Principal SWE - Internal Only

careers-indeed; United States; Remote; USD 202,000 - 304,000; Full time

Job summary

Indeed is seeking a Software Engineer V to provide technical leadership on cross-cutting platforms and systems enabling teams to build high-impact products at scale.

You will guide architectural decisions, collaborate with senior engineers and product leaders, and drive adoption of new technologies while delivering practical, scalable solutions that create business and user value.

Qualifications

• Proven experience designing and operating distributed systems, service-oriented architectures, and APIs at scale.
• Proficiency with data storage and access patterns, including SQL and NoSQL systems.
• Experience evaluating or working with emerging technologies and integrating them into production systems.
• Sense of ownership and accountability as a technical leader, with the ability to influence without direct authority.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills across technical and business contexts.

Responsibilities

• Own the design and evolution of shared platforms, frameworks, or services that support multiple teams or product areas.
• Provide architectural guidance and direct technical leadership for complex initiatives spanning teams or organizations.
• Evaluate, experiment with, and guide adoption of emerging technologies to improve scalability, efficiency, reliability, or developer productivity.
• Balance technical innovation with operational excellence, including cost, performance, security, and reliability considerations.
• Mentor and influence engineers across disciplines, supporting technical excellence and long-term growth.
• Partner closely with product managers and business partners to align technical strategy with business goals.
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Skills

Distributed systems design

APIs at scale

SQL/NoSQL data stores

Emerging technologies evaluation

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering or related field

Master's degree with 8+ years experience

PhD with 5+ years experience

Job description

Your job

As a Software Engineer V at Indeed, you will provide technical leadership on complex, cross-cutting platforms and systems that enable teams across the company to build high-impact products efficiently and responsibly. You’ll work on initiatives that operate at scale, shape technical direction across multiple teams, and influence how new technologies are adopted and applied.

In this role, you’ll collaborate closely with senior engineers, product leaders, and cross-functional partners to design extensible solutions, guide architectural decisions, and improve developer and system capabilities across Indeed. You’ll stay current on emerging technologies and help translate new capabilities into practical, scalable solutions that deliver business and user value.

Who you are

• Own the design and evolution of shared platforms, frameworks, or services that support multiple teams or product areas.
• Provide architectural guidance and direct technical leadership for complex initiatives spanning teams or organizations.
• Evaluate, experiment with, and guide adoption of emerging technologies to improve scalability, efficiency, reliability, or developer productivity.
• Balance technical innovation with operational excellence, including cost, performance, security, and reliability considerations.
• Mentor and influence engineers across disciplines, supporting technical excellence and long-term growth.
• Partner closely with product managers and business partners to align technical strategy with business goals.
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Who we are

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field and a minimum of 12 years of related experience; or a Master's degree with a minimum of 8 years of experience; or a PhD with 5 years experience
• Proven experience designing and operating distributed systems, service-oriented architectures, and APIs at scale.
• Proficiency with data storage and access patterns, including SQL and NoSQL systems.
• Experience evaluating or working with emerging technologies and integrating them into production systems.
• Sense of ownership and accountability as a technical leader, with the ability to influence without direct authority.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills across technical and business contexts.

Our mission

As the world’s number 1 job site*, our mission is to help people get jobs. We strive to cultivate an inclusive and accessible workplace where all people feel comfortable being themselves. We're looking to grow our teams with more people who share our enthusiasm for innovation and creating the best experience for job seekers.

(*Comscore, Total Visits, March 2026)

Salary Range Disclaimer

The salary range for this role reflects the minimum and maximum compensation for the role. Offers are typically made between the range minimum and the range midpoint. Actual compensation will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process. The range(s) listed is just one component of Indeed's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include quarterly bonuses, Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), a Paid Time Off policy, and many region-specific benefits. Compensation may also vary based on where a role is performed, as work locations are grouped into geographic pay tiers to reflect cost of labor differences in different geographic markets. Candidates can view geographic pay tiers by location on our career site (https://www.indeed.com/careers/paytiers), and recruiters can confirm how location is considered for a specific role.

Salary Range Transparency

Tier 3 - United States of America 202,000 - 304,000 USD per year

EEO and Accommodations

Indeed is deeply committed to building a workplace and global community where inclusion is not only valued, but prioritized. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, neuro-diversity, disability, age, or veteran status, or any other non-merit based or legally protected grounds.

Indeed provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the employment application process. To request an accommodation, please visit https://www.indeed.com/careers/accommodations. If you are requesting accommodation for an interview, please reach out at least one week in advance of your interview.

For more information about our commitment to equal opportunity/affirmative action, please visit our Careers page (https://www.indeed.com/careers).

Inclusion & Belonging

Inclusion and belonging are fundamental to our hiring practices and company culture, forming an integral part of our vision for a better world of work. At Indeed, we’re committed to the wellbeing of our employees and on a mission to make this the best place to work and thrive. We believe that fostering an inclusive environment where every employee feels respected and accepted benefits everyone, fueling innovation and creativity.

We value diverse experiences, including those who have had prior contact with the criminal legal system. We are committed to providing individuals with criminal records, including formerly incarcerated individuals, a fair chance at employment.

Those with military experience are encouraged to apply. Equivalent expertise demonstrated through a combination of work experience, training, military experience, or education is welcome.

Privacy Policy

Like other employers Indeed uses our own technologies to help us find and attract top talent from around the world. In addition to our site’s user and privacy policy found at https://www.indeed.com/legal, we also want to make you aware of our recruitment specific privacy policy found at https://www.indeed.com/legal/indeed-jobs.Agency Disclaimer

Indeed does not pay placement fees for unsolicited resumes or referrals from non-candidates, including search firms, staffing agencies, professional recruiters, fee-based referral services, and recruiting agencies (each individually, an "Agency"), subject to local laws. An Agency seeking a placement fee must obtain advance written approval from Indeed's internal Talent Acquisition team and execute a fee agreement with Indeed for each job opening before making a referral or submitting a resume for that opening.AI NoticeIndeed is committed to ensuring fairness and transparency throughout our hiring process. We use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the screening, assessment, and selection of applicants for this position by analyzing information provided in resumes and applications. Our use of AI does not replace human decision-making.

Unless otherwise notified, Indeed does not use AI constituting an AEDT or an ADMT as those tools are defined in applicable laws.

U.S. Remote Only - Posting Duration: The deadline to apply to this position is 10/6/2026. Job postings may be extended at the hiring team’s discretion based on applicant volume.

U.S. Remote & Massachusetts Roles

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.