Staff Software Engineer - Linux/Kernel

📋 Description

• Own major tech areas of the zero-instrumentation APM system, from design to evolution.
• Define and drive kernel-level traffic capture, L7 decoding, and metric extraction with eBPF/Go.
• Lead initiatives addressing protocol parsing, TLS visibility, kernel compatibility, and scale.
• Set technical direction and standards for reliability, performance, and maintainability.
• Partner with Agent, Tracing, Security, Runtime, and Product teams on design and roadmap.

🎯 Requirements

• Deep backend or systems experience with Go and/or C/C++.
• Comfort operating near the Linux kernel; experience with eBPF, networking, observability.
• System- and org-scale thinking; tradeoffs between performance, correctness, velocity.
• Built, evolved, or operated large-scale production systems in complex environments.
• Demonstrate technical leadership; influence architecture and unblock teams.
• Strong bias for performance, efficiency, and reliability in constrained contexts.

🎁 Benefits

• New hire stock equity (RSUs) and employee stock purchase plan (ESPP).
• Continuous professional development, product training, and career pathing.
• Intradepartmental mentor and buddy program for in-house networking.
• Inclusive culture; join our Community Guilds (Datadog employee groups).
• Access to Inclusion Talks and internal panel discussions.
• Free, global mental health benefits for employees and dependents age 6+.