Principal Software Engineer - QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey

McKinsey; Dubai; On-site; AED 360,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

McKinsey & Company in Dubai is seeking an experienced software architect to lead development teams, design enterprise-grade solutions, and mentor client teams. You will shape tech strategy, work hands-on to architect and deliver, and collaborate with C-level leaders across industries.

The role offers growth, global collaboration, and opportunities to influence engineering culture, adopt best practices, and deliver measurable impact for clients.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate or master’s degree; or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of experience in software development and architecture.
• Active in the tech community and collaboration with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience leading Agile teams and coaching Agile mindsets.
• Experience writing unit tests with major frameworks and TDD practices.
• Strong time management in autonomous environments.
• Excellent written and spoken English and local office language(s).

Responsibilities

• Lead development teams to design and deliver enterprise-grade software solutions.
• Shape clients' tech strategies and mentor their teams.
• Architect, design, and deliver enterprise-grade software solutions hands-on.
• Establish metrics and KPIs to drive alignment and success of engineering-powered solutions.
• Influence strategic decisions by working with C-level leaders across industries.

Skills

Software leadership

Architecture design

Agile coaching

English communication

Open-source engagement

Education

Undergraduate or Master’s degree

Tools

Karma/JUnit/NUnit/MSTest

Job description

Do you want to do work that matters, alongside supportive leaders who will help you grow faster than you ever thought possible? Are you a creative problem-solver who is energized by challenges? You've come to the right place.

YOUR IMPACT

You will lead development teams to design and deliver enterprise-grade software solutions while shaping clients' tech strategies and mentoring their teams. Your role offers the opportunity to work across industries, influence C-level decisions, and become a leading expert in cutting-edge technologies. You will work hands-on to architect, design, and deliver enterprise-grade software solutions while mentoring client teams to adopt best practices. Your work will involve leading multiple development teams, defining short- and long-term technology strategies, and partnering with cross-functional teams to solve complex business challenges. You will also establish metrics and KPIs to drive alignment and ensure the success of engineering-powered solutions. Your work will help clients achieve their goals while shaping their technological ecosystems and engineering cultures. By working directly with C-level leaders, you will influence strategic decisions and deliver impact beyond the products you build. You'll also work across a variety of industries and technologies, gaining new insights and expertise with every project. You will lead the design and delivery of innovative technology solutions that transform businesses across industries. Based in one of our global locations, you will be part of a multidisciplinary group of software engineers, Agile coaches, designers, and technologists passionate about creating industry-shaping products and tools. Your role offers unparalleled opportunities for growth and impact. You'll have access to C-level leaders eager to hear your expertise, the chance to work on diverse projects, and the resources to become a leading expert in your field. Supported by a collaborative and innovative team, you'll make a lasting impact on clients, industries, and the future of technology.

YOUR GROWTH

Driving lasting impact and building long‑term capabilities with our clients is not easy work. You are the kind of person who thrives in a high performance/high reward culture - doing hard things, picking yourself up when you stumble, and having the resilience to try another way forward. In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we'll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities you need to become a stronger leader faster than you ever thought possible. Your colleagues—at all levels—will invest deeply in your development, just as much as they invest in delivering exceptional results for clients. Every day, you'll receive apprenticeship, coaching, and exposure that will accelerate your growth in ways you won't find anywhere else. When you join us, you will have:

• Continuous learning:Our learning and apprenticeship culture, backed by structured programs, is all about helping you grow while creating an environment where feedback is clear, actionable, and focused on your development. The real magic happens when you take the input from others to heart and embrace the fast‑paced learning experience, owning your journey.
• A voice that matters:From day one, we value your ideas and contributions. You'll make a tangible impact by offering innovative ideas and practical solutions, all while upholding our unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. We not only encourage diverse perspectives, but they are critical in driving us toward the best possible outcomes.
• Global community:With colleagues across 65+ countries and over 100 different nationalities, our firm's diversity fuels creativity and helps us come up with the best solutions for our clients. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to learn from exceptional colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• World‑class benefits:On top of a competitive salary (based on your location, experience, and skills), we provide a comprehensive benefits package to enable holistic well‑being for you and your family.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Undergraduate or master's degree; or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of experience in software development and architecture with a demonstrated track record of successfully understanding the business requirements and designing realistic and effective solutions
• Active in the tech community (e.g. contributing to open‑source projects, speaking at conferences, blogging, etc.) and experience working collaboratively with technical and non‑technical team members and stakeholders
• Experience leading in Agile teams, including coaching and modeling Agile mindsets as part of sprint ceremonies, work definition and building developer capabilities
• Experience writing unit tests with major frameworks (e.g., Karma, JUnit, NUnit, MSTest) and practicing test‑driven development
• Exceptional time management to meet your responsibilities in a complex and largely autonomous work environment
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, in English and the local office language(s), with the ability to adjust your style to suit different perspectives and seniority levels

FOR U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

FOR NON-U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. For additional details regarding our global EEO policy and diversity initiatives, please visit our McKinsey Careers and Diversity & Inclusion sites.