Principal, Software Engineer

As a Principal Software Engineer, you'll define the technical direction for one of the core capabilities within WatchTower, the engineering operating system for Marketplace. You'll solve complex engineering problems, influence architecture across multiple teams, and build platforms that improve how thousands of engineers develop, deploy, operate, and support software.

This role combines deep technical expertise with strategic influence to shape the future of engineering across Marketplace.

About the team: The Marketplace Platform Reliability team develops and maintains engineering systems that enable thousands of engineers to deliver reliable, scalable, and high-performing software. This team manages platforms, operational intelligence, AI capabilities, and engineering standards to enhance productivity and system reliability.

Focused on innovation and continuous improvement, the team drives technical excellence through collaboration, strategic alignment, and effective program management. Members design robust, scalable solutions supporting business growth while optimizing operational efficiency and maintaining high-quality standards across the Marketplace organization.

• Define the technical vision and architecture for a core WatchTower platform capability.
• Design and build highly scalable distributed systems that improve reliability, developer productivity, and operational intelligence.
• Partner with engineering leaders to drive architecture, engineering standards, and technical strategy across Marketplace.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership across multiple teams without direct organizational authority.
• Drive innovation through AI, automation, cloud-native technologies, and modern software engineering practices.

• Deep expertise designing and building large-scale distributed systems or platform software.
• Strong background in cloud-native architecture, microservices, Kubernetes, and modern software engineering practices.
• Experience leading architecture across multiple teams and influencing technical direction through engineering leadership.
• Proven ability to solve complex technical problems and deliver scalable platform capabilities.
• Experience with developer platforms, operational tooling, AI, observability, or infrastructure engineering.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence engineers and leaders across large organizations.

The annual salary range for this position is $110,000.00 - $220,000.00

Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly performance bonuses.

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.

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.

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