Principal, Software Engineer - Backend

Walmart; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 143,000 - 286,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Stock purchase plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Education assistance (Live Better U)

Job summary

Walmart in Sunnyvale, CA is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to lead design and delivery of scalable platform capabilities and AI-enhanced applications. You will drive cloud-native architectures, distributed systems, and the full software lifecycle across multiple teams.

You will provide technical leadership, mentor engineers, translate business needs into actionable requirements, and ensure high availability and performance of critical systems serving millions of users.

Qualifications

• Option 1: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, computer information systems, software engineering, or related area and 5 years’ experience in software engineering or related area.
• Option 2: 7 years’ experience in software engineering or related area.

Responsibilities

• Lead platform engineering efforts to deliver scalable, cloud-native infrastructure and reusable tooling aligned with strategic roadmaps.
• Drive full software development lifecycle management, including design, testing, deployment, and maintenance across multiple teams.
• Architect and implement AI-enhanced applications and intelligent systems supporting millions of users.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship, promoting engineering excellence and standardization across teams.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business needs into actionable technical requirements and measurable success metrics.
• Ensure high system availability, scalability, and fault tolerance through sound architectural decisions.
• Foster continuous improvement by integrating feedback, adopting new technologies, and optimizing processes.

Skills

Python

Java

C++

Cloud computing

Distributed systems

API design

Leadership

Mentoring

Technical leadership

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science / Computer Engineering / Software Engineering

Master’s degree in Computer Science / Software Engineering

Job description

Position Summary…

What you’ll do…

As a Principal Software Engineer at Walmart, you will lead the design and delivery of scalable platform capabilities and AI-enhanced applications, driving technical excellence across multiple teams. This role requires expertise in cloud-native architecture, distributed systems, and full software development lifecycle management. You will provide strategic technical leadership, mentor engineering teams, and collaborate with cross-functional partners to translate complex business needs into innovative solutions. Your contributions will support Walmart’s long-term technology vision, ensuring high availability, reliability, and continuous improvement of critical software systems serving millions of users.
About the team:
Walmart Connect’s Sponsored Search team builds scalable, high-performance systems that enhance search advertising on Walmart’s digital platform. Utilizing extensive retail data, advanced machine learning, and real-time APIs, the team optimizes ad placements to deliver measurable results. Focused on cloud-native architectures and AI-driven solutions, members collaborate across disciplines to design and implement technical solutions that efficiently connect shoppers with relevant products. The team drives innovation in search technology, supporting Walmart’s commitment to exceptional digital experiences at scale through robust engineering and continuous improvement.
What you’ll do:

• Lead platform engineering efforts to deliver scalable, cloud-native infrastructure and reusable tooling aligned with strategic roadmaps.
• Drive full software development lifecycle management, including design, testing, deployment, and maintenance across multiple teams.
• Architect and implement AI-enhanced applications and intelligent systems supporting millions of users.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship, promoting engineering excellence and standardization across teams.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business needs into actionable technical requirements and measurable success metrics.
• Ensure high system availability, scalability, and fault tolerance through sound architectural decisions.
• Foster continuous improvement by integrating feedback, adopting new technologies, and optimizing processes.

What you’ll bring:

• 10+ years of extensive experience in platform engineering leadership, delivering scalable, cloud-native architectures and reusable tooling.
• Proven ability to lead full software development lifecycles, including design, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
• Expertise in AI/ML integration and building intelligent software systems using languages such as Python, Java, and C++.
• Strong skills in technical solution design, debugging, and requirements analysis.
• Demonstrated capability in mentoring engineers and influencing architectural decisions.
• Proficiency with API design, cloud computing architecture, and model-driven design methodologies.
• Excellent problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills across technical and non-technical stakeholders.

At Walmart, we offer competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet. Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage. Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance. Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting. Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more. You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes. The amount you receive depends on your job classification and length of employment. It will meet or exceed the requirements of paid sick leave laws, where applicable. For information about PTO, see https://one.walmart.com/notices. Live Better U is a Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam’s Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor’s degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to a specific plan or program terms.
For information about benefits and eligibility, see One.Walmart.
The annual salary range for this position is $143,000.00 - $286,000.00 Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly performance bonuses. Additional compensation for certain positions may also include :

• Stock

Minimum Qualifications…

Outlined below are the required minimum qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no minimum qualifications.

Option 1: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, computer information systems, software engineering, or related area and 5 years’ experience in software engineering or related area.
Option 2: 7 years’ experience in software engineering or related area.

Preferred Qualifications…

Outlined below are the optional preferred qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no preferred qualifications.

Master’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, computer information systems, software engineering, or related area and 3 years’ experience in software engineering or related area., We value candidates with a background in creating inclusive digital experiences, demonstrating knowledge in implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standards, assistive technologies, and integrating digital accessibility seamlessly. The ideal candidate would have knowledge of accessibility best practices and join us as we continue to create accessible products and services following Walmart’s accessibility standards and guidelines for supporting an inclusive culture.

Primary Location…

1345 Crossman Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1114, United States of America

Walmart and its subsidiaries are committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and has a no tolerance policy regarding the use of illegal drugs and alcohol on the job. This policy applies to all employees and aims to create a safe and productive work environment.