(USA) Principal, Software Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Discount Card

Live Better U program (100% covered)

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) and stock purchase

Paid time off including PTO and more

Job summary

Walmart Inc. is seeking a Principal Software Engineer - Tech Lead to translate requirements into innovative technical solutions and oversee design, development, and testing activities.

This hands-on leadership role directs cross-functional teams to deliver timely, high-quality outcomes while driving root-cause analysis and continuous improvement. The role shapes strategic priorities with business partners and advances AI-enhanced capabilities across products and platforms, acting as a force

Qualifications

• 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.
• 7 years’ experience in software engineering or related area.

Responsibilities

• Lead platform engineering efforts by delivering scalable infrastructure, reusable tooling, and cloud-native architectures aligned with strategic roadmaps.
• Drive full software development lifecycle activities including design, coding, 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 to engineering teams, promoting best practices and innovation.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business needs into actionable technical requirements and measurable outcomes.
• Maintain architectural documentation to ensure transparency and alignment.
• Foster continuous improvement by integrating new technologies and optimizing processes.
• Build AI-powered capabilities, such as LLM-driven automation, agentic workflows, anomaly detection with the right guardrails

Skills

Platform engineering leadership

Cloud-native architectures

CI/CD

AI/ML integration

Python

Java

C++

Microservices

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science/engineering or related field

Tools

NoSQL databases

Kafka

Azure

GCP

Java/Spring Boot

Job description

Position Summary...

What you'll do...

Role summary:
ThePrincipalSoftwareEngineer-Techleadscomplex,large-scaleprojectsbytranslatingrequirementsintoinnovativetechnicalsolutionsandoverseeingdesign,development,andtestingactivities.Thisroledirectscross-functionalengineeringteams,ensuringtimelydeliveryandhigh-qualityoutcomeswhiledrivingrootcauseanalysisandcontinuousimprovement.Collaboratingcloselywithbusinesspartners,thepositionshapesstrategicprioritiesandfosterseffectivecommunicationacrossstakeholders.You'llalsoshapehowAIfitsintwoways:ascapabilitiesinsideourproductsandplatforms,andasaforcemultiplierforhowourengineersdesign,build,test,andrunsoftware.Thisisahands-ontechnicalleadershiprole.
About the team:
Our team develops and scales core platform services supporting high-traffic systems across the business. We design and deliver robust microservices using technologies such as Java/Spring Boot, NoSQL databases, Kafka messaging, and cloud platforms like Azure and GCP. Managing the full software lifecycle, we ensure system reliability and performance. The team builds technology behind critical customer transactions, enabling seamless cart building, discount application, and checkout processes. Operating at large scale, our services remain dependable during peak events. We are advancing the platform by integrating AI to enhance system intelligence and engineering efficiency.
What you'll do:

• Leadplatformengineeringeffortsbydeliveringscalableinfrastructure,reusabletooling,andcloud-nativearchitecturesalignedwithstrategicroadmaps.
• Drivefullsoftwaredevelopmentlifecycleactivitiesincludingdesign,coding,testing,deployment,andmaintenanceacrossmultipleteams.
• ArchitectandimplementAI-enhancedapplicationsandintelligentsystemssupportingmillionsofusers.
• Providetechnicalleadershipandmentorshiptoengineeringteams,promotingbestpracticesandinnovation.
• Collaboratewithstakeholderstotranslatebusinessneedsintoactionabletechnicalrequirementsandmeasurableoutcomes.
• Maintainarchitecturaldocumentationtoensuretransparencyandalignment.
• Fostercontinuousimprovementbyintegratingnewtechnologiesandoptimizingprocesses.
• BuildAI-poweredcapabilities,suchasLLM-drivenautomation,agenticworkflows,anomalydetectionwiththerightguardrails

What you'll bring:

• Extensiveexperienceinplatformengineeringleadership,deliveringscalable,cloud-nativearchitecturesandreusabletooling.
• Provenexpertiseinsoftwaredevelopmentlifecyclemanagement,includingCI/CD,testing,observability,andincidentresponse.
• StrongproficiencyinAI/MLintegrationandbuildingintelligentsoftwaresystemsusinglanguagessuchasPython,Java,andC++.
• Demonstratedabilitytoapplymodel-drivendesignandtechnicalsolutiondesigntocomplexdistributedsystems.
• Exceptionalproblem-solvingskillswithafocusoninnovationandcontinuousimprovement.
• Effectivementorshipandleadershipcapabilitiestoguideengineeringteamsandinfluencearchitecturaldecisions.
• ExperiencewithMCPorsimilarpatternsforconnectingAIagentstoenterprisesystemsandtools

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 - $286,000.00Additional 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...

815 Eleventh Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94089-4731, United States of AmericaWalmart 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.

Walmart is 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.

Benefits you’ll enjoy

Discount Card

Get 10% off

Walmart associates are eligible for a 10% discount card on most regular-priced items and fresh produce in-store and on select items at Walmart.com. Eligible after 90 days of employment.

Live Better U

100% covered

Earn a degree or in-demand skills certificates with no debt- Walmart covers 100% of tuition and books. Live Better U offers 60+ programs for Associates to pursue their dreams.

Ready to grow your career? Walmart Academy offers job-specific retail training and leadership courses to help Associates reach their career goals.

Medical, dental, vision, and wellness programs for you and your family

Access mental health resources and assistance programs for life’s challenges

Training, leadership programs, and clear paths to advance.

Imagine a workplace surrounded by innovation.At Walmart’s new Home Office in Bentonville, Arkansas, we’re redefining what it means to work at a global leader.

Set on 350 acres of thoughtfully revitalized land, our new campus seamlessly integrates the charm of Northwest Arkansas with cutting edge design and technology. From biking trails and outdoor courtyards to flexible, tech-enabled workspaces, every detail reflects our commitment to sustainability, connection, and culture.

With amenities like on-site childcare at our Little Squiggles Children’s Enrichment Center, the Walton Family Whole Health & Fitness Center, and a vibrant food hall featuring local and international favorites, we’re creating a space where work-life balance isn’t just a goal—it’s a reality.
Beyond the campus, Bentonville offers a dynamic lifestyle with world‑class dining, art at the Crystal Bridges Museum, and countless outdoor activities.

Whether you’re exploring High South cuisine, enjoying live performances at our new amphitheater, or cycling the Razorback Greenway, you’ll experience the perfect blend of small-town charm and big‑city amenities.

Join us at Walmart and grow your career alongside a community that feels like home.

This isn’t just a workplace—it’s a destination for leaders eager to make a difference.

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