Lead AI Forward Deployed Engineer – Databricks

Lead AI Forward Deployed Engineer – DatabricksON Data Staffing is partnering with a leading Data & AI consultancy to recruit an experienced Lead AI Forward Deployed Engineer – Databricks to join their growing consulting practice.This is a senior, highly client-facing engineering role focused on designing, building, and deploying AI-native solutions on Databricks.You'll work directly with enterprise clients to understand complex business problems, assess their data and AI architecture, define the right technical approach, and build production-grade AI solutions that create measurable business impact.This role combines AI Engineering, Data Engineering, Solution Architecture, and hands-on development, so we're looking for someone who can move comfortably from client discovery and architecture through to building and deploying the solution.What You'll Be DoingWork directly with business and technical stakeholders to identify high-value AI and Data use casesDesign, build, and deploy production-grade AI solutions on DatabricksLead client discovery sessions covering business workflows, data availability, AI opportunities, platform maturity, integrations, and success criteriaArchitect AI-native data platforms supporting agentic workflows, RAG, semantic analytics, model deployment, retrieval systems, and operational AI applicationsBuild solutions using Mosaic AI, Databricks Agents, Model Serving, Vector Search, MLflow, Unity Catalog, Databricks Apps, Genie, and LakebaseDevelop AI agents, RAG applications, semantic layers, data products, and decision-support applicationsPartner with AI Engineering, Data Engineering, Analytics, Security, and Governance teams to deliver secure and scalable AI solutionsBuild prototypes, AI demos, technical reference architectures, and reusable acceleratorsTake AI solutions from proof of concept through to productionSupport technical pre-sales and help shape AI and Databricks-led client opportunitiesContribute to technical thought leadership and the continued development of the wider AI & Databricks practiceWhat We're Looking ForWe're looking for an experienced AI Engineer / Forward Deployed Engineer who combines strong Databricks expertise with a builder's mindset and excellent client-facing skills.You'll ideally have:Strong experience across AI Engineering, ML Engineering, Data Engineering, Solution Architecture, or Software EngineeringHands-on experience building and deploying AI/ML solutions on DatabricksStrong Python and SQL skillsExperience with Mosaic AI, MLflow, model deployment, Databricks Workflows, and Unity CatalogExperience with modern enterprise AI patterns including RAG, AI Agents, model serving, vector search, semantic layers, and evaluation frameworksExperience translating ambiguous business problems into technical AI solutionsStrong communication skills with the ability to engage executives, architects, engineers, and business stakeholdersThe ability to move comfortably between strategy, architecture, and hands-on AI engineeringExperience taking AI solutions from prototype through to productionAI & Databricks ExperienceExperience across the following would be highly desirable:Generative AI and RAGAI Agents and agentic workflowsMosaic AIDatabricks AgentsModel ServingVector SearchMLflowDatabricks AppsGenieLakebaseFeature pipelines and feature storesSemantic layers and analyticsAI evaluation, monitoring, and governanceProduction ML and AI deployment patternsIdeal BackgroundPrevious experience within Consulting, Professional Services, Forward Deployed Engineering, AI Engineering, Solution Architecture, or technical client deliveryStrong hands-on Databricks and AI/ML delivery experienceDatabricks certifications are highly desirableExperience with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud PlatformExperience designing and deploying production GenAI, ML, or agentic AI systemsComfortable creating architecture diagrams, technical roadmaps, prototypes, demos, and reusable AI acceleratorsStrong understanding of building secure, governed, scalable, production-ready AI systemsPassion for helping enterprise organisations use Databricks as the foundation for enterprise AI at scale