Principal Engineer, Operations

On; Zürich; On-site; CHF 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

On is seeking a Principal Engineer to scale its Finance and Operations technology platforms. You’ll report to the Senior Director of Engineering of Operations and Finance Technology and collaborate with teams in Zurich, Berlin and London to re-engineer ERP and financial systems.

You bring 10+ years building high-performance and available systems, with hands-on leadership and strong business acumen, across a modern stack including TypeScript/Node.js, PostgreSQL, GCP and Kafka.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Over 10 years of experience building high-performance and highly available systems.
• Experience as a Principal Engineer, leading large-scale, high-traffic services and driving initiatives with business acumen.
• Strong English communication and teamwork in cross-functional environments.
• Proficiency in multiple OOP languages or TypeScript, Node.js, PostgreSQL, GCP, Kafka.
• Experience attracting and mentoring engineering talent and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Experience with external partners and technology vendors is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional initiatives with diverse viewpoints and hands-on contributions.
• Align technology strategy with Finance and Operations business goals for optimal results.
• Communicate a compelling technology vision to stakeholders across the org.
• Drive continuous improvement and raise the technical bar across teams.
• Make high-level decisions aligned with On's overall strategy.
• Uphold security and compliance across Finance and Operations systems.

Skills

Problem solving

Team player

English communication

Mentorship

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in CS/SE

Tools

Node.js

TypeScript

PostgreSQL

GCP

Kafka

Job description

With On’s growth, our Finance and Operations Technology teams are growing, and we’re looking for a Principal Engineer to help scale On’s operations and finance platforms. In this role, you’ll be directly reporting to the Senior Director of Engineering of Operations and Finance Technology, working closely with our operations and finance engineering teams, the product management team and key stakeholders based in Zurich, Berlin and London. All with the end goal to re-engineer and scale our core Finance and Operations technology platforms, encompassing critical areas such as supply chain, logistics, enterprise resource planning (ERP), and financial systems. All while using the latest technology. Your entrepreneurial and result-driven mindset, combined with strong hands-on technical oversight and execution skills, will make you a key member of the core team on which On’s future is built.

Your Mission

• Lead by example and with inclusion: Drive collaborative projects by seeking diverse viewpoints, emphasising shared knowledge, and making balanced decisions that benefit both Technology at On and the broader company. When required, always be eager to jump hands-on to move On forward and be comfortable with creating things from scratch to lead the team on the right path forward.
• Strategically align with business goals: Proactively identify and address critical business areas within Finance and Operations, balancing technical solutions with company objectives for optimal results. Craft strategies that not only respond to immediate operational needs but also anticipate future shifts, bridging the gap between visionary concepts and actionable strategies.
• Elevate Technology through Vision: Communicate a compelling vision for the future of technology within Finance and Operations at On, engaging team members and broader business stakeholders. Your passion and dedication to the vision should inspire and galvanise others to action.
• Drive Continuous Improvement: Foster a culture where the technical bar is consistently raised. Champion direct feedback and insights as tools to achieve this continuous evolution.
• Decisive Leadership: Be at the forefront of high-level decisions that resonate across the organisation. Your choices should always align with, and amplify, On's overarching strategy.
• Uphold Security and Compliance: Maintain and enhance On's security standards, ensuring processes minimise risks and stay compliant, particularly across critical Finance and Operations systems.

Your Story

• You hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field.
• With over 10 years under your belt, you've mastered the art of building and optimising high-performance and availability tech systems.
• You bring proven experience as a Principal Engineer, including building and scaling high-traffic services from the ground up by driving significant technical initiatives, and demonstrating strong business acumen.
• You possess strong problem-solving skills to tackle complex technical and product challenges, are a genuine team player, and communicate exceptionally well in English.
• You are confident working with a modern tech stack, including proficiency in more than one Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) language or TypeScript, Node.js, PostgreSQL, GCP, and Kafka Stream.
• You have experience taking part in strategies to attract and retain top-tier engineering talent and are committed to continuously raising the bar within the team through effective mentorship and professional development.
• Experience working with external partners and technology vendors is a plus.

Attributes Of a Successful Candidate

• Pragmatic Problem Solver: You excel at tackling complex challenges with practical, efficient solutions, always prioritising simplicity and avoiding unnecessary system complexity.
• Collaborative Influencer: A true leader rather than a manager, you're adept at guiding team decisions and fostering consensus through professional and constructive influence.
• Committed to Growth and Feedback: You're comfortable providing candid feedback to both peers and leadership, and equally eager to integrate feedback from others to continuously elevate your own expertise.