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What a Databricks forward deployed engineer does

Company profile

A Databricks forward deployed engineer (FDE) builds data and AI systems on the Databricks platform for customers. The roles are split by industry and sit in professional services. The postings say plainly that FDEs are billable.

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  • No deposit to get started
  • Every requirement read by us
  • A best-fit shortlist, not a pile of CVs
  • One agreement, one invoice

Where the roles are

Forward deployed roles by industry

Databricks is running one of the largest FDE hiring drives we have seen. Its job board lists Senior FDE roles by industry. They include Communications, Media, Entertainment and Games, Financial Services, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Retail, Digital Native Business and Manufacturing. There are also public sector and national security roles.

The roles are in cities such as New York, Chicago, Boston, Dallas and Washington, DC. Outside the US they include London, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore and Bengaluru.

Tell us the role and the hours. We send you a shortlist of people who fit.

  • No deposit to get started
  • Every requirement read by us
  • A best-fit shortlist, not a pile of CVs
  • One agreement, one invoice
Send your requirement

Databricks forward deployed engineer or AI FDE

Forward Deployed Engineer (industry)

  • Builds production data and AI systems on the Databricks platform
  • Owns the architecture across data engineering, AI and apps
  • Billable, and works with engagement managers on scope
  • Needs deep Apache Spark experience
  • Includes travel

AI Forward Deployed Engineer

  • A specialist customer-facing generative AI team
  • Builds RAG, multi-agent, text-to-SQL and fine-tuning systems
  • Owns production rollouts of generative AI applications
  • Not for interns, new graduates or entry level
  • Open to remote work

How Databricks compares

The word "billable" tells you a lot. Databricks FDEs are closer to professional services engineers than to a Palantir Delta. The customer pays for the project, and the FDE delivers to a specification.

The upside is depth. You specialise in a single industry and platform. You also build reusable tools that shape the product roadmap.

For engineers and leaders

Apply to join.

Apply once with your CV. We look at every application ourselves. Talent never pays.

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Tell us what you need.

Send your requirement. We send you a shortlist of senior leaders who fit. One agreement and one invoice, with the terms agreed in writing before anything starts.

  • No deposit to get started
  • Every requirement read by us
  • A best-fit shortlist, not a pile of CVs
  • One agreement, one invoice
Which side are you on?

Send your requirement

  • No deposit to get started
  • Every requirement read by us
  • A best-fit shortlist, not a pile of CVs
  • One agreement, one invoice

Apply to join

Talent never pays to apply, be shortlisted or be placed.

Availability, days per week

FAQ

Questions people ask

Do Databricks FDEs need Spark?

The industry postings ask for deep experience with Apache Spark and knowledge of how Spark runs. The AI FDE posting lists Spark as preferred.

Do Databricks FDEs travel?

Yes. The industry FDE role includes regular travel. The AI FDE role is open to remote work, with travel when a project needs it.

Does Fractionals work with Databricks?

No. Databricks is not a client of ours. We describe its public job postings. To apply for a role there, go to Databricks directly.

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