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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Software Engineer, Product - **Company:** PIKA, LLC - **Location:** Palo Alto, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, Cloud Computing, Collaborative Software, Distributed Systems, Python (Programming Language), PostgreSQL, Node.Js, Redis, Software Engineering, Systems Integration, TypeScript, AI Infrastructure, Pytorch, ReactJS, Large Language Models, Generative AI, Kubernetes, Restful APIs, Docker, Golang - **Published:** September 19, 2026 - **Apply:** https://startup.jobs/principal-software-engineer-product-pika-10067454 ## About the Role * 8+ years of professional software engineering experience, with substantial time in senior/principal engineering and product-focused roles * Distinguished track record leading the design, execution, and scaling of high-impact web or mobile products (React, TypeScript, Node.js, Go, or similar) * Demonstrated strategy and execution in building robust, user-centric features for creative applications * Comprehensive expertise in systems design: distributed systems, scalable APIs, and cloud infrastructure (AWS/GCP) * Experience working across the stack, including ML/AI infrastructure (Python, GPU-backed workflows) as required * Exceptional product intuition and a strategic mindset-driven by deep understanding of user and business needs * Excellent communication and leadership skills; able to influence across disciplines and build consensus * Strong sense of ownership and passion for delivering delightful creative experiences at scale Nice to Have * Experience building or integrating generative AI, agentic workflows, or ML inference platforms (Python/PyTorch) * Creative background (design, art, architecture, or similar) * Expertise in media-rich and real-time collaboration applications * Startup experience and proven ability to thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments Our Stack React, TypeScript, Python, Go, Postgres, Redis, Docker, Kubernetes, AWS/GCP ## Description We're seeking a Principal Product Engineer to lead the technical vision, architecture, and roadmap for user-facing systems at Pika. In this high-impact, senior leadership role, you'll guide the engineering direction for features that serve millions of creative users-from intuitive UIs and collaboration tools to real-time interactions and advanced generative AI experiences. You'll work closely with product, design, and engineering leadership to deliver features that are robust, scalable, and delightful to use. You'll influence both the immediate user experience and long-term product vision, taking ideas from strategic conception to launch and ongoing iteration. What You'll Do * Own and define the architecture and technical strategy for Pika's web and multi-platform products * Spearhead the development of real-time collaboration capabilities, messaging, and live multi-user interactions * Drive product features from ideation through scoping, development, launch, and continuous improvement * Integrate complex generative AI workflows (LLMs, models, agentic tools) into creative tooling * Partner deeply with product and design leaders to deliver groundbreaking, accessible creative workflows * Champion technical excellence through high standards, architecture reviews, mentorship, and proposals * Oversee and improve cross-service metrics, tracing, and observability for critical product features ## Related Videos - [Reducing LLM Calls with Vector Search Patterns - Raphael De Lio (Redis)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1714-reducing-llm-calls-with-vector-search-patterns-raphael-de-lio-redis) - [Go with the Flow: Stop the Leaks Before Your Memory's a Waterfall!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100073-go-with-the-flow-stop-the-leaks-before-your-memory-s-a-waterfall) - [Docker Compose: Rediscovered](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1978-docker-compose-rediscovered) - [Building an agentic software factory: How we rebuilt product development at Pipedrive](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100261-building-an-agentic-software-factory-how-we-rebuilt-product-development-at-pipedrive) - [Accelerating Authentication Architecture: Taking Passwordless to the Next Level](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/733-accelerating-authentication-architecture-taking-passwordless-to-the-next-level) - [Fireside Chat with Werner Vogels, VP & CTO, Amazon.com & Daniel Gebler, CTO at Picnic](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1405-fireside-chat-with-werner-vogels-vp-cto-amazon-com-daniel-gebler-cto-at-picnic) ## Related Articles - [Navigating the AI Shift](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/629-navigating-the-ai-shift) - [Dev Digest 120 - Apple and peers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/455-dev-digest-120-apple-and-peers) - [MLOps And AI Driven Development](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/82-mlops-and-ai-driven-development) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [What is Software Engineering in the Age of AI?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/640-what-is-software-engineering-in-the-age-of-ai)