Application Development Manager

About the Role We are expanding our App Dev Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) practice in India to build high-impact, custom data-driven applications, platforms, and integrations (often centered around Databricks, Lakehouse architectures, modern full-stack frameworks, and enterprise data solutions). We are seeking a technical, people-first Manager, App Dev (FDE) to lead and grow our India-based engineering team. Reporting directly to global engineering leadership, you will be responsible for building, mentoring, and guiding a team of high-performing Forward Deployed Engineers and Full-Stack Application Developers. You will bridge the gap between technical execution, client delivery, operational excellence, and team development. Key Responsibilities 1. Technical & Delivery Leadership Architectural Oversight: Provide technical leadership and guidance across full-stack application development, data integration, and cloud/Databricks-native app architectures. Delivery Excellence: Oversee forward-deployed project execution, ensuring high-quality standards, clean code, reliable delivery cadence, and robust testing across customer engagements. Hands-on / Hands-off Balance: Serve as an escalation point for technical roadblocks; jump in to review design docs, code, and architecture blueprints when necessary. 2. People Management & Team Building Hiring & Scaling: Partner closely with Talent Acquisition and global App Dev leadership to recruit, interview, and onboard top-tier App Dev FDEs in India. Career Growth & Mentorship: Drive regular 1:1s, technical career pathing, performance evaluations, and skill growth (especially around Databricks app development, full-stack technologies, and client-facing engineering skills). Culture & Retention: Foster a high-trust, collaborative, and innovation-driven culture within the India engineering hub. 3. Engagement & Cross-Functional Collaboration Leadership Alignment: Providing transparent reporting on team capacity, delivery metrics, resource allocation, and team health. Client & Forward-Deployed Dynamics: Ensure engineers excel in customer-facing contexts—balancing fast-paced client requirements with long-term software engineering best practices. Stakeholder Management: Work closely with Product Management, Delivery Leads, Solution Architects, and TA to align hiring roadmaps with business demand. Required Qualifications & Background Experience: 5+ years of software engineering experience in full-stack application development. 1+ year in a formal engineering management, tech lead manager, or team lead role managing App Dev / FDE teams. Technical Stack Knowledge: Strong foundation in full-stack application development (e.g., Python, Node.js, React, TypeScript, Java/Go, GraphQL/REST APIs, etc.). Hands-on familiarity with cloud ecosystem architectures (AWS, Azure, GCP) and enterprise app integration. Strong familiarity with data platforms—specifically Databricks (Databricks Apps, SDK, Unity Catalog, PySpark, DBX APIs) or cloud data warehouses. Client/FDE Experience: Experience working in a Forward Deployed, Professional Services, or Client Consulting model where engineers directly interact with enterprise clients/stakeholders. Communication & Leadership: Exceptional English communication, strong consulting mindset, high organizational skills, and stakeholder management skills; proven capability to work across global time zones (Americas/India collaboration). Nice to Have Prior experience scaling an engineering center or practice from the ground up in India. Databricks certifications (e.g., Databricks Certified Machine Learning / Data Engineer or equivalent cloud certifications).