Principal Software Engineer

Role Overview:

Code District is looking for a Lead Software Engineer to own the architecture and delivery of modern, AI-enabled, cloud-native applications. This is a hands-on technical leadership role: you will design systems, guide implementation, enforce standards, mentor developers, and still write high-quality production code.

Our core stack is JavaScript/TypeScript (React/Next.js on the frontend, Node.js/NestJS on the backend) with SQL/NoSQL databases and AWS. At this level, we expect you to be technology-agnostic and capable of leading teams working in other ecosystems (e.g., .NET, PHP) when the project demands it.

Key Responsibilities:

Architecture & design: Own end-to-end architecture for one or more products, apply suitable patterns (modular, microservices, event-driven, etc.), and document/communicate key technical decisions and trade-offs.

Hands-on engineering: Lead development using React/Next.js and Node.js/NestJS/Express; design and implement RESTful (and optionally GraphQL) APIs; work with SQL (PostgreSQL/MySQL) and NoSQL (MongoDB) while enforcing clean code, testing, and observability practices.

Cloud & DevOps: Design and guide deployments on AWS using core services (VPC, IAM, EC2, ECS/Fargate, Lambda, API Gateway, S3, RDS, CloudFront, CloudWatch, SQS/SNS), collaborate with DevOps on CI/CD and IaC, and ensure security, resilience, and cost-efficiency.

Team leadership & standards: Lead multiple squads, set and enforce engineering standards (code quality, branching, reviews, documentation), perform regular code reviews, and mentor mid/junior engineers on both technical depth and professionalism.

AI & modern practices: Drive adoption of AI-assisted development tools (Copilot, Cursor, ChatGPT, etc.), help design and deliver AI-enabled product features (LLM integrations, intelligent workflows), and champion modern engineering practices (Agile, API-first, TDD where appropriate).

Stakeholder & client engagement: Work closely with Product, Design, QA, and PMO for scoping and planning; join discovery and solution workshops with international clients; translate business goals into clear technical roadmaps and communicate risks and options clearly.

Technology-agnostic leadership: When required, lead or support projects in other stacks (e.g., .NET, PHP) by focusing on architecture, patterns, and standards, and guide teams through refactors, migrations, and legacy modernization.

Requirements:

• 5+ years of professional experience in full-stack web development.
• Deep proficiency in JavaScript (ES6+) and preferably TypeScript, with strong hands-on experience in React (Next.js preferred) and Node.js (NestJS and/or Express).
• Strong understanding of software engineering fundamentals, architecture styles, and design patterns (layered, modular, microservices, event-driven; DI, repository, adapter, strategy, etc.) applied in real projects.
• Solid experience with SQL databases (PostgreSQL/MySQL) and working knowledge of NoSQL (MongoDB), including sound data modeling and performance considerations.
• Strong experience in REST API design and integration (GraphQL is a plus), plus good grasp of Git-based workflows and CI/CD concepts.
• Advanced, practical experience with AWS core services for compute, storage, data, networking, and messaging (e.g., VPC, IAM, EC2, ECS/Fargate, Lambda, API Gateway, S3, RDS, CloudFront, CloudWatch, SQS/SNS).
• Proven track record of leading engineering teams: mentoring, code reviews, setting standards, and managing delivery across multiple streams/squads.
• Technology-agnostic mindset and ability to understand and lead work in other ecosystems (e.g., .NET, PHP) when required.
• Experience with or strong interest in AI/LLM integration and AI-assisted development tools (Copilot, Cursor, ChatGPT, etc.).
• Excellent communication skills, comfort working with international clients and cross-functional teams, and a high level of ownership, discipline, and commitment to engineering excellence

Why Code District:

• Lead impactful AI-driven, cloud-powered MERN projects
• Shape architecture, mentor talent, and influence product strategy
• Collaborative, innovative, and learning-oriented environment