Senior Manager, Forward Deployed Engineering (UAE)

About the role

You will be based in the UAE and lead a high‑performing team of Forward Deployed Engineers and AI Engineers. As Manager, Forward Deployed Engineering you will partner with Databricks' most strategic enterprise accounts to shape data migrations, next‑generation AI and GenAI systems, and drive sustained business value.

Key responsibilities

• Drive regional performance targets including billable utilisation, team growth and hiring while championing delivery excellence.
• Lead high‑stakes enterprise engagements, partnering with Account Executives and Field Engineering to deliver transformational programs.
• Champion delivery governance and operational rigor by establishing best practices for project oversight, risk management and quality standards.
• Act as executive escalation point for critical customer situations, protecting strategic relationships.
• Develop and retain exceptional technical talent through mentorship, structured career pathways and a culture of continuous growth.

Required profile

• People‑leadership experience managing high‑performing technical delivery teams or professional services organisations.
• Hands‑on experience as a technical solutions architect or data/AI engineer to credibly coach senior practitioners.
• Proven success leading large‑scale data platform migrations and AI/ML programmes in enterprise environments.
• Strong executive presence and stakeholder‑management skills, with experience influencing C‑suite audiences.
• Familiarity with Databricks, Apache Spark™, MLflow, Delta Lake or comparable modern data‑AI ecosystems.

Required skills

• Apache Spark
• MLflow
• Delta Lake
• Generative AI
• MLOps