Senior Principal Software Engineer - ITSI

Splunk; Seattle (WA); Remote; USD 218,000 - 334,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Principal Software Engineer to lead the architectural vision for their IT Service Intelligence product. This role involves driving technical strategy, mentoring engineers, and optimizing system performance to deliver high-quality solutions. The ideal candidate will possess deep software engineering expertise, particularly in Java, C++, or Python, and have experience with enterprise-scale on-prem solutions. Join a collaborative team that values creativity and innovation while making a significant impact in the field of observability and IT operations. This is a fantastic opportunity to grow your career while contributing to meaningful projects.

Benefits

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan and match

Paid time off

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in software engineering with a focus on enterprise solutions.
• Proficient in building and tuning highly concurrent systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural vision for ITSI, ensuring alignment with broader strategies.
• Mentor senior engineers and guide them on best practices.

Skills

Software Engineering

Java

C++

Python

REST-based services

Problem-solving skills

Collaboration and communication

Agile development processes

Education

Bachelor's in Computer Science

Master's in Computer Science

PhD in Computer Science

Tools

AWS

Azure

Google Cloud

Job description

Senior Principal Software Engineer - ITSI

Engineering Remote, San Jose, CA, Seattle, Washington, California, Washington D.C., Washington, Texas

Splunk, a Cisco company, is building a safer and more resilient digital world with an end-to-end full stack platform made for a hybrid, multi-cloud world. Leading enterprises use our unified security and observability platform to keep their digital systems secure and reliable. Our customers love our technology, but it's our caring employees that make Splunk stand out as an amazing career destination. No matter where in the world or what level of the organization, we approach our work with kindness. So bring your work experience, problem-solving skills and talent, of course, but also bring your joy, your passion and all the things that make you, you. Come help organizations be their best, while you reach new heights with a team that has your back.

Role Summary

We’re looking for an outstanding Senior Principal Engineer to lead and drive technical strategy and execution for Splunk’s IT Service Intelligence (ITSI) product—a pillar of Splunk’s Observability portfolio. In this role, you will work across teams and functions to define architectural direction, tackle complex engineering challenges, and deliver best-in-class solutions that help our customers derive actionable intelligence for their IT Operations (ITOps).

What you'll get to do

• Lead and own the architectural vision and long-range technical direction for our on-prem ITSI solution, collaborating with executive and engineering leads to ensure alignment with Splunk’s broader Observability strategy.
• Shape product roadmaps and engineering approaches across teams, offering guidance beyond your immediate group to ensure consistent methods and high-quality outcomes.
• Mentor and guide other senior engineers and technical leaders, raising the bar on architecture reviews, coding practices, and innovative thinking.
• Track market trends, competitor offerings, and emerging technologies, keeping Splunk’s ITSI ahead in Observability for ITOps.
• Collaborate with product management, UX, and operations to deliver secure, scalable, high-performing software.
• Contribute to big-picture architecture decisions that keep our solutions relevant and prepared for AIOps and ITOM advancements.
• Optimize system performance, scalability, and reliability to meet enterprise standards around networking, security, and compliance.
• Engage with customers and internal teams to gather insights, turning their feedback into practical enhancements.
• Stay current with industry developments, identifying new technologies and incorporating them where they can create real value.

Must-have Qualifications

• Deep background in software engineering, including operating systems, networks, data structures, algorithms, and distributed systems
• Proven success delivering secure, scalable, high-performance on-prem solutions at enterprise scale
• Proficiency in Java, C++, or Python, with experience building and tuning highly concurrent systems
• Experience creating REST-based services with clear contracts
• Solid grasp of modern web standards, responsive design, and full-stack web technologies (including React)
• Strong problem-solving skills, creative thinking, and an interest in distilling complex concepts
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with experience guiding and mentoring senior engineers
• Self-starter who leads initiatives and partners effectively to design and deliver features
• Familiarity with Agile development processes
• Bachelor’s in Computer Science (or equivalent) with 15+ years of related experience; or Master’s with 12+ years; or PhD with 8+ years

Nice-to-have Qualifications

We’ve taken special care to separate the must-have qualifications from the nice-to-haves. “Nice-to-have” means just that: Nice. To. Have. So, don’t worry if you can’t check off every box. We’re not hiring a list of bullet points–we’re interested in the whole you.

• Understanding of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)
• Experience with Continuous Delivery (CD) environments
• Experience building solutions for high-compliance industries (finance, healthcare, etc.)
• Contributions to open-source projects or involvement in technical communities

Splunk is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Splunk, we believe creating a culture of belonging isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s also the smart thing. We prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging to ensure our employees are supported to bring their best, most authentic selves to work where they can thrive. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

Note:

Base Pay Range

SF Bay Area, Seattle Metro, and New York City Metro Area

Base Pay Range: $242,400.00 - 333,300.00 per year

California (excludes SF Bay Area), Washington (excludes Seattle Metro), Washington DC Metro, and Massachusetts

Base Pay Range: $218,160.00 - 299,970.00 per year

All other cities and states excluding California, Washington, Massachusetts, New York City Metro Area and Washington DC Metro Area.

Base Pay Range: $193,920.00 - 266,640.00 per year

Splunk provides flexibility and choice in the working arrangement for most roles, including remote and/or in-office roles. We have a market-based pay structure which varies by location. Please note that the base pay range is a guideline and for candidates who receive an offer, the base pay will vary based on factors such as work location as set out above, as well as the knowledge, skills and experience of the candidate. In addition to base pay, this role is eligible for incentive compensation and may be eligible for equity or long-term cash awards.

Benefits are an important part of Splunk's Total Rewards package. This role is eligible for a competitive benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, a 401(k) plan and match, paid time off and much more! Learn more about our next-level benefits at https://splunkbenefits.com.