Specialist Solutions Architect - Databricks Azure Infra/AI

Databricks is the Data and AI company. Over 20,000 organizations worldwide—including 70% of the Fortune 500—rely on the Databricks Data + AI Platform to build and scale data and AI applications, analytics, and autonomous agents.

As an Infrastructure & AI Platform Specialist Solutions Architect (SSA) focusing on Microsoft Azure, you will serve as a trusted technical advisor, guiding enterprise customers through the architecture, cloud infrastructure, and AI deployment patterns of their Azure Databricks platform. Combining deep technical expertise with strategic pre-sales execution, you will architect compute and networking environments for AI workloads, large language models (LLMs), and high-performance GenAI applications built on Databricks. You will drive technical wins in competitive sales cycles, orchestrate cross-functional field teams, and demonstrate live proficiency in Python, SQL, Bicep/Terraform, and Azure cloud networking.

Key Responsibilities

• Enterprise Customer Advisory: Guide strategic customers through the full lifecycle of Azure Databricks—from initial architectural design and platform administration to production rollout.
• AI Infrastructure Architecture: Architect and scale compute/networking infrastructure for AI/ML workloads, including GPU/TPU accelerator configuration, model serving platforms, vectorized retrieval, and cost vs. performance optimization.
• Azure Cloud Security & Identity: Architect enterprise identity and security controls using Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), SCIM provisioning, OAuth, SAML, single sign-on (SSO), and role-based access patterns.
• Enterprise Azure Networking: Design secure deployment patterns utilizing VNet Peering, Azure ExpressRoute, Azure Private Link, custom network routing, and high-availability network topologies.
• Infrastructure Automation (InfraOps): Automate and scale complex Azure Databricks environments using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform, Azure Bicep, or ARM templates.
• Competitive Technical Wins: Drive technical victories in competitive scenarios by demonstrating Databricks’ architectural differentiation against competitors (Snowflake, Azure Synapse, AWS native services).
• Cross-Functional Leadership & Product Feedback: Partner with Domain SAs, Account Executives, and Partner teams to deliver comprehensive solutions, while providing structured feedback to Databricks product management.

Requirements

Solutions Architecture & Azure Infrastructure Depth

• 6+ years of experience in solutions architecture, technical pre-sales, or senior hands-on technical architecture roles.
• AI/ML Cloud Infrastructure: Hands-on experience architecting cloud infrastructure for AI execution, including accelerator setup (GPUs/TPUs), scalable model serving, vector databases, and cost optimization for large-scale AI workloads.
• Advanced Azure Technical Mastery:
  • Security & Identity: Azure security controls, platform/network/data security, encryption, vulnerability management, Microsoft Entra ID, SCIM, OAuth, SAML, and Identity Federation.
  • Networking & Deployments: Azure enterprise networking (VNet peering, ExpressRoute, Private Link), routing, performance tuning, and global deployment management.
  • Platform Administration: High availability, disaster recovery, cluster orchestration, observability (Azure Monitor, Log Analytics), and Azure Cost Management.
  • Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Hands-on experience with Terraform, Bicep, or ARM templates.
• Coding Proficiency: Strong live coding, debugging, and solution-building skills in Python and SQL.
• Distributed Data Systems: Deep understanding of distributed data architectures, ETL/ELT pipelines, streaming data, and lakehouse patterns.
• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a quantitative discipline (or equivalent practical experience).
• Travel: Willingness to travel up to 30% for customer whiteboarding and account alignment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Recognized Databricks Certifications (Databricks Certified Data Engineer, ML Professional, Platform Administrator).
• Industry Certifications: Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert or Azure Data Engineer Associate.
• Competitive platform knowledge (Snowflake, Azure Synapse Analytics, AWS native data services).
• Direct background working within cloud providers or enterprise data/AI platforms.

Selection & Interview Process

1. Recruiter Screen
2. Hiring Manager Screen
3. Design & Architecture Interview
4. Live Coding Assessment (Python & SQL)
5. Technical Presentation
6. Reference Check

Total Rewards & Benefits

• Compensation & Equity: Pay range of $180,000 – $247,500 USD (On-Target Earnings) + annual performance bonus eligibility + Databricks equity grants.
• Healthcare & Wellbeing: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage for employees and eligible dependents.
• Financial & Retirement: 401(k) plan options, life/disability coverage, and employee wellness stipends.
• Time Off & Flexibility: Flexible PTO, paid company holidays, paid sick leave, and parental leave.