Principal, Software Engineer - Backend

Walmart • Sunnyvale, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

As a Principal Software Engineer at Walmart, you will lead the design and delivery of scalable platform capabilities and AI-enhanced applications, driving technical excellence across multiple teams. This role requires expertise in cloud-native architecture, distributed systems, and full software development lifecycle management. You will provide strategic technical leadership, mentor engineering teams, and collaborate with cross-functional partners to translate complex business needs into innovative solutions. Your contributions will support Walmart’s long-term technology vision, ensuring high availability, reliability, and continuous improvement of critical software systems serving millions of users.

About the team: Walmart Connect’s Sponsored Search team builds scalable, high-performance systems that enhance search advertising on Walmart’s digital platform. Utilizing extensive retail data, advanced machine learning, and real-time APIs, the team optimizes ad placements to deliver measurable results. Focused on cloud-native architectures and AI-driven solutions, members collaborate across disciplines to design and implement technical solutions that efficiently connect shoppers with relevant products. The team drives innovation in search technology, supporting Walmart’s commitment to exceptional digital experiences at scale through robust engineering and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• 10+ years of extensive experience in platform engineering leadership, delivering scalable, cloud-native architectures and reusable tooling.
• Proven ability to lead full software development lifecycles, including design, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
• Expertise in AI/ML integration and building intelligent software systems using languages such as Python, Java, and C++.
• Strong skills in technical solution design, debugging, and requirements analysis.
• Demonstrated capability in mentoring engineers and influencing architectural decisions.
• Proficiency with API design, cloud computing architecture, and model-driven design methodologies.
• Excellent problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, computer information systems, software engineering, or related area and 5 years’ experience in software engineering or related area.
• 7 years’ experience in software engineering or related area.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, computer information systems, software engineering, or related area and 3 years' experience in software engineering or related area.
• Creating inclusive digital experiences, demonstrating knowledge in implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standards, assistive technologies, and integrating digital accessibility seamlessly.
• Knowledge of accessibility best practices and join us as we continue to create accessible products and services following Walmart’s accessibility standards and guidelines for supporting an inclusive culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead platform engineering efforts to deliver scalable, cloud-native infrastructure and reusable tooling aligned with strategic roadmaps.
• Drive full software development lifecycle management, including design, testing, deployment, and maintenance across multiple teams.
• Architect and implement AI-enhanced applications and intelligent systems supporting millions of users.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship, promoting engineering excellence and standardization across teams.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business needs into actionable technical requirements and measurable success metrics.
• Ensure high system availability, scalability, and fault tolerance through sound architectural decisions.
• Foster continuous improvement by integrating feedback, adopting new technologies, and optimizing processes.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Performance-based bonus awards
• Medical coverage
• Vision coverage
• Dental coverage
• 401(k)
• Stock purchase
• Company-paid life insurance
• PTO (including sick leave)
• Parental leave
• Family care leave
• Bereavement
• Jury duty
• Voting leave
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Company discounts
• Military Leave Pay
• Adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement
• PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes.
• Live Better U (Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal