Director, Data Engineering

Role Description

Practice Directors are expected to be visionary leaders and credible practitioners, capable of driving success across Palantir-centric engagements. You will define how we deliver ontology-driven, operational solutions to clients, lead forward-deployed pods embedded directly with customers, and help build the commercial engine — pipeline, partnership, and finances behind the practice.

As an experienced Practice Director with a proven ability to manage and execute professional services engagements, you will lead initiatives spanning platform implementation, operational AI, and rapid application development on Palantir. Successful candidates will demonstrate strategic thinking, align complex technical objectives with business goals, and deliver measurable outcomes in high-stakes, mission-critical environments. You will inspire and mobilize resources, provide technical guidance, and cultivate our strategic relationship and joint go-to-market with Palantir.

As a director, you will lead a team of Forward Deployed Engineers, Forward Deployed Strategists, Software Engineers, and Machine Learning Engineers mentoring and guiding their development. Beyond team leadership, you will champion practice goals, ensure high-quality and efficient delivery, support sales efforts, shape project opportunities, and manage operational priorities such as resource allocation, hiring, and Palantir certification/enablement. Strong communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to inspire trust and innovation are essential to succeeding in this role.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of leadership, with a strong track record of 10+ years in consulting/professional services.
• Proven experience managing a business line and P&L, ideally including the launch or scaling of a new practice or platform-centric service line.
• Demonstrated experience delivering client engagements on Foundry, Gotham, and/or AIP — including ontology design, pipeline and application development, and operational deployment.
• Familiarity with embedded, pod-based delivery — working side-by-side with client teams to rapidly prototype and ship production solutions.
• Skilled in managing senior-level teams — including Forward Deployed Engineers, Forward Deployed Strategists, and Software Engineers.
• Strong ability to act as a trusted advisor to clients and stakeholders, including government, defense, or regulated commercial clients.
• Proven experience in financial management and successfully operating a business.
• Proficiency in leading transformation projects involving change management, organizational design, process mapping, and platform implementation.
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to establish trusted relationships with C-level executives and mission owners.
• Experience leading strategic pursuits for key accounts and capability-focused deals.
• Prior experience building or scaling a practice around a strategic software partner is strongly preferred.
• Ability to shape and lead delivery pods from technical design through go-live.

Responsibilities

• Practice Leadership and Growth
  • Spearhead the growth of the Palantir practice by developing strategies for business development, talent management, and delivery.
  • Define and communicate a compelling vision for the practice, aligned to the Palantir partnership roadmap and broader organizational goals.
  • Own practice growth end-to-end — driving sales, recruiting talent, managing client accounts, overseeing engagements, and ensuring operational excellence.
• Team and Individual Development
  • Build a team of high-performing leaders and practitioners by mentoring individuals to grow their skills and pursue Palantir certifications.
  • Create a collaborative, inclusive culture of trust and continuous learning.
  • Provide thought leadership on the Palantir platform and delivery model.
• Engagement Management
  • Manage engagement risk and economics — planning, budgeting, and monitoring accounts receivable.
  • Maintain high client satisfaction by delivering impactful, production-grade solutions.
  • Oversee execution across the Palantir portfolio, ensuring alignment with the practice's quality and delivery standards.
• Business Development
  • Identify growth opportunities by analyzing market trends, client needs, and competitive dynamics.
  • Cultivate strong relationships with C-suite executives and mission owners.
• Technical and Strategic Expertise
  • Guide the design of ontologies, pipelines, and applications on the Palantir platform.
  • Lead exploration of emerging Palantir capabilities and adjacent technologies.
  • Develop and share thought leadership — whitepapers, talks, workshops.
• Collaboration and Delivery
  • Work directly with clients to understand mission needs and define delivery roadmaps.
  • Partner with internal teams, Palantir, and clients to deliver cohesive solutions.
  • Support sales teams through the pre-sales process with technical insight.
• Team and Community Engagement
  • Organize and participate in knowledge-sharing, technical meetups, and workshops.
  • Capture and share learnings from engagements to build a collective repository of practice insight.

Travel Requirements

• Demonstrate a willingness to travel up to 30% during peak periods, supporting client engagements, business development, and team initiatives as needed.

Compensation

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several geographic markets. The compensation range for this position ranges from $185,709.00/year in our lowest geographic market up to $272,373.20/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. The compensation package may also include incentive compensation opportunities in the form of annual bonus or incentives, equity awards and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).