Principal Software Engineer – Backend

Enlyft

Principal Software Engineer leading complex projects in backend engineering while mentoring engineers and shaping AI-native platforms. Collaborating with product managers and technical leaders to align solutions with business goals.

Posted 7/31/2026full-timeKirkland • Washington • 🇺🇸 United StatesLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates deep expertise in designing and implementing scalable, distributed systems, with a strong command of software design patterns and architectural best practices. Proficient in building AI-native platforms and managing complex projects while ensuring high-quality delivery and effective collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Scalable Distributed Systems DesignAI-Agent Capabilities DevelopmentCloud Platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)Modern Programming Languages (Python, Node.js, Java)Microservices Architecture

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Software Design PatternsArchitectural Best PracticesDatabase Systems (SQL, NoSQL)RESTful APIsDevOps PracticesCI/CD PracticesContainerization (Docker, Kubernetes)Semantic SearchRetrieval SystemsMulti-Step Workflow Implementation

Soft Skills

LeadershipMentoringCollaborationProblem-SolvingCustomer Engagement

Tools & Technologies

AWSAzureGCPDockerKubernetes

Industry Keywords

AI-Native PlatformArchitect-Level RoleTechnical Debt ManagementIntegrated SolutionsHigh-Performance Solutions

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AWSAzureCloudDistributed SystemsDockerGoogle Cloud PlatformJavaJavaScriptKubernetesMicroservicesNode.jsNoSQLPythonSQL

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design and deploy scalable, high-performance solutions across the stack (backend, frontend, and beyond), and establish the architectural standards for reliability, security, and performance the team builds against
Help build our AI-native platform - designing agentic workflows that plan, call tools, and run multi-step tasks in production, not just as prototypes
Stay close to customers - understand their real workflows, sit with their hardest problems, and carry that context back into the architecture and roadmap
Lead and mentor engineers across disciplines, promoting best practices in coding, testing, and deployment
Partner with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to define requirements and deliver integrated solutions that meet both business and technical needs
Own the lifecycle of complex, multi-area projects - ensuring timely, high-quality delivery, resolving hard technical issues, and managing technical debt with the judgment to keep momentum
Document key architectural designs and decisions, and share knowledge so the team can build, debug, and learn faster

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field, with 14+ years of experience, including 4+ years in a principal or architect-level role
Deep expertise designing and implementing scalable, distributed systems, with strong command of software design patterns and architectural best practices
Expertise in modern programming languages and frameworks (e.g., Python, Node.js, Java)
Strong knowledge of database systems (e.g., SQL, NoSQL), RESTful APIs, and microservices architecture
Hands-on experience building and shipping GenAI or AI-agent capabilities in production - connecting models to tools, APIs, and search to run real multi-step workflows
Experience with retrieval and semantic search to ground models in real data is a strong plus, along with good instincts for keeping AI output accurate and cost and latency in check
Fluency with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and containers (Docker, Kubernetes), and comfort with modern DevOps and CI/CD practices

Benefits

Comp & perks

A top-notch culture that is customer obsessed, transparent and constantly strives for excellence
A top-notch team with colleagues that will help you learn and grow in a collaborative environment
Competitive pay and great benefits