Principal Software Engineer

Impinj, Inc.; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 185,000 - 278,000; Full time

Job summary

Impinj is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to join our Platform Engineering team and build the next-generation RAIN RFID platform. You will tackle data integration, streaming pipelines, and scalable software from embedded readers to cloud services.

You will mentor engineers, collaborate across the stack, and drive a technical vision for a robust, high-performance platform. Hybrid onsite work at our Seattle-area Lab is available up to 3 days weekly.

Qualifications

• BS in ECE, CS, or related field plus 15+ years of software development experience or equivalent
• Proficiency in embedded development using C, C++, and/or Rust
• Proficiency in higher-level languages such as Python, C#/.NET, or Go
• Proficiency with embedded Linux platforms such as Yocto, Zephyr, or similar
• Proficiency implementing ML algorithms and leveraging ML inference frameworks
• Experience interfacing with ML teams and cross-disciplinary engineering teams
• Experience designing, implementing, and deploying scalable, reliable distributed systems
• Experience with RFID, IoT, Bluetooth, or other embedded end-user technologies
• Familiarity with networking such as NATS, MQTT, Kafka, AMQP, or ZeroMQ
• Proven ability to build modular designs with strong test coverage

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and evolve the software stack behind our RAIN RFID data integration platform, from embedded readers through cloud services
• Architect high-throughput stream-processing pipelines that handle large volumes of RFID data in real time
• Develop algorithms that extract actionable insight from raw RFID data for customers across healthcare, logistics, and retail
• Build distributed systems that scale from a single reader to a global deployment of readers
• Partner with Machine Learning teams to integrate ML models and inference frameworks into the platform
• Collaborate with engineers across the full stack to deliver integrated, end-to-end solutions
• Define technical vision and drive implementation of scalable, reliable platform architecture
• Mentor engineers and advocate for best practices in software development
• Deliver high-quality, well-tested code across multiple release cycles
• Participate in our hybrid workplace, onsite at our Lab in North Beacon Hill up to 3 days per week

Skills

C/C++/Rust

Python/.NET/Go

Embedded Linux (Yocto/Zephyr)

ML inference

RFID/IoT tech

Distributed systems

Networking (NATS/MQTT/Kafka)

Education

BS in ECE or CS

Tools

Yocto

Zephyr

TensorFlow

PyTorch

CUDA

LiteRT

Job description

Impinj is a leading RAIN RFID provider and Internet of Things pioneer. We’re inventing ways to connect every thing to the Internet —including retail apparel, retail general merchandise, healthcare items, automobile parts, airline baggage, food and much more. With more than 100 billion items connected to date, and multiple Fortune 500 enterprises around the world using our platform, we solve for a better understanding of our world.If it’s a thing, we’re working to connect it.Join Impinj and help us realize ourvision of a boundless IoT— connecting trillions of everyday items to the Internet.

Team Overview:

We're seeking a Principal Software Engineer to join our growing Platform Engineering team, building the next-generation RAIN RFID platform for a diverse set of applications, from healthcare to logistics to retail.

In this role, you will help build our RAIN RFID data integration stack for our reader products, tackling challenges such as efficient stream processing of large volumes of data, complex algorithms to extract insight from raw RFID data, and a software stack that scales from a single reader to a global deployment. Principal engineers at Impinj are software authorities who work as part of a team, taking on our hardest challenges and delivering innovative, effective solutions while collaborating with engineers across the stack — from tagged items to the cloud.

What You Will Do:

• Design, build, and evolve the software stack behind our RAIN RFID data integration platform, from embedded readers through cloud services
• Architect high-throughput stream-processing pipelines that handle large volumes of RFID data in real time
• Develop algorithms that extract actionable insight from raw RFID data for customers across healthcare, logistics, and retail
• Build distributed systems that scale seamlessly from a single reader to a global deployment of readers
• Partner with Machine Learning teams to integrate ML models and inference frameworks into the platform
• Collaborate closely with engineers across the full stack, from tagged items to the cloud, to deliver integrated, end-to-end solutions
• Define technical vision and drive implementation of sophisticated, scalable, and reliable platform architecture
• Mentor engineers, advocate for best practices in software development, and contribute to an inclusive team culture
• Deliver high-quality, well-tested code across multiple release cycles, setting the technical standard for the team
• Participate in our hybrid workplace, working onsite at our Lab in North Beacon Hill up to 3 days per week

What You Will Bring:

• BS in ECE, CS, or a related field, with 15+ years of software development experience , or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Proficiency in embedded development using C, C++, and/or Rust
• Proficiency in higher-level languages such as Python, C#/.NET, or Go
• Proficiency with embedded Linux platforms such as Yocto, Zephyr, or similar systems
• Proficiency implementing Machine Learning algorithms and leveraging ML inference frameworks such as LiteRT, CUDA, PyTorch, and TensorFlow
• Experience interfacing with Machine Learning teams and cross-disciplinary engineering teams
• Experience designing, implementing, and deploying scalable, reliable distributed systems
• Experience with RFID, IoT, Bluetooth, or other embedded end-user technologies
• Familiarity with network technologies such as NATS, MQTT, Kafka, AMQP, or ZeroMQ
• Proven ability to build modular designs with strong test coverage

The benefits listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Impinj and the country where you work.

The typical base pay range for this role across the US is$185,000 - $277,600. Individual base pay depends on various factors such as complexity and responsibility of role, job duties, requirements, and relevant experience and skills. Both market wage data and the mid-point of the pay range is reviewed and used as the starting point for all new hire offers. Offers are made within the base pay range applicable at the time.
At Impinj certain roles are eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, annual bonus and stock. These awards are allocated based on individual performance. In addition, certain roles also have the opportunity to earn sales incentives based on revenue or utilization, depending on the terms of the plan and the employee’s role. US based employees have access to healthcare benefits; a 401(k) plan and company match among others.

For a more comprehensive list of US employment benefits, click here .

US Export Controls:

This position has access to technologies or data subject to U.S. export control regulations. Under these laws, the release or transfer of export-controlled items or information to individuals who are not classified as "U.S. persons" (as defined by Immigration & Nationality Act) may require prior authorization from the U.S. government. We may require additional documentation related to national identity to determine whether an export compliance license is required for any export‑controlled items. This information is requested solely for the purpose of complying with U.S. export control laws and will not be used for other purposes. Learn more about export compliance here .

Why work at Impinj:

Know you’re making a difference. Competitive benefits. Support for remote work or a desk with a view. Weekly Q&A sessions with our executive team. Impinj provides an environment that fosters openness and innovation and is developing technology that delivers a positive impact on the world. Collaboration and teamwork are highly valued, and accomplishments are duly celebrated. We have an open paid time-off policy paired with a respect for work/life balance. Our headquarters is located in Seattle with spectacular views of the Olympics, Lake Union, and Mt Baker, which can be enjoyed from our rooftop deck. Our Brazilian site is in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, at “Tecnopuc,” a technology park that offers a very nice workplace for the development of groundbreaking technologies. Impinj is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Voluntary Self‑Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Impinj’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service‑connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Purpose: At Impinj, we are committed to using technology to improve our processes while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and fairness. This policy outlines the permitted uses of artificial intelligence (AI) in our recruitment process for both candidates and our hiring teams.

How Impinj's Recruiting team uses AI:

1. Interview Scheduling: AI-powered scheduling tools may be used to coordinate interview times between candidates and interviewers. This ensures a more efficient and convenient scheduling process for all parties involved.
2. Skill Assessments: AI-based assessments may be used to evaluate specific skills relevant to the job. These assessments are designed to provide an objective measure of a candidate's abilities. Results from AI assessments will be considered alongside other evaluation methods to ensure a comprehensive review of each candidate.
3. Interview transcription: With a candidate’s verbal consent, we may use AI to transcribe and summarize our interviews to reduce reliance on manual notetaking during an interview.

Candidate Expectations:

• Preparation: We encourage candidates to use available resources for preparation. This includes conducting online research, engaging with professional networks, and asking clarifying questions.
• Live Interviews: Candidates may not use AI to supplement their performance during live interviews, complete take‑home assignments, or for sample work submissions, unless explicitly instructed or agreed upon by a member of the Impinj Recruiting team prior to the live interview or otherwise in advance of the assignment. We want to see your independent ability to think and perform.

Impinj reserves the right to disqualify candidates based on the necessary skills and qualifications for the role(s) in which they’ve applied. If a candidate is reasonably suspected to be using AI during without pre-approval by a member of the Impinj Recruiting team, the candidate may be invalidated for the role.