Location: Reston, VA
Salary: $225,000.00 USD Annually - $300,000.00 USD Annually
Description: Principal / Senior Principal Software Engineer (C++ Distributed Systems)The Judge Group is seeking a Principal or Senior Principal Software Engineer to join a highly innovative engineering organization building large-scale, distributed platforms that process massive volumes of real-time transactions. This is an opportunity to work on complex technical challenges involving scalability, performance, reliability, and distributed computing while helping shape engineering strategy and architecture.
LocationHybrid Opportunities Available In:- New York, NY
- Chicago, IL
- Reston, VA
- Denver, CO
Job Level- Level 6: Principal Software Engineer
- Level 7: Senior Principal Software Engineer / Architect
Salary Range$225,000 - $304,000+ Base SalaryCompensation is based on level, experience, technical expertise, and work location. Additional compensation may include annual bonus opportunities, equity awards, and a comprehensive benefits package.
Principal Software Engineer (Level 6/7)- Denver, CO: $236,000+
- Chicago, IL: $225,000+
- Reston, VA: $247,000+
- New York, NY: $257,000 +
About the RoleAs a Principal or Senior Principal Software Engineer, you will provide technical leadership across large-scale distributed systems and backend platforms. You will influence architecture, drive platform strategy, mentor senior engineers, and solve highly complex technical challenges that impact business-critical systems.
This position is ideal for engineers who have advanced beyond feature ownership and are driving architectural decisions, cross-functional technical initiatives, and long-term platform evolution.
Responsibilities- Define and drive technical strategy across multiple products, services, and platforms.
- Design and guide the development of highly scalable distributed systems.
- Lead architecture reviews and influence key engineering decisions.
- Solve complex challenges related to scalability, reliability, latency, and performance.
- Collaborate with engineering leadership to establish technical roadmaps and priorities.
- Drive modernization initiatives and platform improvements.
- Mentor and develop senior engineers and technical leaders.
- Establish engineering standards, best practices, and design patterns.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to align business objectives with technical solutions.
- Act as a trusted advisor for critical technology investments and platform decisions.
Minimum Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
- 8+ years of professional software engineering experience.
- Expert-level C++ development experience within production environments.
- Deep experience designing and building distributed systems at scale.
- Strong understanding of system architecture, networking, concurrency, and performance optimization.
- Experience developing backend applications on Linux/Unix platforms.
- Demonstrated success leading large technical initiatives.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Proven experience solving complex production and scalability challenges.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience with AWS or other cloud platforms.
- Experience with Kubernetes and containerized environments.
- Knowledge of Go (Golang).
- Experience with distributed databases, caching technologies, and messaging systems.
- Background in high-volume, low-latency environments.
- Proven success leading architecture transformation initiatives.
- Track record of influencing technical direction across teams and organizations.
Leveling ExpectationsLevel 6 - Principal Software EngineerCandidates at this level typically:
- Influence architecture across multiple systems and engineering teams.
- Own large, complex technical initiatives.
- Guide platform scalability, modernization, and reliability efforts.
- Mentor senior engineers and serve as a technical lead
Level 7 - Senior Principal Software Engineer / ArchitectCandidates at this level typically:
- Define long-term technical vision and architecture strategy.
- Influence major business and technology decisions.
- Lead enterprise-scale transformation initiatives.
- Serve as a recognized technical authority across the organization.
- Connect platform strategy, architecture, execution, and business outcomes.
Ideal Candidate BackgroundsWe are interested in candidates from organizations where performance, reliability, and scalability are mission-critical, including:
- Cloud Infrastructure
- SaaS Platforms
- Financial Technology
- Trading Systems
- Telecommunications
- Digital Media Platforms
- Data-Intensive Technology Companies
- Search and Recommendation Platforms
- Gaming Infrastructure
- Large-Scale Platform Engineering Organizations
Why Join Us?- Work on large-scale, highly distributed systems.
- Influence technical strategy and architecture.
- Solve complex engineering challenges with significant business impact.
- Collaborate with highly skilled engineering teams.
- Competitive compensation and career growth opportunities.
- High visibility and leadership impact across the organization.
Please send resume to along with Linked IN profile.By providing your phone number, you consent to: (1) receive automated text messages and calls from the Judge Group, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively "Judge") to such phone number regarding job opportunities, your job application, and for other related purposes. Message & data rates apply and message frequency may vary. Consistent with Judge's Privacy Policy, information obtained from your consent will not be shared with third parties for marketing/promotional purposes. Reply STOP to opt out of receiving telephone calls and text messages from Judge and HELP for help.
Contact: This job and many more are available through The Judge Group. Please apply with us today! 
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