Principal Software Engineer

Nasdaq; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with 6% match

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Company paid life and disability plans

Generous paid time off

Health, dental, vision coverage

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

Nasdaq is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to shape the technical direction of our institutional investing platforms. You will balance hands-on engineering with strategic influence, driving architecture decisions and enabling teams to scale.

We seek a technically deep, collaborative engineer who thrives on complexity, embraces emerging tech, and translates ambiguity into robust solutions. A hybrid work setup is available, with in-office days required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS/IS or equivalent.
• 8+ years in software engineering delivering large-scale systems.
• Ability to lead architecture design across multiple teams.
• Deep full-stack development and cloud infrastructure expertise.
• Strong communication and collaboration in global environments.
• Experience with AI-assisted development including LLMs/agentic workflows.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive technical architecture across multiple engineering teams, ensuring scalable, secure solutions aligned with long-term platform strategy.
• Lead proof-of-concept initiatives for emerging technologies and translate findings into adoption recommendations.
• Serve as a technical lead on large-scale projects, providing direction, mentorship, and hands-on contribution.
• Partner with product, design, and platform engineering to align technical decisions with business priorities and client outcomes.
• Establish and champion engineering standards, patterns, and best practices to raise quality and consistency.

Skills

Full-stack development

Cloud infrastructure

Architecture design

Technical leadership

Communication & collaboration

AI-assisted development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related

Job description

As a Principal Software Engineer, you'll play a defining role in shaping the technical direction of the platforms that power the institutional investing marketplace. You'll operate at the intersection of hands‑on engineering and strategic influence — driving technology exploration, enabling engineering teams to deliver at scale, and contributing to architecture decisions.

You'll thrive in this role if you're a technically deep, collaborative engineer who is energized by complexity, passionate about emerging technology, and skilled at turning ambiguous challenges into well‑engineered solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and drive technical architecture across multiple engineering teams, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure, and aligned with long-term platform strategy.
• Lead proof‑of‑concept initiatives for emerging technologies, evaluating feasibility and translating findings into actionable recommendations for adoption.
• Serve as a technical lead on large‑scale engineering projects, providing direction, mentorship, and hands‑on contribution from discovery through delivery.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams — including product, design, and platform engineering — to align technical decisions with business priorities and client outcomes.
• Establish and champion engineering standards, patterns, and best practices that elevate quality and consistency across the organization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or equivalent practical experience.
• 8+ years of software engineering experience, with a demonstrated track record of delivering complex, large‑scale systems.
• Proven ability to lead architecture design and technical strategy across multiple teams or workstreams.
• Deep expertise in full‑stack development, cloud infrastructure, and modern software engineering practices.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience influencing technical decisions in matrixed, global environments.
• Experience with AI‑assisted development, including large language models, agentic workflows, or spec‑driven development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading technology POCs and translating exploration into production‑ready solutions.
• Prior experience in capital markets, fintech, or other regulated industries.

This position offers the opportunity for a hybrid work environment (at least 3 days a week in office, subject to change), providing flexibility and accessibility for qualified candidates.

Come as You Are

Nasdaq is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives, experiences, and identities are valued and celebrated.

We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation throughout the hiring process.

What We Offer

We’re proud to offer a competitive rewards package that is meaningful, recognizes the unique needs of our employees and their families and incentivizes employees for their contribution to Nasdaq’s overall success.

In addition to base salary, Nasdaq offers significant other compensation (annual bonus/commissions and equity), benefits, and opportunity for growth. Exact compensation may vary based on several job‑related factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to: skill set, experience, education/training, business needs and market demands.

Nasdaq’s programs and rewards are intended to allow our employees to:

• Secure Wealth: 401(k) program with 6% employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount, Student loan repayment program up to $10k, Company paid life and disability plans, Generous paid time off
• Prioritize Health: Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, Health spending account with employer contribution, Paid flex days to support mental wellbeing, Gym membership discounts
• Care for Family: Hybrid home/office schedule (for most positions), Paid parental leave, Fertility benefits, Paid bereavement leave
• Connect with Community: Company gift matching program, Employee resource groups, Paid volunteer days
• Grow Career: Education Assistance Program, Robust job skills training and Professional development opportunities

For more information, visit Nasdaq Benefits & Rewards Career page.