> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2789897-software-engineer-core-platform-growth-lounge](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2789897-software-engineer-core-platform-growth-lounge). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Software Engineer Core Platform & Growth / Lounge - **Company:** Lounge By Zalando - **Location:** Berlin, Germany - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, Cloud Computing, Cloud Engineering, Data Infrastructure, DevOps, Java Virtual Machine (JVM), Machine Learning, Pair Programming, AI Infrastructure, Cloud Platform System, Backend, Kotlin, Kubernetes, Apache Kafka, Microservices - **Published:** September 8, 2026 - **Apply:** https://startup.jobs/principal-software-engineer-core-platform-growth-lounge-by-zalando-all-genders-zalando-se-9946722 ## About the Role * Extensive Backend Expertise: You have a strong track record of designing, building, and operating distributed, highly available backend systems. While we rely heavily on Kotlin and the JVM ecosystem, your broad foundational architectural skills and ability to adapt matter most. * Cloud & Data Platform Experience: You are comfortable working in modern cloud-native environments (e.g., AWS, Kubernetes) and have a solid understanding of data infrastructure, streaming pipelines (like Kafka), and operational best practices. * Applied AI Knowledge: You have experience bringing machine learning or GenAI solutions into production, understanding the broad nuances of observability, evaluation, and scaling these systems reliably for real users. * Cross-Team Leadership: You possess a proven ability to lead without formal authority. You are experienced in guiding cross-functional teams, shaping technical strategies across multiple domains, and driving alignment on complex architectural decisions. * Exceptional Communication: You can distill complex technical concepts into clear, actionable insights for both engineering peers and non-technical stakeholders, whether in writing or in architectural forums. ## Description Are you a seasoned technical leader passionate about building scalable platforms and elevating the engineering craft around you? Lounge by Zalando is our thriving off-price shopping club, serving millions of members across 20+ European markets. In this role, you will act as a key technical anchor for the Core Platform & Growth, while also stepping up to drive Lounge-wide engineering initiatives. You will help shape the architecture of our growth engine-spanning event-driven pipelines, lifecycle messaging, and modern AI infrastructure. Beyond your immediate domain, you will play a pivotal role in enabling other missions and teams across Lounge, helping them deliver robust solutions and make better, more informed technical decisions. If you thrive on multiplying the impact of engineers around you and driving broad architectural excellence, this role is for you., * Architect Scalable Platforms: Shape the technical direction for our core growth, data, and AI infrastructure. You will guide the evolution of event-driven microservices and high-throughput pipelines, ensuring reliability and sustainable scale. * Drive Lounge-Wide Technical Initiatives: Look beyond your immediate mission to lead cross-team engineering efforts. You will enable other teams across Lounge to make better technical decisions, sharing best practices and fostering a cohesive architectural vision. * Enable AI & Modern Engineering Practices: Help transition GenAI initiatives from prototype to robust, production-ready platforms. You will guide teams in adopting modern engineering workflows, including the effective, secure use of AI coding assistants and evaluation tooling. * Multiply Engineering Impact: Act as a mentor and coach to senior engineers. Rather than centralizing knowledge, you will elevate the technical craft of those around you through thoughtful architecture reviews, pair programming, and clear architectural guidelines. * Represent and Contribute: Engage actively with Zalando's broader Principal Engineering community and guilds. You will champion engineering excellence, author architecture decision records (ADRs), and help establish the standards that others build upon. * Drive Business & Product Initiatives: Partner with Project Management to deliver complex product and business initiatives across the entire Lounge organization. ## Related Videos - [From DevOps to Scaled DevOps: How We’re Rebuilding Continuous Delivery as a Platform](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100018-from-devops-to-scaled-devops-how-we-re-rebuilding-continuous-delivery-as-a-platform) - [Kotlin Multiplatform - True power of native code reuse](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/4-kotlin-multiplatform-true-power-of-native-code-reuse) - [Developing the Backend with Stefan Lingler, CTO at Shpock](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100360-developing-the-backend-with-stefan-lingler-cto-at-shpock) - [Empowering Thousands of Developers: Our Journey to an Internal Developer Platform](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1519-empowering-thousands-of-developers-our-journey-to-an-internal-developer-platform) - [DevOps Maturity Check – a way to balance autonomy and alignment](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/58-devops-maturity-check-a-way-to-balance-autonomy-and-alignment) - [Inside Bitpanda's Tech Stack: Scaling a European Fintech Leader - Markus Dorner](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1979-inside-bitpanda-s-tech-stack-scaling-a-european-fintech-leader-markus-dorner) ## Related Articles - [The Biggest German Tech Companies](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/424-the-biggest-german-tech-companies) - [Where To Find Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/396-where-to-find-software-engineering-jobs) - [The Most Popular IT Jobs on the Market](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/376-the-most-popular-it-jobs-on-the-market) - [7 Most Popular Web Developer Jobs in Europe](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/163-7-most-popular-web-developer-jobs-in-europe) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [Find a Developer Job: 12 Best Job Sites For Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/165-find-a-developer-job-12-best-job-sites-for-developers)