Principal Software Development Engineer

Madrona Venture Labs; Bellevue (WA); Hybrid; USD 163,620 - 212,710; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity plan with stock options

Competitive compensation and standard

Hybrid and flexible workplace policy

Job summary

iSpot is seeking a Principal Software Development Engineer to lead our data measurement platform's architecture and direction. You will drive real-time analytics and cloud-native design, collaborating with engineering, data science, product, and leadership to tackle scalability and data-partner challenges.

You will mentor engineers, influence roadmaps, and help shape secure, high-performance solutions for ad measurement. This role offers equity and competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 12 years of software engineering experience.
• Deep expertise in cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure) and cloud-native architectures.
• Strong programming skills in Python, Java, or Scala with distributed frameworks.
• Experience with Snowflake and BigQuery for real-time analytics.
• Proven mentorship and ability to influence teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement a forward-looking technical vision for the data platform.
• Lead architecture for real-time ingestion, analytics, and partner integrations.
• Collaborate with engineering, data science, product, and leadership on strategic goals.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to hiring and professional development.
• Represent the team in cross-functional collaboration and security reviews.

Skills

Cloud platforms

Python

Java

Scala

Big data processing

Spark

Flink

Kafka

Snowflake

BigQuery

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or Engineering

Tools

AWS

GCP

Azure

Spark

Flink

Kafka

Snowflake

BigQuery

Job description

Immigration / Work Authorization Notice: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. iSpot is not able to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this position at this time.

iSpot competes for the best talent. Our compensation packages consist of salary and equity in one of Seattle’s hottest start-ups, as well as other standard benefits. Most importantly, we provide a really interesting working experience, and the chance to contribute to the success of something great.

As a Principal Software Development Engineer, you will be a hands-on leader and strategic thinker, setting the technical direction and driving the architecture and design of iSpot’s data measurement platform. This role requires a deep understanding of large-scale data processing, cloud-native architecture, and real-time analytics. You will collaborate closely with engineering, data science, product, and leadership teams to tackle complex challenges, improve scalability, and create solutions that push the boundaries of ad measurement. As a technical mentor, you will inspire and guide other engineers, fostering a culture of innovation and technical rigor.

Specific Responsibilities Include:

Technical Leadership and Architecture

• Define and implement a forward-looking technical vision for iSpot’s measurement and data processing platform, ensuring scalability, reliability, and high performance.
• Lead the design of core architecture to support real-time data ingestion, large-scale analytics, and seamless integration with partner ecosystems.
• Collaborate closely with engineering and product leaders to align technology strategy with iSpot’s business goals, especially as they relate to cross-platform ad measurement and data partnerships.

Innovation and Problem Solving

• Identify and address complex technical challenges in high-volume data processing, cloud infrastructure, and data security, bringing innovative solutions to improve the platform.
• Drive experimentation and adoption of new technologies that enhance product capabilities and meet evolving market demands.
• Actively participate in roadmap planning, influencing key decisions related to technology, product development, and new feature design.

Mentorship and Team Development

• Serve as a mentor and role model, guiding engineers in best practices for coding, design, and architecture.
• Provide thought leadership and technical guidance across engineering teams, fostering an environment of continuous learning and improvement.
• Act as a key contributor in elevating the technical talent at iSpot, participating in hiring, onboarding, and professional development initiatives.

Collaboration and Cross-Functional Engagement

• Work closely with data science team to enhance methodology, data accuracy, and real-time processing capabilities.
• Collaborate with product management to shape user-centric solutions, ensuring the platform’s architecture can adapt to customer needs and industry trends.
• Engage with security and compliance teams to embed security practices into product and infrastructure design, maintaining the highest standards for data privacy and regulatory compliance.

Thought Leadership and Industry Engagement

• Represent iSpot in industry forums, conferences, and publications, contributing to the broader technical community on topics related to data processing, ad tech, and streaming measurement.
• Stay abreast of industry advancements in big data, machine learning, and cloud computing, recommending strategies to keep iSpot’s technology at the forefront.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in software engineering, with a strong focus on cloud infrastructure, data architecture, and large-scale data processing.
• Proven experience designing and scaling complex data-driven systems, ideally in ad tech, media, or high-volume data environments.
• Deep expertise in cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure) and cloud-native architectures.
• Strong programming skills in languages such as Python, Java, or Scala, and a solid understanding of distributed computing frameworks (e.g., Spark, Flink, Kafka).
• Experience with modern data storage solutions (e.g., Snowflake, BigQuery) and building real-time analytics pipelines.
• Track record of mentorship and ability to influence teams, with strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Familiarity with ad tech ecosystems, including SSPs, DSPs, and data sharing with clean rooms.

Target cash compensation range: $163,620 - $212,710 USD Annually

We are committed to providing competitive, market-informed compensation.

The cash compensation above includes base salary, variable commission for employees in eligible roles, and annual bonus targets for eligible roles. In addition to cash compensation, all full time iSpotters are eligible to participate in iSpot’s equity plan to receive stock options. Non-exempt roles will also be eligible for (pre-approved) overtime pay. Individual compensation packages are influenced by different factors unique to each candidate, including their skills, experience, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

For more information on total rewards package, go HERE

Hybrid & Flexible Workplace Policy

iSpot supports a hybrid and flexible workplace. Depending on location and work responsibilities, employees may be designated as full-time or part-time office-based or a fully remote employee. A hybrid work schedule indicates that you work in the office some days and work from home other days. The best hybrid workplaces allow for flexibility while also encouraging consistency.

Those local or living in surrounding areas to one of our offices (Bellevue, WA or New York, NY) will work a hybrid schedule, coming into their local office 1-3 days a week. While those in a role, not office-based and located further away from our offices, will work a fully remote schedule. If you have questions regarding exact details of our hybrid & flexible workplace policy, please let your recruiter know and they will discuss with you further.

#LI-Hybrid

iSpot is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please contact our HR team.

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