Principal Software Engineer

Ladders; United States; Remote; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work environment

Remote work

Continuous learning opportunities

Transparent compensation

Job summary

Ladders is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to shape the technical foundation for a mission-driven finance and insurance platform. You will guide architecture decisions for a core platform, mentor engineers, and partner with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, reliable systems.

This remote US-based role offers a competitive compensation package and a culture focused on ownership, continuous learning, and transparent growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of technical leadership and mentorship experience.
• Expertise in designing complex, distributed backend systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams across an organization.
• Experience with Agile software development and full-stack architecture.

Responsibilities

• Architect the core platform to ensure scalability and reliability
• Set technical direction and elevate code quality from design through deployment
• Lead cross-functional initiatives that require technical alignment
• Promote architectural integrity and technical best practices
• Mentor and guide the engineering team to foster a culture of ownership
• Maintain engagement across teams to build resilient systems
• Address technical debt and resolve incidents promptly

Skills

Technical leadership

Distributed backend design

Communication

Cross-functional influence

Agile development

Full-stack architecture

Tools

Ruby on Rails

Job description

For our client, we are seeking a Principal Software Engineer to join the team of a leader in the Finance & Insurance space.
This role will play a key part in shaping the technical foundation of a mission-driven organization that supports small businesses. The ideal candidate will guide architecture decisions for a core platform, strengthen engineering practices, and help deliver scalable, reliable systems that support business growth. You will partner closely with engineering and cross-functional stakeholders to improve execution, manage technical risk, and elevate overall software quality.
Location: Remote - US based candidates only, no visa sponsorship available
Compensation: $200,000 - $250,000 annually

Responsibilities

• Architect the core platform to ensure scalability and reliability
• Set technical direction and elevate code quality from design through deployment
• Lead cross-functional initiatives that require technical alignment
• Promote architectural integrity and technical best practices
• Mentor and guide the engineering team to foster a culture of ownership
• Maintain engagement across teams to build resilient systems
• Address technical debt and resolve incidents promptly

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in technical leadership and mentorship
• Deep expertise in designing complex, distributed backend systems
• Proficiency in Ruby on Rails and scalable architectures
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Significant ability to influence cross-functional teams
• Experience in agile software development and full-stack architecture
• Passion for continuous learning and self-development

Benefits

• Mission-driven company focused on supporting small businesses
• Flexible work environment with options for remote or hybrid work
• Empowered employees with flexible hours
• Commitment to fair and transparent compensation
• Focus on continuous learning and professional development opportunities

Our client is an equal opportunity employer.