Principal Software Engineer

STAFFXPERT LLC is seeking a Principal Software Engineer on behalf of our client in Centralia, WA We are looking for a highly experienced software engineering professional to lead the design and development of complex backend systems and scalable software solutions. The ideal candidate will provide technical leadership, mentor engineering teams, and drive best practices across software architecture, development, performance, and reliability. Key Responsibilities Lead the architecture, design, and development of complex, scalable backend systems. Develop high-quality, maintainable, and reusable software solutions. Design and implement APIs, microservices, and database-integrated applications. Provide technical direction and guidance to engineering teams. Conduct code reviews and establish software development best practices. Mentor engineers and promote strong engineering standards. Translate business and product requirements into effective technical solutions. Troubleshoot complex technical issues and improve system performance, scalability, and reliability. Collaborate with product, operations, and business stakeholders to define and deliver technical solutions. Contribute to technology roadmaps, architecture decisions, and long-term engineering strategy. Promote continuous improvement in development processes, coding standards, testing, and delivery practices. Apply modern software engineering practices, including version control, CI/CD, automated testing, and code reviews. Required Qualifications

Strong foundation in Computer Science, including algorithms, data structures, and software architecture. Proven experience delivering production-grade software applications. Strong backend development experience, including APIs, microservices, and database integration. Advanced knowledge of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) and scalable software design. Experience working as a Technical Lead, Principal Engineer, or similar senior technical leadership role. Strong understanding of software development lifecycle, testing, version control, CI/CD, and code review practices. Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers and influence technical decisions. Excellent communication and collaboration skills with technical and non-technical stakeholders. Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience. Preferred Qualifications Experience with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Experience designing and operating distributed systems. Strong understanding of scalable and highly available software architectures. Experience establishing engineering standards and contributing to technology roadmaps. Demonstrated commitment to high-quality, ethical, and inclusive engineering practices.