Compensation Manager

Databricks is seeking a strategic, technical Compensation Lead to partner directly with R&D founders and Engineering VP leadership. In this role, you will design first-principles equity and cash strategies to attract, retain, and motivate top systems, platform, and AI engineers. Reporting to the Director of Compensation, you will bridge deep quantitative analysis with high-stakes executive advisory, ensuring our compensation philosophy reinforces an owner mindset across core technology and product teams.

• R&D Solutioning & Strategic Advisory (40%): Co-create custom incentive models, specialized technical compensation structures, and high-impact retention frameworks tailored to hyper-competitive R&D skill sets.
• Lifecycle Compensation Management (30%): Own end-to-end execution of merit, refresh equity, and promotion cycles across global engineering cohorts, serving as primary advisor for strategic executive hires and key retention scenarios. Build and leverage automation and AI solutions to efficiently support complex cases.
• Enterprise Framework Development (30%): Scale Databricks' global compensation structure, refining market pricing models, pay-for-performance mechanics, and equity strategies.

• R&D Compensation Mastery: Deep understanding of the competitive landscape for core engineering, infrastructure, and AI/ML talent—including aggressive startup equity structures, tech-sector refresh strategies, and specialized software compensation models.
• First-Principles Thinking: Ability to look beyond standard survey data to build custom, business-aligned compensation solutions from scratch.
• Advanced Analytics: Mastery of Excel/Google Sheets required. Hands-on experience with SQL, Python, Tableau, or AI-driven analytics tools is a strong plus.
• Trusted Advisory: Confidence and credibility to partner directly with technical founders and executive leadership on high-stakes, sensitive pay decisions, M&A integrations, and critical offers.
• Scalable Operations: Experience building scalable compensation solutions and operationalizing comp programs across complex systems without sacrificing speed or precision.

Databricks is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The pay range for this role is listed below and represents the expected salary range for non-commissionable roles. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors unique to each candidate, including job-related skills, depth of experience, relevant certifications and training, and specific work location. The total compensation package may also include eligibility for annual performance bonus, equity, and the benefits listed above.

Zone 1 Pay Range: $217,800—$299,550 USD

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.

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.

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.

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.