Principal Software Engineer

Bentley Systems; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Bentley Systems' Cesium Native squad is seeking a visionary Principal Engineer to advance core Cesium Native C++ libraries for large-scale geospatial visualization across Unreal Engine, Unity, and NVIDIA Omniverse. You will shape API design, performance, and modularity while guiding open-source collaboration.

This senior role emphasizes technical leadership, mentoring, and a multi-year roadmap. Hybrid work in Philadelphia supports flexible collaboration with product teams and external

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in 3D runtime or game engine development.
• Expert-level C++ (C++17/20/23) with emphasis on API design.
• Proficient in modern graphics APIs and advanced 3D graphics algorithms.
• Experience leading technical design for Unreal Engine, Unity or NVIDIA Omniverse.
• Strong graphics algorithms, spatial data structures and 3D math.
• Debugging, profiling and optimizing multi-threaded graphics apps.
• Familiar with geospatial data formats such as photogrammetry and 3D Tiles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to influence, mentor and lead senior engineers.
• BS or MS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Architect, develop and shape the Cesium Native C++ libraries for performance and modular API design.
• Drive research and implementation of novel 3D graphics algorithms for large‑scale geospatial visualization.
• Enhance runtimes for high‑performance streaming, LOD, and efficient decoding of datasets.
• Profile and debug the engine to remove performance bottlenecks across platforms.
• Set engineering standards through code reviews and technical guidance.
• Mentor senior engineers and foster culture of innovation.
• Partner with product and leadership to define multi‑year Cesium Native roadmap.
• Requires sitting or standing; no travel is required.

Skills

3D runtime

C++ development

Graphics APIs

Leadership/mentoring

API design

Education

BS or MS in CS/SE

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

NVIDIA Omniverse

Vulkan

DirectX 12

Metal

Job description

Principal Software Engineer

Location: Philadelphia, PA – Hybrid

No sponsorship is available for this role

Position Summary

Cesium, as part of Bentley Systems, is setting the standard for 3D geospatial technology across diverse industries, from construction and engineering to defense and aerospace. With a thriving open-source community and millions of downloads, we are at the forefront of innovation.

We are seeking a visionary Principal Engineer to join our Cesium Native squad. This role is pivotal in advancing our core C++ libraries that power 3D geospatial applications and experiences within the world’s leading game engines. You will be a leading voice in the technical direction of our open‑source, cross‑platform technology that enables developers to stream and visualize massive real‑world 3D datasets.

Responsibilities

• Architect, develop and shape the future of the core Cesium Native C++ libraries, focusing on performance, modularity, and clean API design to support our integrations with Unreal Engine, Unity, and NVIDIA Omniverse.
• Drive the research and implementation of novel 3D graphics algorithms, tackling the most challenging problems in large‑scale geospatial visualization.
• Enhance our runtimes capabilities for high‑performance streaming, level‑of‑detail selection, and efficient decoding of massive geospatial datasets.
• Profile and debug the engine to identify and eliminate performance bottlenecks, ensuring a smooth experience for end‑users on a variety of platforms.
• Set the standard for engineering excellence within the team and the open‑source community through exemplary code, insightful reviews, and strategic technical guidance.
• Mentor and grow other senior engineers on the team, fostering a culture of technical innovation and continuous improvement.
• Partner with product management and engineering leadership to define and execute the multi‑year technical roadmap for the Cesium Native ecosystem.
• Requires sitting or standing at will while performing work on a computer (or any other physical requirements (https://www.bls.gov/ors/factsheet/visual-overview-of-physical-demands.htm)).
• No travel is required for this role.

Qualifications

• Over 12 years of professional experience in 3D runtime or game engine development.
• Expert‑level C++ development skills (C++17/20/23), with a strong focus on API design, modular architecture, and high performance.
• Recognized expertise in modern graphics APIs (Vulkan, DirectX 12, Metal) and advanced 3D graphics algorithms.
• Proven experience leading the technical design and implementation of core engine components for platforms like Unreal Engine, Unity, or NVIDIA Omniverse.
• Solid understanding of graphics algorithms, spatial data structures, and 3D mathematics.
• Experience debugging, profiling, and optimizing complex, multi‑threaded graphics applications.
• Familiarity with geospatial concepts and data formats such as photogrammetry, point clouds, terrain, and open standards like glTF and 3D Tiles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience collaborating with both internal teams and external communities.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and lead cross‑functional teams and effectively mentor other senior engineers.
• BS or MS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.

What We Offer

• A great Team and culture – please see our colleague video.
• An exciting career as an integral part of a world‑leading software company providing solutions for architecture, engineering, and construction - watch this short documentary about how we got our start.
• An attractive salary and benefits package.
• A commitment to inclusion, belonging and colleague wellbeing through global initiatives and resource groups.
• A company committed to making a real difference by advancing the world’s infrastructure for better quality of life, where your contributions help build a more sustainable, connected, and resilient world.
• Discover our latest user success stories for an insight into our global impact.

About Bentley Systems

Around the world, infrastructure professionals rely on software from Bentley Systems to help them design, build, and operate better and more resilient infrastructure for transportation, water, energy, cities, and more. Founded in 1984 by engineers for engineers, Bentley is the partner of choice for engineering firms and owner‑operators worldwide, with software that spans engineering disciplines, industry sectors, and all phases of the infrastructure lifecycle. Through our digital twin solutions, we help infrastructure professionals unlock the value of their data to transform project delivery and asset performance. www.bentley.com

Equal Opportunity Employer

Bentley is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, pregnancy, protected veteran status, religion, national origin, age, genetic information or any other protected characteristic. This commitment extends to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, compensation, and training. Know Your Rights as an applicant under the law.

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