Director, Talent Engine – OperateCo

Job Summary

The Director, Talent Engine leads the strategy, build-out, and operations of OperateCo's talent capability for Rackspace's Data & AI business: an internal engine that identifies, trains, certifies, and deploys technical operators, beginning with delivery on Palantir Foundry and AIP engagements. This leader builds the model alongside — not in competition with — Palantir's own Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) program, learning its selection bar, training cadence, and certification discipline, and applying it to a Rackspace-owned and -funded pipeline. This leader partners closely with HR, Delivery, Engineering, and Business Unit leaders to build scalable sourcing pathways, a strong training and certification bar, and a high-performing operator workforce, with a mandate to scale the model from Data & AI into a Rackspace-wide talent engine.

Job Responsibilities

Identify – Talent Sourcing & Selection

• Build and run three merit-based pathways into the program: a high-school / early-career fellowship track, a non-graduate track, and a graduate track — mirroring the breadth of Palantir's own sourcing model.
• Define and apply a consistent merit bar across all three pathways, screening for agency, maturity, and technical aptitude rather than pedigree or tenure.

Own sourcing volume, pipeline yield, and cost-per-hire targets; report on pathway mix and selection rates.

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Train – Academy & Curriculum

• Design and operate a Rackspace academy that takes new hires from platform foundations to production-ready skills in weeks, not years.
• Use OneOS and live “Customer Zero” engagements as the training ground, converting real production work into structured learning.

Partner with Palantir's training organization to align curriculum where possible, and build Rackspace-owned content where it is not.

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Certify – Standards & Quality Bar

* Establish certification as the quality bar for deployment — no