About CData Software, Inc.

CData is the data layer between AI and ROI—delivering the connectivity, context, and control that make enterprise AI more accurate. One platform for live access and data replication across 350+ sources, semantic intelligence that ensures context-aware responses, and built-in governance for every AI-to-data interaction. Powering AI and analytics workloads for Anthropic, Databricks, Microsoft, Google, Palantir, and more than 10,000 customers worldwide.

Behind that impact is a global team of passionate problem-solvers, engineers, and innovators who are redefining what’s possible in data connectivity.

Headquartered in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, CData has over 500 team members, with offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. We take pride not just in what we build, but in how we build it: together, with curiosity, creativity, and a shared drive to push boundaries.

About the role

We are seeking a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) to join our field organization. As an FDE, you will be deployed on the most technically innovative projects to minimize feedback loops and reduce the technical iteration time during pre-sales proof of technology and post-sales MVP implementations. Successful FDEs bring the expertise of our engineering team into the field, remove technical obstacles, and keep the project oriented toward the business impacts that are most important to our clients.

Our FDEs work consultatively with our customers to deploy technology and processes in pursuit of our customer’s business priorities. This will include building credibility through technical building (customizing or deploying a customer environment) and strategic vision setting (reference architectures and process guidance). FDEs get hands on with the latest technology in data integration but are also able to present how these innovations are relevant to business outcomes.

You will work in close collaboration with your peers in the Solutions Engineering, Product, Customer Success, Support and Sales teams. This position requires a deep understanding of the data integration space to be able to guide our strategic accounts on how CData should be positioned within their existing integration and data platform ecosystem. As a result, you will be communicating complex technical concepts to a variety of audiences and contexts. Your thought leadership and expertise will dramatically impact your success in the role.

What you'll do

Client Engagement & Advisory 

• Be the trusted technical advisor for enterprise clients, understanding their data integration challenges and business objectives 

• Lead architectural design sessions and workshops to define an optimal data architecture and situate CData within an ecosystem of existing / competing approaches 

• Provide strategic guidance on data integration best practices, governance, and scalability 

• Collaborate with client’s technical leadership to explain how technical recommendations and decisions correlate to business impacts and priorities 

• Present technical solutions and recommendations to C-level executives and technical stakeholders 

Solution Architecture & Design 

• Design comprehensive data integration architectures using CData's connectivity platform 

• Create detailed technical specifications, solution blueprints, and implementation roadmaps which are contextual to your customer current and future state 

• Evaluate client environments and recommend appropriate CData product configurations for the current and future state architecture 

• Collaborate with Solution Engineers to deliver compelling product presentations, demonstrations, proof-of-concepts, and MVP launches 

Technical Leadership 

• Stay current with emerging data integration technologies and industry trends 

• Lead complex technical discussions 

• Collaborate with client engineering teams to influence their strategic vision for data platform investments / product development and roadmap 

• Mentor junior team members and share architectural best practices across CData 

• Present at conferences on data integration and the role of data in AI investments 

Project Success & Growth 

• Ensure successful implementation (MVP) and subsequent end user adoption of CData solutions within client environments in collaboration with Customer Success Managers  

• Identify expansion opportunities and drive technical wins that lead to account growth 

• Identify areas of CData product development which will lead to account growth 

• Support enablement of the sales team on new technology and trends 

• Lead presentations at industry conferences / webinars regarding client successes 

Qualifications

• Technical Expertise 
• 10+ years of experience in enterprise software 

• Hands on technical experience with a combination of data integration, BI / analytics, ETL/ELT (medallion / lambda architecture), and data semantics / MDM 

• Deep understanding of data connectivity protocols (ODBC, JDBC, REST, OData, GraphQL, MCP) and their relative advantages / behaviors 

• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and hybrid deployments 

• Proficiency in SQL, data modeling (relational and NoSQL), and data services 

• Knowledge of integration patterns and middleware technologies 

Business & Communication Skills 

• Proven track record managing complex technical relationships with enterprise clients 

• Excellent presentation and communication skills, with ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences 

• Experience in consultative selling or technical advisory roles is a plus 

• Strong project management skills to manage multiple client engagements simultaneously 

Industry Knowledge 

• Understanding of data governance, compliance, and security by industry 

• Familiarity with business intelligence, analytics, and data warehousing concepts 

• Experience with popular data integration tools and platforms 

• Knowledge of industry standards and regulatory requirements (GDPR, HIPAA, SOX, etc.) 

• Familiarity with industry specific data sources can be an advantage 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master's degree in computer science, Information Systems, or related technical field 

• Experience with CData products or similar data connectivity solutions is a plus 

• Background in enterprise software sales or customer success 

• Industry certifications in cloud platforms or data management technologies 

Travel Requirements 

This role requires approximately 10% travel to client sites, industry events, and company meetings. 

Benefits & Perks / What you’ll Get: 

• As part of our comprehensive benefits offerings, we provide Medical, Dental, and Vision plans with company-paid insurance premiums 
• Health Saving Account offering with company contribution to help mitigate increasing health costs  
• Flexible Savings Account and Dependent Care FSA  
• Generous 20-day PTO and 11 paid holidays  
• 401k with 100% company match up to 6% of contribution 
• A remote-friendly, high-trust culture that empowers collaboration, celebrates curiosity, and encourages innovation 
• Work closely with your manager to define professional development and learning opportunities that match your career goals