Datadog for Startups - Forward Deployed Engineering Lead
Core
Lead the Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) function to scale customer-embedded engineering operations, build reusable technical assets, and bridge field feedback to product strategy.
Role type
Senior IC Engineering Lead / Program Architect
Builds
FDE operating model, observability quickstarts, custom integrations, LLM/AI observability accelerators, CI/CD instrumentation, and cost optimization tools.
Domain
Cloud-native observability, AI/ML monitoring, SaaS platform engineering
Deliverable
production ML models | product features | infrastructure
Required skills
forward deployed engineering, solutions architecture, software engineering, engineering management, hiring and coaching, cross-functional collaboration, cloud-native stack expertise, observability platform experience, commercial acumen, stakeholder communication
Preferred skills
Datadog platform experience, Kubernetes, AWS/GCP/Azure, microservices, infrastructure-as-code, AI observability
Technologies
Kubernetes, AWS, GCP, Azure, microservices, CI/CD, infrastructure-as-code, Datadog
Responsibilities
Evolve and scale the FDE operating model including engagement intake, scoping, sprint delivery, and success metrics reporting; Build a catalog of FDE offerings and contribute to pricing/business models; Capture product gaps from deployments and partner with PM/Engineering to inform roadmaps; Hire, onboard, and develop FDEs while managing secondments and coaching on engagement; Identify mini-product opportunities and drive lightweight engineering sprints to create reusable assets; Partner with Sales, SE, and CS to manage account entry, QBRs, and complex deployment cycles.
Seniority
Senior, hands-on IC with management responsibilities
