Staff Software Engineer (Corporate Development)

TL;DR

Staff Software Engineer (Corporate Development): Leading technical evaluation of startup acquisition opportunities in AI, cloud, and security with an accent on technical due diligence and architecture assessment. Focus on scoping proof-of-concepts, assessing technical risks, and defining post-acquisition integration paths for C-level leadership.

Location: San Francisco, California, USA

Salary: $192,000 — $240,000 USD

Company

Datadog is a monitoring and analytics platform for cloud-scale applications.

What you will do

• Lead technical due diligence for the acquisition pipeline from a product and architecture perspective.
• Identify strategic acquisition opportunities by engaging with entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.
• Set up proof-of-concept and sandbox environments to stress-test candidate products and validate claims.
• Partner with product and engineering teams to evaluate expansion opportunities and build internal consensus.
• Translate technical findings into strategic recommendations and integration paths for C-level leadership.
• Act as the primary technical contact for startups during the M&A deal process.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in product development, solution architecture, or engineering.
• BS/MS/PhD in a STEM field or equivalent professional experience.
• Versatility across cloud technologies including infrastructure, APM, security, analytics, and AI/ML.
• Must be based in San Francisco, California, USA.
• Strong communication skills for interacting with senior leadership and external partners.

Culture & Benefits

• High visibility with C-level leadership and direct exposure to company founders.
• Comprehensive healthcare, dental, and mental health benefits.
• 401(k) plan with company match and discounted employee stock purchase plan.
• Internal mentor and buddy program for cross-departmental onboarding.
• Inclusive workplace culture focused on continuous career development.