(USA) Principal, Software Engineer

Walmart • Sunnyvale, CA

31d • $132,000 - $286,000

About The Position

Role summary: As a Principal Software Engineer at Walmart, you will lead the design and delivery of scalable platform capabilities, including cloud-native architectures and AI/ML frameworks, to support critical business functions. This role requires driving the full software development lifecycle across multiple teams, ensuring high availability, reliability, and innovation in distributed systems. You will provide strategic technical leadership, mentor engineering teams, and collaborate cross-functionally to translate complex business needs into effective technical solutions. Your expertise will advance Walmart’s technology vision while maintaining operational excellence and continuous improvement. About the team: The Sandman/Ad-tech team comprises skilled Machine Learning Engineers, Data Scientists, and Full Stack technologists dedicated to delivering scalable, data-driven solutions for Walmart. This multidisciplinary group combines expertise in AI, software engineering, and data science to develop autonomous AI agents, deploy reliable applications, and build core engineering capabilities at enterprise scale. Leveraging data, AI, and agile methodologies, the team drives innovation that enhances operational efficiency and supports Walmart’s mission. Collaboration within the team fosters the creation of intelligent systems that improve business performance across the organization.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in platform engineering leadership, delivering scalable infrastructure and reusable tooling aligned with strategic roadmaps.
• Proven expertise in cloud-native architecture and distributed system design ensuring high availability and fault tolerance.
• Strong technical execution skills across the full software development lifecycle, including CI/CD, testing, and incident response.
• Proficiency in AI/ML integration and building intelligent software systems using languages such as Python, and Java.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical mentorship and influence architectural decisions across multiple teams.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills to engage cross-functional stakeholders and drive alignment.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and maintaining high-quality technical standards.
• 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.
• We value candidates with a background in creating inclusive digital experiences, demonstrating knowledge in implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standards, assistive technologies, and integrating digital accessibility seamlessly.
• The ideal candidate would have 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 of distributed systems.
• Architect and integrate AI/ML-enhanced applications supporting real-time data processing and multi-step reasoning capabilities.
• 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, fault tolerance, and continuous improvement through innovation and operational rigor.

Benefits

• At Walmart, we offer competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet.
• Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage.
• Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance.
• Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting.
• Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more.
• You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes. The amount you receive depends on your job classification and length of employment. It will meet or exceed the requirements of paid sick leave laws, where applicable.
• Live Better U is a Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart.
• Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to a specific plan or program terms.

What This Job Offers

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