Senior Principal Software Engineer, Backend – Advanced Cluster Security

. Drive the design of backend systems across multiple RHACS subsystems, ensuring scalability and fault-tolerance .

Posted 5/8/2026full-timeRaleigh • Massachusetts, North Carolina • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $168,150 - $277,350 per yearWebsite

Tools & technologies

Distributed SystemsGoGRPCKubernetesLinuxPostgresSDLCTerraform

Key responsibilities & impact

Drive the design of backend systems across multiple RHACS subsystems, ensuring scalability and fault-tolerance
Drive cross-functional alignment with product management, design, and peer engineering teams
Lead the adoption of agentic development practices - defining how AI tools, context registries, and automated workflows reshape the SDLC from intake through release
Establish testing practices, architectural patterns, and development methodologies that multiple teams can adopt
Improve how teams build and ship software by introducing new methodologies, including AI-accelerated approaches
Identify and drive adoption of new technologies and frameworks
Coach and mentor Principal Engineers across organizations through code reviews, design feedback, and guidance
Own complex, multi-month technical initiatives, navigating ambiguity and tracking real-world usage beyond shipping

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related STEM field (or equivalent practical experience)
8+ years of software development experience
Proven track record in architecting and implementing high-performance backend services (RESTful and gRPC APIs) and large-scale distributed systems
Significant hands-on experience with Kubernetes, including deployment, scaling, and securing clusters in production environments
Deep expertise in at least two of: Linux system internals, container runtime security, distributed data systems (PostgreSQL), or observability at scale
Knowledge of frameworks like Terraform and Helm, with experience creating tools that enhance developer productivity
Experience setting standards and driving alignment across multiple teams, with the ability to mentor senior and principal-level engineers
The ability to think beyond code to understand how technical decisions affect customer experience and business outcomes
Able to take an unclear problem, define the approach, and drive it to completion across teams with competing priorities
Open to learning new technologies and languages (we primarily use Golang)

Comp & perks

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
Flexible Spending Account - healthcare and dependent care
Health Savings Account - high deductible medical plan
Retirement 401(k) with employer match
Paid time off and holidays
Paid parental leave plans for all new parents
Leave benefits including disability, paid family medical leave, and paid military leave
Additional benefits including employee stock purchase plan, family planning reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, transportation expense account, employee assistance program, and more!

ATS Keywords

✓ Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

backend systems designscalabilityfault-toleranceagentic development practicesAI toolsSDLCRESTful APIsgRPC APIsKubernetesPostgreSQL

Soft Skills

cross-functional alignmentcoachingmentoringcode reviewsdesign feedbacknavigating ambiguityproblem-solvingcommunicationleadershipcollaboration