Lead Engineer

Datum’s mission is to help 1k clouds thrive in the AI era by unlocking internet superpowers for every builder . We’re working in the open to bring the foundational capabilities that all the big guys use (private networking, peering, direct interconnection, etc) into the hands of builders and modern “alt clouds” — no network team required. One of Datum’s core values is to be connectors: of applications, services, networks, and people. As such, this role (just like all roles at Datum) will work directly with users, customers, partners, and the broader community. Another key value is to be open by default, from how we license our code (AGPLv3) to how we communicate, engage with, and document our work. We believe this engenders trust from our customers and community, but also because open is the best way to build. It's more secure, more operable, and even more enjoyable. Still interested? Read on! About this role Datum’s most important core value is to be connectors – of people, businesses, apps, and networks. That’s why we’re on a mission to help the next 1k thrive in the AI era with an ecosystem-led network cloud. But what good is global connected infrastructure if it’s clunky and built for the last wave? We know that ergonomic APIs require a meticulous appreciation of usability, documentation, integration, and automation (as well as a hunch about what is around the corner). That’s why we’re looking for the right person to lead all things “developers” at Datum, helping us create the ideal experience for the next wave of builders. What you’ll do API and Developer Experience Own the developer experience for our platform, from the browser to the command line to the IDE Use your high standard of taste and judgment for when to lean in, and when to break the mold Keep pace for our team by managing our releases, working across the organization to balance priorities with capacity Lead our investments in documentation, and be an active advocate and communicator Partner to help us build trust with users and customers, from uptime to security Work with users, “alt cloud” customers, and partners to maximize dopamine and minimize friction Build for developers, in the open Approach problems through the lens of Datum APIs Work in the open and drive community engagement Lean into open source - we make money through our network, not our software Scale yourself and the team through effective automation Play an active role in the community, from meetups and speaking to blog posts and demos Demonstrate engineering leadership Drive your roadmap by modeling Datum’s values every day Distill customer needs into clear problem statements that align priorities Use maximum creativity to solve hard problems, balancing the tradeoffs Shepherd the team through timely decision-making Improve efficiency and processes along the way Who you are Background Expertise: You regularly use public and alt clouds and have strong opinions about the experience Browser & UX : You’ve written code for the browser and are conversant with TypeScript and probably React, Angular, or similar frameworks. You also know how to get around a Unix shell and have opinions about that. Infrastructure : You’re an operator at heart. You don’t tolerate manual deployments or slow builds. No problem is off the table, and you can implement the right glue no matter the language. Orchestration & IaC : You have enough familiarity with Kubernetes or other container orchestration systems to work seamlessly with our control and data planes. AI Forward : You’re comfortable with next-gen tools and ways of working, from Cursor to Claude Open source : You have a track record of using, building, and contributing to open source Non-Negotiables Logistics: Overlap with NYC business hours and ability to travel to NYC and elsewhere High EQ : You read rooms, understand people, and navigate complexity with grace Hunger : You're driven by impact and energized by building something meaningful Humility: You check your ego, give credit freely, and focus on collective success Core Attributes Thrive in an async environment Simplify technical complexity through writing, demos, and speaking Relationship builder who creates and maintains genuine, valuable connections Genuinely passionate about digital infrastructure and the future of the industry Able to toggle between 30,000-foot vision and ground-level execution Comfortable with ambiguity and capable of creating structure where none exists What success looks like For Datum Rock-solid APIs, squeaky clean docs, and fast “time to dopamine” Intuitive interfaces for developers that help them unlock internet superpowers Traction with key opportunities and partnerships Increased cohesion across the organization For You Growing Datum into a household name among developers Providing global-scale, cross-provider, API-driven connectivity Keep the Internet open for the generation to come Platform to demonstrate strategic and operational leadership We believe in openness, clarity, and collaboration. To learn more about how Datum aims to operate, please review our public handbook .