner with Account Executives, Engagement Managers, and Field Engineering leaders to position and deliver transformational PS programs spanning data migrations, AI/ML platforms, and advanced analytics
• Champion delivery governance and operational rigor: establish best practices for project oversight, risk management, and quality standards that scale with a growing FDE & AI Engineering practice
• Act as executive escalation point for critical customer situations, leveraging deep technical credibility and leadership judgment to protect strategic relationships and drive resolution
• Develop and retain exceptional technical talent: mentor Forward Deployed Engineers and AI Engineers through structured career pathways, technical coaching, and a culture of innovation, mastery, and continuous growth

Requirements:

• 4+ years of people leadership experience managing high-performing technical delivery teams, solution architects, or professional services organisations with a proven track record of building excellence-driven cultures
• 5+ years of hands-on individual contributor experience as a technical solutions architect or data/AI engineer, providing the technical depth to coach and credibly support senior practitioners
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale data platform migrations and AI/ML programs within enterprise environments, across industries such as Finance, Healthcare, Retail, Telco, or Energy
• Strong executive presence and stakeholder management skills, with experience navigating complex, high-stakes customer environments and influencing at the C-suite level
• Familiarity with Databricks, Apache Spark™, MLflow, Delta Lake, or the modern data and AI ecosystem; hands-on experience with Databricks or a direct competitor is highly valued