Forward Deployed Data Engineer, Databricks
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra | $130k to $200k inclusive of super, matched to level | Permanent
One of the most active Databricks practices in the Australian market is standing up a forward deployed engineering model, embedding data engineers directly with clients rather than sitting them back in a delivery centre. This team builds AI ready modern data platforms using the full Databricks Intelligence Platform, including Mosaic AI, Genie, Vector Search and Unity Catalog. Every pipeline and lakehouse build is designed with AI workloads (agents, RAG, model serving) as the end goal, not an afterthought. The practice is busy, the pipeline of work is strong, and there is genuine room to grow quickly at whatever level you come in at.
The role
Forward deployed means you sit inside or directly against a named client engagement, seeing first hand how ambiguous business problems get translated into working, AI ready Databricks solutions. Depending on your level, that could mean building under the guidance of senior engineers and steadily taking on more exposure, or owning the technical relationship yourself and leading the team executing against it. You'll build and maintain data pipelines using Delta Lake, Delta Live Tables and Spark based transformation, work hands on with Unity Catalog for governance and access control on live client data, and get direct exposure to AI native tooling as the practice's use of it grows. More senior candidates will lead design workshops and proofs of concept, architect enterprise scale pipelines, lead an embedded delivery team, and help expand the account.
What you'll bring
- Genuine, hands on Databricks experience. You've actually built something, not just completed a course
- Strong Python and/or SQL fundamentals
- Experience with Apache Spark and distributed data processing
- Familiarity with at least one cloud platform (AWS, Azure or GCP)
- Comfortable working with ambiguity and picking things up fast
Good to have:
- Curiosity about or exposure to AI/GenAI concepts (RAG, agents, LLMs)
- For senior candidates: a track record of owning client relationships directly, and experience leading or developing a team
What's on offer
- $130k to $200k inclusive of super, matched to level (genuine multi-level intake from 2 years through to 8+ years and people leadership). Hybrid work arrangement. Open across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Canberra. Permanent role.