Cuesta Partners

• Design and architect scalable Databricks-based solutions for enterprise clients. • Lead end-to-end cloud data platform implementations across AWS and/or Azure. • Design and build production pipelines using Databricks Workflows and Spark Declarative Pipelines. • Design scalable ETL/ELT pipelines using Spark, PySpark, and Databricks Workflows. • Partner directly with client stakeholders to understand business needs and translate them into technical solutions. • Provide technical leadership and guidance to data engineering teams. • Implement CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure-as-code for Databricks resources. • Drive collaborative development through Git workflows, pull requests, and code reviews. • Collaborate cross-functionally with analytics, engineering, and business teams. • Serve as the primary technical point of contact for clients, including C-level executives.

• Design the business data model based on the discovered business processes and data analysis • Set the standard for AI-augmented development practices — ensuring projects are structured and tooled in ways that allow coding agents to operate effectively, and coaching the team to work the same way. • Translate business requirements into technical design specifications, including data streams, integrations, transformations, databases, and data warehouses. • Develop work estimates for Data Warehouse & Data Lake deliverables • Coach and mentor a team of a few dozen data engineers, analysts and ML Engineers on data architecture and modeling best practices • Define the data architecture framework, standards, and principles, including modeling, metadata, security, reference data such as product codes and client categories, and master data such as clients, vendors, materials, and employees • Define reference architecture, which is a pattern others can follow to create and improve data systems • Define data flows, i.e., which parts of the organization generate data, which require data to function, how data flows are managed, and how data changes in transition • Collaborate and coordinate with team members, clients and external SMEs

• Lead engagements end-to-end, from scoping through delivery, ensuring high-quality outcomes and client impact • Serve as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, including C-level executives • Translate ambiguous business challenges into clear strategies, actionable plans, and measurable results • Drive alignment across stakeholders and facilitate key trade-off decisions • Lead and mentor cross-functional teams, balancing hands-on contribution with strategic oversight • Provide coaching on problem structuring, storytelling, and client communication • Ensure teams are operating effectively, prioritizing the right work, and meeting deadlines • Identify critical business and technology gaps and design practical, scalable solutions • Synthesize complex, diverse inputs into clear insights and executive-ready deliverables • Develop compelling recommendations and business cases that drive decision-making • Lead proposals, scoping, and business development efforts • Build lasting client relationships and identify follow-on opportunities • Capture and scale intellectual property from engagements (frameworks, thought leadership, training content)

Role Description We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Technology Due Diligence & Private Equity Practice Principal to lead and drive high-impact engagements in the technology and M&A advisory space. This role is designed for a dynamic professional with a strong background in technology due diligence, mergers and acquisitions, and private equity consulting. The ideal candidate will have experience managing buy-side and sell-side due diligence processes, providing critical insights into technology assets, IT systems, cybersecurity, and overall digital value creation for our private equity clients. This position requires deep expertise in evaluating technology risks and opportunities, combined with strong leadership skills and a client-centric mindset. Key Responsibilities - Lead Technology Due Diligence: Manage and execute comprehensive technology due diligence assessments for M&A transactions, evaluating IT systems, software architecture, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, data management, and overall scalability for private equity and corporate clients. Oversee day-to-day work of the Cuesta deal team to ensure high-quality and timely client deliverables. - Client Advisory: Serve as the primary point of contact for private equity clients and deal teams, delivering strategic recommendations based on detailed technical assessments. Provide insights into technology risks and opportunities to support informed investment decisions. - Private Equity Support: Work closely with private equity partners to evaluate technology's role in post-transaction integration, value creation, and growth strategies, ensuring technology assets align with overall investment objectives. - Technology Risk Management: Identify potential risks, including cybersecurity vulnerabilities, technical debt, software scalability issues, and integration challenges, and propose actionable mitigation strategies for clients. - Industry Expertise: Stay up to date on the latest trends and advancements in enterprise technology, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and cloud computing to deliver relevant and insightful guidance to clients. - Business Development: Support business development initiatives by contributing to thought leadership, engaging in client pitches, and helping expand the firm’s footprint in the technology due diligence and M&A advisory space. - Practice Development: Continually identify and implement improvements to the delivery process and artifacts. Identify ways to make delivery of the service more efficient. Ideate on new, incremental add-on offerings and design how to take them to market. - Mentorship and Team Development: Coach and mentor junior team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and excellence in project execution. Qualifications - Experience: 7+ years of experience in technology due diligence, M&A advisory, private equity consulting, or related roles, with a strong focus on technology evaluations for transactions. - Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of enterprise IT systems, software architecture, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital transformation strategies, particularly in the context of M&A. - Critical Thinking: Ability to quickly analyze complex, multi-faceted technology topics and distill the meaning and implications for non-technical audiences. - Communications: Excellent written and verbal communications skills and proven ability to interact with senior level private equity stakeholders. - Experience with the following Technology Paradigms Strongly Preferred: - Infrastructure: On-Premises/Co-location & Cloud - Custom Software: Prior background in an organization that develops custom software solutions. Familiarity with a variety of code platforms, frameworks, and architecture. - Cybersecurity: Experience implementing and/or advising on cybersecurity tools and solutions. - Data: Familiarity with data warehouse paradigms and technologies. - M&A Expertise: Proven track record of conducting buy-side and sell-side technology due diligence, including identifying technology risks, assessing scalability, and developing actionable recommendations to improve deal outcomes. - Client-focused: Excellent client relationship management skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts in a clear and actionable manner. - Education: Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred). Preferred Qualifications - Experience in private equity transactions, particularly with middle-market or large-cap funds. - Industry certifications in IT systems, cybersecurity, or cloud platforms (e.g., CISSP, AWS Solutions Architect). - Exposure to technology transformation initiatives, including cloud migrations, ERP implementations, or advanced data analytics. Salary & Benefits - Competitive salary commensurate with experience. - Performance-based bonus structure. - Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities. - Chicago or New York metros preferred, Central and Eastern time zones strongly preferred.

• Design the business data model based on the discovered business processes and data analysis • Set the standard for AI-augmented development practices • Translate business requirements into technical design specifications • Develop work estimates for Data Warehouse & Data Lake deliverables • Coach and mentor a team of a few dozen data engineers, analysts and ML Engineers • Define the data architecture framework, standards, and principles • Define reference architecture, which is a pattern others can follow • Define data flows, including management and transitions • Collaborate and coordinate with team members, clients and external SMEs

• Lead end-to-end technology due diligence engagements across private equity transactions. • Evaluate IT systems, software architecture, cloud infrastructure, data environments, cybersecurity, packaged software, and technical talent. • Identify and assess scalability issues, technical debt, architectural risks, and operational deficiencies. • Translate complex technical findings into clear business implications for investors and executives. • Advise deal teams on risk mitigation, value creation opportunities, and post-transaction integration strategies. • Mentor and guide consultants to ensure high-quality delivery across multiple concurrent engagements. • Partner with leadership to develop new service offerings and improve delivery methodologies.

• Design cloud-native AI and data solution architectures, including reference patterns, data flows, AI/ML workflows, and LLM orchestration that balance scalability, security, cost, and speed to value. • Translate AI and data architectures into clear diagrams, executive-ready narratives, visuals, and roadmaps for technical and non-technical stakeholders. • Advise clients on AI strategy, build-vs-buy decisions, governance, and ethical considerations. • Integrate and orchestrate data across multiple platforms, including cloud data warehouses and lakes (e.g., Snowflake, BigQuery, Databricks) and external APIs • Collaborate with ML Engineers and Data Engineers to validate architectural alignment and integration feasibility. • Conduct architecture reviews and risk assessments; identify and execute course corrections as needed. • Architect AI solutions that leverage LLMs and RAG patterns to deliver interpretable insights and human-readable outputs from complex model results. • Mentor junior architects and consultants; contribute to reusable accelerators, templates, and an internal knowledge base. • Provide technical oversight across multiple client engagements, ensuring architectural consistency, delivery quality, and alignment between business requirements and implemented solutions. • Provide hands-on guidance to engineering and data teams on API integrations, data pipelines, and AI service connectivity, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure, and maintainable. • Stay current on emerging AI platforms, LLM tooling, and cloud-based data services, continuously evaluating how they can enhance our integration capabilities.

• Leading workstreams as a part of a larger project; planning work according to project scope and timelines • Managing stakeholder relationships and expectations across client teams, including at the executive level • Owning deliverable story line development and ensuring the flow and level of detail is appropriately tailored to the audience • Prioritizing work across multiple teams and facilitating trade-off discussions • Identifying critical strategic gaps and designing solutions • Processing extensive, diverse information and distilling that information into clear, concise, professional client deliverables • Interpreting information and translating insights into optionality and / or pathways • Assigning and delegating ownership of work to project team members • Taking a proactive approach to identifying and managing issues • Communicating updates, progress, and upcoming plans for the project to internal and client stakeholders • Managing and mentoring junior team members • Identifying, escalating, and addressing gaps in client and Cuesta team skills, capacity, or capabilities • Using professional concepts and project objectives to resolve complex issues • Generating insights and devising plans to address issues identified • Supporting sales and account expansion efforts