Sr. Manager, AI Forward Deployed Engineering
Databricks
Salary undisclosed
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Description
CSQ427R238
Sr. Manager, AI Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE)
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 India. 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.
You will report directly to our India FDE leader and dotted line to the APJ AI FDE leader. The ideal candidate is based out of Bangalore or Mumbai. Candidates should expect to travel at least once a month.
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
About Databricks
Databricks is the Data and AI company. More than 20,000 organizations worldwide — including adidas, AT&T, Bayer, Block, Mastercard, Rivian, Unilever, and 70% of the Fortune 500 — rely on the Databricks Data + AI Platform to build and scale data and AI apps, analytics and agents. Headquartered in San Francisco with 30+ offices around the globe, Databricks offers a unified platform that includes Genie, Lakebase, Agent Bricks, Lakeflow, Lakehouse, and Unity Catalog. To learn more, follow Databricks on LinkedIn, X, YouTube, and Instagram.
Benefits
At Databricks, we strive to provide comprehensive benefits and perks that meet the needs of all of our employees. For specific details on the benefits offered in your region click here.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
At Databricks, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone can excel. We take great care to ensure that our hiring practices are inclusive and meet equal employment opportunity standards. Individuals looking for employment at Databricks are considered without regard to age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other protected characteristics.
Compliance
If access to export-controlled technology or source code is required for performance of job duties, it is within Employer's discretion whether to apply for a U.S. government license for such positions, and Employer may decline to proceed with an applicant on this basis alone.
About this role
Databricks is seeking a senior leader to build and manage its AI Forward Deployed Engineering team in India, a specialized group that works directly with enterprise customers to design and deploy generative AI applications at scale. You would oversee the full lifecycle of complex customer engagements—from scoping and delivery through to shaping strategic partnerships with C-suite stakeholders—while simultaneously influencing Databricks' product roadmap and go-to-market strategy based on real-world customer insights. This is a dual-accountability role reporting to the India FDE leader with a dotted line to the Asia-Pacific region.
The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in AI and machine learning with proven success building and scaling high-performing teams. You should have hands-on experience shipping production AI solutions in cloud environments, a track record of driving enterprise AI transformation initiatives, and the ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics across Sales, Product, and Engineering. A graduate degree in a quantitative field or equivalent practical experience is required; prior customer-facing leadership and familiarity with Databricks are strong advantages.
Beyond team leadership and account management, you will own revenue and utilization metrics, develop scalable delivery processes, and represent Databricks as a thought leader through speaking and published work. The role is based in Bengaluru or Mumbai with at least monthly travel expected. This position suits someone who thrives at the intersection of customer needs, product strategy, and technical leadership.
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Pay for this role
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