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As an Infrastructure & AI Platform Specialist Solutions Architect (SSA), you will serve as a trusted technical advisor, guiding enterprise customers through the architecture, cloud infrastructure, and AI deployment patterns of their Databricks Platform on Microsoft Azure. You combine deep technical expertise with strategic thinking to position Databricks as the foundation of your customers’ data and AI strategy.
This role can be remote.
The impact you will have
- Guide strategic customers through the full lifecycle of Databricks on Azure, including platform administration, from initial architectural design to production deployment
- Architect and scale compute/networking infrastructure designed specifically for AI workloads, enterprise LLM deployments, and high-performance GenAI applications built on Databricks
- Serve as a subject matter expert in core areas such as Microsoft Azure infrastructure, infrastructure-as-code (IaC), cloud networking, and identity management
- Drive technical wins in competitive scenarios by demonstrating Databricks’ differentiation through custom-built solutions
- Orchestrate cross-functional resources (DSAs, SAs, SSAs, Partners) to deliver comprehensive solutions for complex customer needs
- Influence product direction by providing structured feedback on customer requirements and competitive gaps
What We Look For
- 6+ years in solutions architecture, technical pre-sales, or a senior hands-on technical role
- Hands-on experience architecting underlying cloud infrastructure for AI/ML execution—including accelerator configuration (GPUs/TPUs), scalable model serving infrastructure, vectorized data retrieval, and balancing cloud performance vs. cost for large-scale AI workloads
- Advanced expertise across the following areas:
- Security & Identity: Azure security controls, platform/network/data security, encryption, vulnerability management, compliance, and identity protocols (Microsoft Entra ID / SCIM, OAuth, SAML, Federation)
- Networking & Deployments: Azure enterprise networking (VNet peering, ExpressRoute, Private Link), network routing, performance optimization, and large-scale deployment management
- Platform Administration: High availability, disaster recovery, cluster orchestration, observability (Azure Monitor, Log Analytics), and Azure cost management
- Infrastructure Automation (InfraOps): Hands-on automation using IaC tools (e.g., Terraform, Bicep, ARM) to build, maintain, and scale complex Azure environments
- Strong coding proficiency in Python and SQL — you must demonstrate live coding, debugging, and solution-building skills
- Deep expertise in distributed data systems architecture: designing scalable pipelines, streaming architectures, lakehouse patterns, and cloud-native data platforms
- Proficient on the Databricks Platform (or demonstrated ability to achieve proficiency rapidly) with a developing technical specialization in one area (e.g., real-time/streaming, ML/AI, data governance, migrations)
- Proven ability to lead architecture discussions with senior technical stakeholders — whiteboarding, design reviews, and trade-off analysis
- Track record of driving platform adoption and consumption growth within accounts
- Excellent communication skills — able to translate complex architectures into business value for both technical and executive audiences
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a quantitative discipline (or equivalent experience)
- Willingness to travel up to 30% as needed
Nice to Have
- Databricks certifications (Data Engineer, ML, Platform)
- Microsoft Azure certifications (Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Azure Data Engineer)
- Experience with competitive platforms (Snowflake, AWS native services, Azure Synapse) — understanding the landscape you’ll position against
- Background in a data/AI company or cloud provider
Interview Process
Recruiter Screen → Hiring Manager Screen → Design and Architecture Interview → Live Coding Assessment → Presentation → Reference Check
Pay Range Transparency
Databricks is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The pay range(s) for this role is listed below and represents the expected salary range for non-commissionable roles or on-target earnings for commissionable roles. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to job-related skills, depth of experience, relevant certifications and training, and specific work location. Based on the factors above, Databricks anticipates utilizing the full width of the range. The total compensation package for this position may also include eligibility for annual performance bonus, equity, and the benefits listed above. For more information regarding which range your location is in visit our page here.
Local Pay Range
$180,000—$247,500 USD
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.
