Principal Software Developer

First Merchants Corporation•Columbus, OH

About The Position

First Merchants Bank is seeking a Principal Software Developer to join our team! This position will be responsible for designing, developing, and supporting software solutions to meet the organization’s needs. This role builds and enhances secure, reliable applications and integrations using Microsoft .NET (C#), Azure services, and other modern development technologies, partnering with stakeholders to deliver high-quality solutions. As part of this role you will: Design and develop software solutions: Build and enhance applications and services that align with business requirements and promote automation, reliability, and efficiency. Azure development: Implement cloud solutions using Azure services (e.g., Functions, App Services, storage, messaging) to support scalable and resilient applications. AI development: Microsoft AI services, including Microsoft Foundry (Azure AI Foundry), and AI-assisted development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot / Microsoft Copilot). API and integration development: Design, build, and support RESTful APIs and integrations that connect enterprise systems and enable secure data exchange. Full-stack delivery: Develop and maintain web-based applications, including front-end user experiences and back-end services (including PHP, Python, and JavaScript as needed). Collaborate with stakeholders: Work closely with business analysts, project managers, and partners to gather and refine requirements and deliver solutions that meet business objectives. SDLC and quality: Follow established SDLC practices including code reviews, testing, documentation, and release processes; participate in sprint planning and Agile ceremonies. Testing and troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve defects and performance issues; implement unit/integration tests and support automated testing efforts. Documentation: Maintain clear technical documentation (design notes, runbooks, and support information) to enable maintainability and operational readiness. Continuous improvement: Identify opportunities for modernization, automation, and reduction of technical debt; recommend improvements to tools, standards, and processes. Partnering with peers: Collaborate across Technology teams to ensure solutions are secure, scalable, and aligned with enterprise architecture and integration patterns.

Requirements

High School or GED equivalent
Minimum of eight (8) years of experience in software development or a similar role.
Minimum of two (2) years of experience developing with Microsoft .NET C#
Minimum of two (2) years of experience with Azure development and cloud-native patterns (e.g., Azure Functions, App Services, storage, messaging, and identity).

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related fields.
Experience with Microsoft AI services, including Microsoft Foundry (Azure AI Foundry), and AI-assisted development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot / Microsoft Copilot).
Experience building and supporting RESTful APIs and integrating systems using web services.
Experience with PHP and/or Python for building web applications, automation, and integrations.
Experience with Git-based workflows and CI/CD (e.g., Azure DevOps, GitLab), including code reviews and automated testing.
Experience with web servers and operating environments such as IIS, Nginx/Apache, Windows Server, and Linux.
Familiarity with monitoring and incident response tooling (e.g., Datadog, Opsgenie) and operational support practices.
Familiarity with Agile development methodologies.
Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
Strong communication and teamwork abilities.