Principal Software Engineer

Code District; Lahore; On-site; PKR 2,000,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company in Lahore is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to own the architecture and delivery of modern, AI-enabled, cloud-native applications. This hands-on leadership role involves designing systems, mentoring developers, and ensuring high-quality production code. Ideal candidates should have over 5 years of experience in full-stack development, deep knowledge in JavaScript and frameworks like React and Node.js, and expertise in AWS services. Join a collaborative and innovative team driving impactful projects.

Benefits

Impactful AI-driven projects

Collaborative environment

Mentorship opportunities

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in full-stack web development.
• Deep proficiency in JavaScript (ES6+) and preferably TypeScript.
• Strong understanding of software engineering fundamentals.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end architecture for one or more products.
• Lead development using React/Next.js and Node.js/NestJS/Express.
• Design and guide deployments on AWS.

Skills

Full-stack web development

JavaScript (ES6+)

React (Next.js)

Node.js (NestJS, Express)

SQL (PostgreSQL/MySQL)

NoSQL (MongoDB)

REST API design

AWS core services

Mentoring

AI/LLM integration

Job description

Principal Software Engineer

Code District is looking for a Lead Software Engineer to own the architecture and delivery of modern, AI-enabled, cloud-native applications. This is a hands‑on technical leadership role: you will design systems, guide implementation, enforce standards, mentor developers, and still write high‑quality production code.

Key Responsibilities

• Architecture & design: Own end‑to‑end architecture for one or more products, apply suitable patterns (modular, microservices, event‑driven, etc.), and document/communicate key technical decisions and trade‑offs.
• Hands‑on engineering: Lead development using React/Next.js and Node.js/NestJS/Express; design and implement RESTful (and optionally GraphQL) APIs; work with SQL (PostgreSQL/MySQL) and NoSQL (MongoDB) while enforcing clean code, testing, and observability practices.
• Cloud & DevOps: Design and guide deployments on AWS using core services (VPC, IAM, EC2, ECS/Fargate, Lambda, API Gateway, S3, RDS, CloudFront, CloudWatch, SQS/SNS), collaborate with DevOps on CI/CD and IaC, and ensure security, resilience, and cost‑efficiency.
• Team leadership & standards: Lead multiple squads, set and enforce engineering standards (code quality, branching, reviews, documentation), perform regular code reviews, and mentor mid/junior engineers on both technical depth and professionalism.
• AI & modern practices: Drive adoption of AI‑assisted development tools (Copilot, Cursor, ChatGPT, etc.), help design and deliver AI‑enabled product features (LLM integrations, intelligent workflows), and champion modern engineering practices (Agile, API‑first, TDD where appropriate).
• Stakeholder & client engagement: Work closely with Product, Design, QA, and PMO for scoping and planning; join discovery and solution workshops with international clients; translate business goals into clear technical roadmaps and communicate risks and options clearly.
• Technology‑agnostic leadership: When required, lead or support projects in other stacks (e.g., .NET, PHP) by focusing on architecture, patterns, and standards, and guide teams through refactors, migrations, and legacy modernization.

Requirements

• 5+ years of professional experience in full‑stack web development.
• Deep proficiency in JavaScript (ES6+) and preferably TypeScript, with strong hands‑on experience in React (Next.js preferred) and Node.js (NestJS and/or Express).
• Strong understanding of software engineering fundamentals, architecture styles, and design patterns (layered, modular, microservices, event‑driven; DI, repository, adapter, strategy, etc.) applied in real projects.
• Solid experience with SQL databases (PostgreSQL/MySQL) and working knowledge of NoSQL (MongoDB), including sound data modeling and performance considerations.
• Strong experience in REST API design and integration (GraphQL is a plus), plus good grasp of Git‑based workflows and CI/CD concepts.
• Advanced, practical experience with AWS core services for compute, storage, data, networking, and messaging (e.g., VPC, IAM, EC2, ECS/Fargate, Lambda, API Gateway, S3, RDS, CloudFront, CloudWatch, SQS/SNS).
• Proven track record of leading engineering teams: mentoring, code reviews, setting standards, and managing delivery across multiple streams/squads.
• Technology‑agnostic mindset and ability to understand and lead work in other ecosystems (e.g., .NET, PHP) when required.
• Experience with or strong interest in AI/LLM integration and AI‑assisted development tools (Copilot, Cursor, ChatGPT, etc.).
• Excellent communication skills, comfort working with international clients and cross‑functional teams, and a high level of ownership, discipline, and commitment to engineering excellence.

Why Code District

• Lead impactful AI‑driven, cloud‑powered MERN projects.
• Shape architecture, mentor talent, and influence product strategy.
• Collaborative, innovative, and learning‑oriented environment.