Staff Software Engineer - Corporate Development

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About the role

We are looking for a talented engineer to lead evaluation of startup acquisition opportunities in the AI, cloud and security space. You will drive product evaluations, prepare and manage technical architecture discussions with target groups in Product and Engineering and provide roadmap suggestions for M&A and investments for Datadog. You will be a key partner to Datadog’s C-level leadership and highly visible at the most senior levels of Datadog. The role is reporting into the Senior Director of Product Strategy and falls within the Product organization. We are looking for an innovative and strategic thinker who is passionate about the latest tech being developed by startups in the cloud, AI and security space. The ideal candidate enjoys researching and evaluating new technologies, works effectively with cross-functional teams, and communicates opinions concisely to our leadership team. Broad understanding of relevant Cloud Technologies and deep understanding of the full coverage of Datadogs current offerings is necessary. The Corporate Development team is small and values authentic, strong-willed individuals who think creatively and proactively. This role leads technical due diligence from a product and architecture perspective across our acquisition pipeline. You'll scope and stand up proof-of-concept and sandbox environments to stress-test candidate products, then give an honest, unvarnished view of their quality and depth - the kind of assessment that holds up regardless of deal momentum. You'll assess technical architecture, flag the risks and open questions that matter most early, and turn that into a clear post-acquisition integration path. Working closely with engineering, you'll keep the evaluation focused on what's actually decision-relevant, then translate the findings into strategic recommendations for leadership and help carry the integration through by partnering with the right people on the other side. What You’ll Do: • Identify compelling opportunities that support Datadog’s strategic priorities through primary engagement with senior business leaders, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists • Partner with product teams to comprehensively assess expansion opportunities and build internal and external consensus • Serve as a subject matter expert on valuation and integration • Lead all pre-transaction tech-diligence efforts • Bring transactions over the finish line • Create or find suitable test-loads if needed, and set up trial environments that can help to test claims and identify values of the startups we evaluate. • Interact with strategic leadership on a regular basis to provide results and opinions on active deals and opportunities. • Represent Product and Engineering in initial Product calls, help identify potential targets and find product fit. • Act as main contact point for startups and cross-functional groups within Datadog, including Product, Engineering, Security in all questions related to integration, value (what we get from the acquisition and what we should build) and architecture of active M&A deals Who You Are: • Experienced in product development, solution architecture or engineering. • You have a BS /MS/PhD in a STEM field or equivalent experience. • An excellent communicator • Versatile in a wide range of cloud technologies relevant to the full suite of Datadog products - including infrastructure, APM , security, analytics and AI/ML • Able to focus on high priority testing goals based on value and risk assessment. • Able to prioritize multiple stakeholders and projects with limited resources • A self-starter who excels in technically demanding, fast-paced, and fluid environments • Able to demonstrate creative and analytical thinking • Able to collect feedback from multiple p

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