> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/3561282-software-engineer-distributed-systems-applied-ai](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/3561282-software-engineer-distributed-systems-applied-ai). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Software Engineer - Distributed Systems (Applied AI) - **Company:** Datadog - **Location:** Grenoble, France - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, Datadog, Backend - **Published:** October 3, 2026 - **Apply:** https://careers.datadoghq.com/detail/8249202/?gh_jid=8249202 ## About the Role * You have significant backend engineering experience building and operating distributed systems in production. * You have hands-on experience with Kafka and Flink, including designing or improving data processing pipelines at scale. * You can reason through tradeoffs in throughput, latency, reliability, and maintainability, and turn those decisions into clear designs and working code. * You enjoy collaborating with data scientists and engineering partners to translate open-ended requirements into dependable systems. * You can take ownership of a technical area while sharing context, reviewing designs, and supporting the growth of teammates. * You’re curious about using AI tools to improve how you build software and able to evaluate their output critically. ## Description * Design, build, and operate the backend systems that apply signal finding models at scale for internal data science teams and external customers. * Own Kafka and Flink components end to end, from architecture and implementation through production reliability, performance, and evolution. * Partner with data scientists to turn models and signal requirements into robust production workflows. * Improve the scalability, observability, and operational resilience of data processing systems as usage grows. * Lead technical decisions in your domain, collaborate across engineering teams, and help other engineers grow through design reviews and mentorship. ## Related Videos - [From Messy Queries to Scalable Systems - How Data Engineering actually works](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100203-from-messy-queries-to-scalable-systems-how-data-engineering-actually-works) - [The Avengers Initiative (Practical Ethics for Software Engineers)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2070-the-avengers-initiative-practical-ethics-for-software-engineers) - [Developing the Backend with Stefan Lingler, CTO at Shpock](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100360-developing-the-backend-with-stefan-lingler-cto-at-shpock) - [The Memory Leak That Ate Our Cluster: A Postmortem](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2057-the-memory-leak-that-ate-our-cluster-a-postmortem) - [Modern Data Architectures need Software Engineering](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1030-modern-data-architectures-need-software-engineering) - [Official Opening of WeAreDevelopers World Congress 2026](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100000-official-opening-of-wearedevelopers-world-congress-2026) ## Related Articles - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Navigating the AI Shift](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/629-navigating-the-ai-shift) - [How Much FAANG Companies Actually Pay Software Engineers in 2025](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/230-how-much-faang-companies-actually-pay-software-engineers-in-2025) - [Dev Digest 120 - Apple and peers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/455-dev-digest-120-apple-and-peers) - [Are Software Engineer Wages Being Pushed Down? A Report on Tech Salaries](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/417-are-software-engineer-wages-being-pushed-down-a-report-on-tech-salaries)