Staff Software Engineer – K9 Security

Datadog

Staff Software Engineer leading the architecture and development of security capabilities at Datadog. Focusing on Linux instrumentation and runtime security technologies for cloud-native workloads.

Posted 6/15/2026full-timeRemote • 🇵🇹 PortugalLeadWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Linux

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the architecture and development of security agent capabilities that power runtime threat detection and workload protection across Datadog Security products.
Design and build reusable eBPF-based monitoring functionality for process, file, and network visibility within Linux environments.
Drive end-to-end delivery of new features, from technical strategy and design through implementation, testing, and rollout.
Establish and evolve testing methodologies that improve platform coverage, detection quality, reliability, and performance.
Partner with product, security, infrastructure, and engineering teams to deliver shared platform capabilities used across multiple Datadog products.
Provide technical leadership by influencing engineering direction, mentoring peers, and helping resolve complex cross-functional challenges.

Requirements

What you’ll need

You have significant experience building software in Linux environments, including knowledge of Linux internals, kernel APIs, or systems programming.
You have hands-on experience with eBPF, kernel-level instrumentation, driver development, networking systems, agent development, or related low-level technologies.
You've built and run systems where performance and reliability actually matter.
You have experience building and maintaining production software across diverse Linux distributions and kernel versions.
You are product-minded and customer-focused, balancing technical excellence with customer impact and usability.
You have demonstrated technical leadership, influencing architecture and execution across teams while communicating effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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
An inclusive company culture, ability to join our Community Guilds (Datadog employee resource groups)
Competitive global benefits
Giving programs

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

eBPFLinux internalskernel APIssystems programmingdriver developmentnetworking systemsagent developmentperformance optimizationreliability engineeringproduction software development

Soft Skills

technical leadershipmentoringcross-functional collaborationcommunicationcustomer focusproduct-mindednessinfluencing architectureproblem-solvingstrategic thinkingusability awareness