engineer principal, Edge Foundation Services - ST (Seattle, WA)

Starbucks Corp.; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Bean Stock equity program

Job summary

Starbucks Coffee Company is seeking a Principal Engineer to set the technical direction for our edge-to-store platform, guiding architecture, delivery, and operations at global scale. You will collaborate with product, security, and operations teams to build secure, resilient systems powering thousands of stores.

You'll mentor engineers, shape AI deployments at the edge, and define patterns that scale across compute, networking, and data services, enabling faster, more reliable store experiences

Qualifications

• Lead technical strategy and architecture across large-scale platforms.
• Define security, reliability, and performance requirements for edge-to-store systems.
• Mentor engineers and align multiple teams around architectural patterns.
• Experience building secure, scalable platforms spanning cloud, networking, and data stores.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical vision from edge to experience.
• Architect platforms for real-world scale with automation and observability.
• Mentor engineers and drive critical technical decisions.
• Shape the AI strategy at the edge and establish guardrails.

Skills

10+ years software engineering

Technical leadership

Mentoring engineers

Cross-team collaboration

Systems languages (Go/Rust)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field

Tools

AWS

Azure

Kubernetes

Linux containers

Infrastructure as code

CI/CD

Job description

From the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company. One that not only celebrated coffee and the rich tradition, but that also brought a feeling of connection. We are known for developing extraordinary leaders who share this passion and are guided by their service to others.

Edge Foundation Services builds the full-stack platform powering Starbucks stores worldwide (soon). Our work spans edge compute, deployment, device management, networking, and the operational capabilities that keep technology reliable across company-operated, licensed, and franchise locations. As a Principal Engineer, you’ll set the technical direction for this ecosystem; connecting architecture, delivery, and operations to create secure, resilient platforms that perform at global scale and make every store easier to evolve.

You’ll build the foundational services that turn thousands of coffeehouses into a consistent, scalable runtime, giving product teams a paved path to deliver new experiences with greater speed and confidence. Working across engineering, product, architecture, security, and operations, you’ll guide critical decisions, establish reusable patterns, mentor engineers, and raise the engineering bar across teams. You’ll also shape how AI moves from experimentation to safe, reliable production in stores; defining the guardrails and platform capabilities that can unlock smarter operations and more seamless experiences for store partners and customers.

As a Principal Engineer you will

• Own the technical vision from edge to experience – Set the engineering direction for holistic platform solutions, connecting architecture, delivery, and operations to create reliable, scalable experiences for our customers and store partners.
• Architect platforms built for real-world scale – Lead the end-to-end design of secure, resilient, and adaptable infrastructure across compute, networking, containers, and applications. Champion automation, GitOps, CI/CD, observability, and operational excellence so teams can ship confidently and continuously.
• Multiply the impact of engineering teams – Mentor engineers, guide critical technical decisions, and bring architects, product partners, and developers together around the right solution. Translate complexity into clear direction, raise the engineering bar, and help teams deliver outcomes that matter to customers.
• Shape the AI strategy at the edge – Define how AI capabilities are safely deployed, operated, and scaled across thousands of stores. Establish architectural patterns and guardrails that help teams move from experimentation to reliable production solutions that improve the store‑partner and customer experience.

We’d love to hear from people with:

• 10+ years of software engineering experience, including significant technical leadership across complex, large-scale platform or distributed systems
• Proven ability to define technical strategy and architecture, make high-impact design decisions, and guide solutions from concept through production operations
• Deep expertise in building secure, resilient, scalable platforms spanning applications, cloud infrastructure, networking, containers, data stores, observability, and automation
• Demonstrated success influencing across engineering, architecture, product, security, and operations without relying on direct authority
• Track record of translating ambiguous business needs and operational constraints into clear technical direction, measurable outcomes, and durable roadmaps
• Experience mentoring senior engineers, raising engineering standards, and aligning multiple teams around shared architectural patterns and platform capabilities
• Strong hands‑on software engineering background, including coding, code review, and troubleshooting; experience with Go, Rust, or comparable systems languages preferred
• Strong knowledge of AWS or Azure, Kubernetes and Linux containers, infrastructure as code, CI/CD, and modern configuration management practices
• Experience designing and operating APIs and distributed services using technologies such as REST, gRPC, relational and non‑relational data stores, HTTP, DNS, and TCP/IP
• Experience applying emerging technologies—including AI capabilities—within secure, governed, production‑grade platforms
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, or equivalent practical experience

As a Starbucks partner, you (and your family) will have access to medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, and other voluntary insurance benefits. Partners have access to short‑term and long‑term disability, paid parental leave, family expansion reimbursement, paid vacation from date of hire*, sick time (accrued at 1 hour for every 25 hours worked), eight paid holidays, and two personal days per year. Starbucks also offers eligible partners participation in a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, a discounted company stock program (S.I.P.), Starbucks equity program (Bean Stock), incentivized emergency savings, and financial well‑being tools. Additionally, Starbucks offers 100% upfront tuition coverage for a first‑time bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University’s online program via the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, student loan management resources, and access to other educational opportunities. You will also have access to backup care and DACA reimbursement. Starbucks will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, and in accordance with its plans and policies. This list is subject to change depending on collective bargaining in locations where partners have a certified bargaining representative. For additional information regarding partner perks and more detailed information about benefits, go to starbucksbenefits.com.

• If you are working in CA, CO, IL, LA, ME, MA, NE, ND or RI, you will accrue vacation up to a maximum of 120 hours (190 in CA) for roles below director and 200 hours (316 in CA) for roles at director or above. For roles in other states, you will be granted vacation time starting at 120 hours annually for roles below director and 200 hours annually for roles director and above.

The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job‑related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity. At Starbucks, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

We believe we do our best work when we're together, which is why we're onsite four days a week.

Join us and inspire with every cup.

Starbucks Coffee Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal, state and local ordinances.

Starbucks Coffee Company is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at [e-mail] or 1(888) 611-2258.