Principal Software Engineer

Empower; United States; Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 182,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Volunteer time

Job summary

Empower is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to architect and implement complex software, drive technical excellence, and shape the roadmap. You will lead design, mentor engineers, and own critical applications in a cloud-native environment.

The role involves hands-on coding, collaboration with stakeholders, and contributing to standards and best practices. A remote/hybrid setup is available within the U.S.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in Java, Spring Boot microservices and cloud native tech
• Leadership or principal capacity in prior roles
• Experience designing complex software with multiple stakeholders
• Strong AWS/EKS, SQL/NoSQL experience, API development

Responsibilities

• Provide technical feasibility based on business needs
• Lead design and reviews, code reviews, and production support issues
• Lead critical component design and implementation
• Mentor team members and contribute to coding standards

Skills

Java

Spring Boot

Cloud Native

Leadership

Mentor team

API design

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS

Tools

AWS/EKS

Kubernetes

Service Mesh (Istio/Envoy)

Job description

Our vision for the future is based on the idea that transforming financial lives starts by giving our people the freedom to transform their own. We have a flexible work environment, and fluid career paths. We not only encourage but celebrate internal mobility. We also recognize the importance of purpose, well-being, and work-life balance. Within Empower and our communities, we work hard to create a welcoming and inclusive environment, and our associates dedicate thousands of hours to volunteering for causes that matter most to them.

Chart your own path and grow your career while helping more customers achieve financial freedom. Empower Yourself.

***Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time, including CPT/OPT.***

A Principal Software Engineer is a senior technical leader responsible for architecting and implementing complex software solutions, driving technical excellence, and providing guidance on major engineering projects. They play a crucial role in shaping the technical roadmap and strategy of the organization. A Principal Software Engineer is an individual contributor focusing on the significant engineering ownership of complex applications including design and development of new features, improvements to existing code, code release and deployment and maintenance of the applications.

What you will do:

• Provide technical feasibility and evaluation of the product based on the business needs
• Provide technical leadership to the team in design finalization, code reviews, and resolving production support and maintenance issues
• Lead design and implementation of critical software components and systems
• Mentor technical members of the team
• Contribute to the development of coding standards, best practices, and guidelines
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define and execute the technical roadmap
• Stay informed about emerging technologies and industry trends to drive technical innovation
• Hands-on role which involves coding on day-to-day basis
• Lead domain modelling designs
• Responsible for production on-call duties like any other team member
• Produce high quality design documentation

What you will bring:

• 7+ years of expertise in Java , Spring boot microservices and Cloud Native technologies or similar (including 2+ years in a lead or principal capacity)
• Designed, developed, and maintained a complex software solution involving multiple stakeholders
• Proficient in AWS/EKS and SQL/NOSQL platforms
• Preferred knowledge of service mesh technologies like Istio/Envoy
• Deep knowledge and understanding of Cloud based development tools and processes
• Proven experience in designing critical applications that interact with several other systems internally and externally
• Deep knowledge and understanding of software development process in a distributed multi geography team environment
• Good hands-on experience in domain driven modeling and API development.
• Good working knowledge of SRE practices and responsibilities
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills including written and oral
• Proven team player who can mentor other technical members of the team

What will set you apart:

• 10+ years of expertise in Java , Spring boot microservices and Cloud Native technologies or similar (including 2+ years in a lead or principal capacity)
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field
• Architecture level cloud or product certifications

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications of the job. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. You will be evaluated in part based on your performance of the responsibilities and/or tasks listed in this job description. You may be required perform other duties that are not included on this job description. The job description is not a contract for employment, and either you or the employer may terminate employment at any time, for any reason.

What we offer you

We offer an array of diverse and inclusive benefits regardless of where you are in your career. We believe that providing our employees with the means to lead healthy balanced lives results in the best possible work performance.

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• Retirement savings – 401(k) plan with generous company matching contributions (up to 6%), financial advisory services, potential company discretionary contribution, and a broad investment lineup
• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250/year
• Business-casual environment that includes the option to wear jeans
• Generous paid time off upon hire – including a paid time off program plus ten paid company holidays and three floating holidays each calendar year
• Paid volunteer time — 16 hours per calendar year
• Leave of absence programs – including paid parental leave, paid short- and long-term disability, and Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
• Business Resource Groups (BRGs) – BRGs facilitate inclusion and collaboration across our business internally and throughout the communities where we live, work and play. BRGs are open to all.

Base Salary Range

$125,400.00 - $181,875.00

The salary range above shows the typical minimum to maximum base salary range for this position in the location listed. Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation offered may vary from posted hiring range based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer.

Equal opportunity employer Drug-free workplace

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age (40 and over), race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, religion, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law.

***For remote and hybrid positions you will be required to provide reliable high-speed internet with a wired connection as well as a place in your home to work with limited disruption. You must have reliable connectivity from an internet service provider that is fiber, cable or DSL internet. Other necessary computer equipment, will be provided. You may be required to work in the office if you do not have an adequate home work environment and the required internet connection.***

Job Posting End Date at 12:01 am on:

04-30-2026