Principal Software Engineer - AI-Driven Network

Spectrum Effect; Kirkland (WA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Flexible work environment

Competitive salary

Job summary

Spectrum Effect is hiring a Principal Software Engineer to design, develop, and deploy high-performance software while setting best practices and standards. You will own solutions end-to-end, translate RF requirements into robust software, and mentor engineers in quality and security practices.

Ideal candidates thrive in ambiguity, drive cross-functional collaboration, and communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders. Hybrid, Seattle-area or relocation preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering or equivalent.
• 7+ years of Python, Go, Rust, C++, or related experience and 10+ years of software development overall.
• Experience designing real-time and near-real-time systems with ML inference.
• Experience with distributed systems, databases, and messaging systems.
• Strong Linux knowledge and architecture skills.
• Ability to own solutions from design through implementation.
• Comfort with ambiguity, fast-paced startup environment, and speed-versus-quality trade-offs.
• Strong judgment, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience in a leadership or senior engineering role.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead rapid design, development, and iteration of software solutions and features.
• Translate complex RF requirements into technically sound software with business alignment.
• Navigate ambiguity with a pragmatic, structured approach and balance speed and quality.
• Communicate complex software concepts to diverse stakeholders, including executives.
• Provide technical mentoring to engineers, improving processes, quality, security, and reliability.

Skills

Python

Go

Rust

C++

System design

Distributed systems

Linux

Leadership

Technical communication

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering or equivalent

Tools

Kubernetes

Helm

Docker

Kafka

NoSQL databases (MongoDB, InfluxDB)

Job description

Do you thrive in environments where you are empowered to make impactful decisions and bring clarity to complex problems? Do you want to be part of a fast-moving high-growth company? Come and join us atSpectrum Effect!

Spectrum Effect’s mission is to solve the most challenging and costly problems in the wireless industry through innovation and AI-powered automation. Our team is passionate about creating disruptive technologies, developing solutions with engineering excellence, and delivering substantial value to our customers. Deployed by leading mobile operators across the globe, our Spectrum-NET software solution performs automated AI-driven analysis of radio access networks. Spectrum-NET is a cloud-native, horizontally scalable solution based on a Kubernetes-orchestrated microservices architecture.

Our 60+ person team is located primarily in Seattle (U.S.) and Monterrey (Mexico), with team members enjoying ownership in our private company through stock options and competitive salaries. This is an amazing opportunity to join an emerging leader in the AI automation space and make a real impact on the mobile industry.

Job Description
We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer with a strong aptitude for designing, developing, and deploying high-performance software solutions while defining best practices and technical standards. The ideal candidate will excel in navigating ambiguity, driving cross-functional collaboration, and translating complex technical concepts or insights into thoughtful solutions.

We are looking for someone who can:

• Solution Ownership: Lead the rapid design, development, and iteration of software solutions and features.
• System Translation: Work with system engineers to translate complex technical RF requirements and deliver top-tier software solutions that are technically sound, feasible, and aligned with business objectives.
• Comfort with Ambiguity: Thrive in a fast-paced startup environment with shifting priorities. Maintain a pragmatic, solutions-oriented outlook and balance speed versus quality trade-offs effectively. Bring structure and clarity when navigating situations with high uncertainty.
• Technical Communication: Communicate complex software concepts effectively to both internal and external stakeholders, including executive audiences.
• Mentoring: Provide technical guidance to software engineers, particularly in areas like improving engineering processes, ensuring software quality and security standards, and ensuring system reliability and performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering or equivalent
• Minimum of 7 years of Python, Go, Rust, C++, or similar related experience and 10+ years of general software development experience
• Experience designing and building real-time and near-real-time systems, including ML inference
• Experience with distributed systems, databases, and messaging systems
• Strong Linux knowledge with hands-on experience.
• Strong knowledge of software architecture principles and ability to contribute to architectural discussions
• Ability to independently own solutions from design through implementation and iteration
• Comfortable working with ambiguity, shifting priorities, and speed-versus-quality & coverage trade-offs.
• Strong judgment, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
• Experience working in a leadership or senior engineering role
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of engaging with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Curiosity and willingness to learn domain-specific telecom and RF related technology.
• Preferred Skills
• Experience with technologies such as Kubernetes, Helm, Docker, Kafka, or NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB, InfluxDB)
• Familiarity with data/ML techniques and libraries such as NumPy and SciPy is a plus.
• Familiarity with modern front-end technologies and frameworks, including JavaScript/TypeScript, Angular, React, or Vue.js.
• Experience working with modern deployment techniques and practices, such as CI/CD pipelines and deployment automation
• Understanding of RAN (Radio Access Network) concepts, including cells, sites, controllers, and topologies

Why Join Us

• Dynamic Team:Collaborate with passionate experts driving real innovation in the telecom space
• Career Growth:Work on high-impact problems with real ownership and visibility
• Meaningful Work:Help shape the next generation of ML-driven network analytics
• Attractive Benefits:Competitive salary, stock options, and a flexible work environment

Do you have the technical chops and product sense to help shape the future of wireless automation? Apply now—your next big opportunity starts here.

U.S. Person status is required for this position due to contractual obligations. This is a hybrid position. The candidate should be based in or willing to relocate to the Greater Seattle Area.