Solutions Architect - Adtech
Databricks · United States
What this role involves
Leads technical strategy for Databricks customers across data and AI workloads, owning architecture design, platform adoption, and competitive positioning. Works with customer architects and engineering leaders on production deployments, whiteboarding sessions, and trade-off analysis. Combines hands-on technical depth (Python, SQL, distributed systems) with advisory responsibilities, developing specialization in a domain like streaming or ML/AI.
Role DNA
45% hands-on building55% customer-facing
An even mix of hands-on building and customer-facing work. Derived from how this posting weighs coding against customer work, the same measure behind the listing filters.
How this pays
This posting doesn’t publish pay. For comparison, here is what employers advertise for Senior Solutions Architect roles in United States.
Market median$212K
Middle half$181K–$229K
From 13 published salary ranges, one per employer, annualized in US dollars. Full Solutions Architect salary data.
Skills & stack
PythonSQLSolutions architectureDistributed data systemsCloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)Technical communicationArchitecture designLakehouse patternsDatabricksPythonSQLAWSAzureGCPStreaming architecturesData pipelines
Role description
FEQ427R799
The Role
As a Solutions Architect, you will lead the technical strategy for your customers — owning architecture discussions, driving platform adoption, and serving as a trusted advisor to customer technical leads and architects. You combine deep technical expertise with strategic thinking to position Databricks as the foundation of your customers’ data and AI strategy. You are developing a technical specialization (archetype) and are recognized within your team for depth in a specific domain.
The Impact You Will Have
Own the end-to-end technical strategy for your accounts, from initial discovery through production deployment and consumption growth
Lead complex architecture discussions — designing scalable, production-grade solutions spanning data engineering, ML/AI, and real-time analytics
Serve as a trusted technical advisor to customer architects, engineering leads, and Directors
Drive technical wins in competitive scenarios by demonstrating Databricks’ differentiation through custom-built solutions
Develop and declare an emerging technical specialization (archetype) — becoming a go-to resource for your team in that domain
Orchestrate cross-functional resources (DSAs, 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, data engineering, technical pre-sales, or a senior hands-on technical role
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
Experience with production deployments on public cloud (AWS, Azure, or GCP), including infrastructure, security, and governance considerations
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)
Nice to Have:
Databricks certifications (Data Engineer, ML, Platform)
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
Industry domain expertise (Financial Services, Healthcare, Retail, Media, etc.)
Interview Process: Recruiter Screen → Hiring Manager Screen → Design and Architecture Interview → Live Coding Assessment → Build, Demo, Pitch! Presentation → Reference Check
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.
Similar roles
Channel Solutions Engineer
NewVerkada · Denver, CO United States
Channel Solutions Engineer
NewVerkada · Seattle, WA United States
Channel Solutions Engineer
NewVerkada · Chicago, IL United States