Principal Engineer

Title: Principal Engineer
Contract Details:

Location: New York, NY

Work Model: Full Remote with occasional onsite travel

Duration: 6+ months (likely Contract to Hire)

Start: ASAP

Candidates Considered: USC and GC Holders

Principal Engineer - SUMMARY:

The Principal Engineer - Applications works strategically with product team stakeholders to align technology resources with business goals in the execution of technical strategy. This role will lead the design and development of ecommerce platforms , with a strong focus on headless architectures , payment processing integrations , and full-stack Java development with heavier emphasis on backend systems.

The ideal candidate has deep experience in ecommerce and retail environments , with a proven track record of building scalable, secure, and high-performing systems that support digital commerce initiatives. They will be responsible for the analysis, design, development, and delivery of software solutions, implementing and defining requirements for new applications and customizations, and adhering to best practices, standards, and security guidelines.

Principal Engineer - RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide technical leadership across various application types, architectures, and software-development methodologies, offering strategic direction and design leadership on complex engineering challenges.
• Partner closely with business and product teams to define and deliver new ecommerce products and services that meet market needs and drive business growth.
• Design and implement headless commerce solutions, ensuring seamless integration between backend services and frontend experiences.
• Lead enterprise-wide initiatives, taking ownership of engineering decisions and execution to drive resolution on strategic key technical challenges.
• Own backend processing for critical payment systems, ensuring security, reliability, and compliance with industry standards.
• Oversee the development of IT service management strategies to improve the operational efficiency and user satisfaction of software systems, driving resolution of technical challenges with a service-centric approach.
• Drive engineering productivity by ensuring high standards for code quality, engineering processes, and technology policy compliance.
• Oversee the creation and management of robust, fault-tolerant integrations with internal systems and external third-party services (e.g., payment gateways, retail ERP platforms, ecommerce APIs).
• Guide the development and improvement of the company’s platform software systems, including APIs and administrative web applications.
• Stay at the forefront of security, compliance, and regulatory requirements, ensuring proactive identification and mitigation of vulnerabilities.
• Communicate effectively with senior executives, business stakeholders, and users, translating complex technical information into actionable insights.
• Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies, identifying opportunities for innovation and improvement within the engineering function.
Champion the company’s mission and values, cultivating an accountable, innovative, and results-driven culture that fosters teamwork, trust, and respect.

Principal Engineer - REQUIRED SKILLS (MUST HAVES):

• Degree in Computer Science, Math, Physics or equivalent industry experience.
• 8+ years of full stack development experience, with a strong emphasis on backend Java development.
• Proven experience designing and implementing headless ecommerce platforms .
• Deep expertise in payment processing systems (e.g., integration with payment gateways, PCI compliance, transaction security).
• Strong retail client experience — ideally supporting large-scale ecommerce environments.
• Proficiency in Java, Scala, or Go, and familiarity with JavaScript, HTML, SQL, and CSS.
• Strong understanding of data structures, algorithms, and system design principles.
• Proven experience integrating third-party APIs and building scalable backend services.
• Demonstrated experience presenting to and collaborating with company executives.
• Successful track record in managing development organizations with thought-leadership, cross-functional influence, and partnership.