Principal Software Engineer

We are searching for an experienced Principal Software Engineer – MERN Stack to lead and scale our engineering efforts. In this role, you will drive the technical vision and architecture behind high-impact, scalable web applications while mentoring engineers and establishing strong engineering practices across the team. You’ll work closely with cross-functional stakeholders and take ownership of the full software development lifecycle, from requirements gathering to deployment.

As a Principal Engineer, you are expected to operate comfortably across both front-end and back-end systems, make sound architectural decisions, and deliver robust solutions tailored to client needs. You should be a collaborative leader with a strong focus on quality, scalability, and timely delivery, along with a proven track record of guiding teams in fast-paced service environments.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Create an environment where teams can deliver high-quality solutions sustainably by improving ways of working and proactively removing blockers across projects.
• Lead the end-to-end architecture, design, and development of scalable web applications using the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, Node.js).
• Provide technical leadership and influence to align engineering direction across multiple client engagements and internal teams.
• Define and enforce best practices, coding standards, and development processes to ensure consistency and quality.
• Drive technical strategy, system design, and performance optimization across projects.
• Review code, provide constructive feedback, and ensure high-quality, maintainable deliverables.
• Mentor engineers and emerging technical leaders in architecture, systems thinking, and engineering excellence.
• Develop a strong understanding of client requirements, business goals, and project scopes to guide technical decision-making and delivery plans.
• Design and evolve scalable architectures, service boundaries, and integration patterns across diverse client solutions.
• Establish and maintain clear, pragmatic technical standards, ensuring consistency in APIs, code quality, and data management.
• Contribute hands-on to complex or high-risk technical challenges where deep expertise adds significant value.
• Drive operational excellence through improved monitoring, automation, and resilient system design.
• Collaborate closely with DevOps, QA, and stakeholders to ensure solutions are secure, reliable, and production-ready.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING:

• Experience as a senior technical leader working across multiple teams or services.
• Experience designing and evolving distributed systems, APIs, and integrations.
• Deep understanding of JavaScript (ES6+), Node.js, Nest.js and React.js
• Strong experience with MongoDB and database design principles
• Strong understanding of software design principles and maintainable architecture patterns.
• Experience building secure, scalable, and resilient cloud-based solutions (e.g. AWS or equivalent).
• Knowledge of testing strategies, CI/CD, and operational reliability practices.
• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Computer Science (or related) or equivalent professional experience.

HOW WE WORK:

• Annual Pay Raise - Higher the performance, better the numbers
• Quarterly Bonuses - Complete a year & get financial rewards each quarter
• Provident Fund & EOBI - Adds up to your retirement plans
• Health Insurance - We’ve got you covered
• Work Hours Relaxation - Getting exhausted, take a pause & cool down
• Interest Free Loan facility - Avoid hefty banking interests
• Annual Recreational Trip - Great time to spend with colleagues outside office

WHO WE ARE:

• We are an established custom design & development company with a proven record of delivering tons of successful projects to our partners including startups, small & mid-sized companies & brands with no specific industry vertical.
• Kwanso was founded in April, 2014 in Lahore & later formed its subsidiary in Bay Area (SF) in 2015.
• Our work comprises modern tech that enables us to be the experts in the modern open source technology stacks for web & mobile. We want to stay highly focused on cool tech.
• We have delivered for brands like Whirlpool, Sears, UFC, Kimberly Clark, PBS Kids & Bushnell to name a few, our complete client-base is from the United States.

Work Location: In person