Director, Field Engineering (Specialist)

Director of Field Engineering (Specialists), Retail

Location - Remote, US

Requisition FEQ127R192

Databricks is seeking a dynamic and experienced leader for the role of Director of Field Engineering (Specialist SA), Retail. This position will lead teams of deeply technical pre-sales Specialists Solutions Architects and first-line managers focused on large enterprise accounts in the Retail vertical. The Specialist SA is a member of the pre-sales account team with deep specialization in Data Engineering, ML/GenAI, Data Warehousing, or Infrastructure. The Director will play a pivotal role in driving Databricks’ mission to empower our customers with secure, AI-driven data solutions that accelerate customer outcomes and modernize enterprise-scale operations. This role will report to the Tech GM of Field Engineering, Retail.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of pre-sales Solutions Architects and first-line managers, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.
  
  
• Partner with sales organizations to develop and execute strategic plans that drive platform adoption, customer satisfaction, and mission success across the entire Retail vertical.
  
  
• Build and maintain trust-based relationships with key stakeholders, understanding customer-specific landscapes, compliance requirements, and priorities.
  
  
• Promote a solution and value-based selling approach tailored to the unique needs of these customers, emphasizing secure, AI-driven data solutions.
  
  
• Drive transformational success by supporting large, complex consumption driven sales cycles and ensuring Solutions Architects deliver measurable value.
  
  
• Champion Databricks’ values of customer obsession, respect, teamwork, and diversity within Databrick's field engineering organization.
  
  
• Report on market trends and the forces shaping the strategic direction of accounts, providing actionable insights to Databricks’ leadership.
  
  
• Enhance Databricks’ brand in this sector by collaborating with go-to-market, sales, and partner teams, and representing Databricks at industry events and with partners.
  
  

Requirements

• 8-10 years of experience as a Senior Manager or Director level  (manager of managers with teams of 20+) in a pre-sales or technical solutions architecture facing role.
  
  
• Demonstrated success in enterprise software pre-sales leadership, with experience with consumption-sales motions in the Retail, Consumer Products, or Travel & Hospitality market.
  
  
• Proven ability to drive large transactions and high-growth enterprise customers, with a track record of delivering customer value and transformational outcomes.
  
  
• Experience building and leading cross-functional teams (Sales, Engineering, Product Management) in complex, strategic accounts.
  
  
• Passion for data-driven decision-making, AI, and cloud software models, with the ability to communicate complex, business value-focused solutions to stakeholders.
  
  
• Strong process orientation, with experience instituting best practices for technical field teams to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
  
  
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or equivalent experience.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with or within Retail, Consumer Products, or Travel & Hospitality industry a plus.
  
  
• Familiarity with Databricks’ Data Intelligence Platform, Unity Catalog, and Lakehouse architecture.
  
  
• Knowledge of data governance, cybersecurity, and AI/ML adoption trends.