(USA) Principal, Software Engineer

Walmart; Sunnyvale (CA); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Tuition benefits (Live Better U)

Paid time off

Health benefits

Job summary

Walmart Global Tech is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to lead design and delivery of scalable platform capabilities, driving technical execution across multiple teams in a hybrid, office-centric environment at Sunnyvale.

You’ll apply cloud-native architecture and distributed systems principles to AI-enabled applications and real-time data solutions while mentoring teams and guiding architectural decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, computer information systems, software engineering, or related area.
• 5+ years’ experience in software engineering or related area OR 7+ years’ experience in software engineering or related area.

Responsibilities

• Lead platform engineering efforts to deliver scalable infrastructure and AI/ML frameworks.
• Architect and implement cloud-native, distributed systems with high availability and fault tolerance.
• Oversee full software development lifecycle across multiple teams: coding, testing, deployment, monitoring, and incident response.
• Integrate AI agents and intelligent applications using advanced programming languages and model-driven design principles.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to promote engineering best practices across teams.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define requirements, measure success, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Software engineering

Leadership

Cloud-native

Distributed systems

AI/ML integration

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field

Tools

Java/Spring Boot

Cassandra

Azure SQL

Kafka

Solr

Vespa

Vector DB

Apache Airflow

Job description

Role summary:
The Principal Software Engineer leads the design and delivery of scalable platform capabilities, driving technical execution across multiple teams. This role applies cloud-native architecture and distributed system principles to develop AI-enhanced applications and real-time data solutions. The position requires strategic technical leadership, mentorship, and collaboration with cross-functional partners to align engineering efforts with business objectives. The engineer ensures high-quality software development lifecycle management, fosters innovation, and promotes continuous improvement while maintaining architectural standards and operational excellence in a dynamic environment.

**Immigration Sponsorship support will NOT be available for this
position**

About the team:
Walmart’s Advertising Technology group connects supplier brands with retail shoppers at an unmatched scale. This team of skilled engineers and data scientists operates in an agile environment to address complex, high-impact challenges. They manage billions of ad requests monthly through high-performance ad servers and develop intelligent data systems that ingest, model, and optimize vast data flows from online and in-store activities. Utilizing advanced machine learning and optimization algorithms, the team is committed to delivering exceptional experiences that meet the needs of customers and advertisers alike.
What you'll do:

• Lead platform engineering efforts to deliver scalable infrastructure, reusable tooling, and AI/ML frameworks aligned with strategic roadmaps.
• Architect and implement cloud-native, distributed systems ensuring high availability, scalability, and fault tolerance.
• Oversee full software development lifecycle including coding, testing, deployment, monitoring, and incident response across multiple teams.
• Integrate AI agents and intelligent applications using advanced programming languages and model-driven design principles.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and promote engineering best practices to enhance system interoperability and maintainability.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define requirements, measure success, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

What you'll bring:

• Extensive experience in platform engineering leadership, delivering scalable infrastructure and reusable tooling aligned with strategic roadmaps.
• Deep expertise designing and scaling AdTech platforms and distributed systems leveraging Java/Spring Boot, Cassandra, Azure SQL, Kafka, Solr, Vespa, Vector DB, and Apache Airflow.
• Proven expertise in cloud-native architecture and distributed system design ensuring high availability and fault tolerance.
• Strong technical execution skills across the full software development lifecycle, including CI/CD, testing, and incident response.
• Proficiency in AI/ML integration and building intelligent software systems using languages such as Python, Java, and C++.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical mentorship and influence architectural decisions across teams.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills with cross-functional stakeholders.

About Walmart Global Tech:

Imagine working in an environment where one line of code can make life easier for hundreds of millions of people. That’s what we do at Walmart Global Tech. We’re a team of software engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity expert's and service professionals within the world’s leading retailer who make an epic impact and are at the forefront of the next retail disruption. People are why we innovate, and people power our innovations. We are people-led and tech-empowered.

We train our team in the skillsets of the future and bring in experts like you to help us grow. We have roles for those chasing their first opportunity as well as those looking for the opportunity that will define their career. Here, you can kickstart a great career in tech, gain new skills and experience for virtually every industry, or leverage your expertise to innovate at scale, impact millions and reimagine the future of retail.

Flexible, hybrid work

We use a hybrid way of working with primary in office presence coupled with an optimal mix of virtual presence. We use our campuses to collaborate and be together in person, as business needs require and for

development and networking opportunities. This approach helps us make quicker decisions, remove location barriers across our global team, be more flexible in our personal lives.

Benefits:

• Beyond our great compensation package, you can receive incentive awards for your performance. Other great perks include a host of best-in-class benefits maternity and parental leave, PTO, health benefits, and much more.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Walmart, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer – By Choice. We believe we are best equipped to help our associates, customers and the communities we serve live better when we really know them. That means understanding, respecting and valuing diversity- unique styles, experiences, identities, ideas and opinions – while being inclusive of all people.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed in the role. It is not designed to contain and be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. The full Job Description can be made available as part of the hiring process.

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...

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...

1275 Crossman Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1103, 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.

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.
• Enjoy 401(k) matching and stock purchase plans.
• Paid time off
• Take a break as needed for vacation, sick leave, holidays, parental leave, and more
• 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.