Principal - Software Eng

Ally•Detroit, MI

6d•$110,000 - $180,000

About The Position

Ally Financial is seeking a hands-on Principal Software Engineer to lead the design, development, and support of dealer-facing applications that power critical business interactions and digital experiences. The role drives delivery of secure, scalable, high-performing platforms across front-end, back-end, APIs, and cloud infrastructure, emphasizing usability, reliability, integration, and production excellence. The engineer provides technical leadership across architecture, implementation, release management, and operational support, partnering with product, business, and engineering teams to improve dealer experience and platform stability. The role also mentors engineers, shapes engineering standards, and develops resilient solutions for changing dealer and business needs. The position leads end-to-end full-stack engineering, including React.js, Next.js, TypeScript, Node.js, NestJS, REST APIs, microservices, relational databases, and AWS services. It works with architects and product partners to turn business and dealer workflow needs into technical designs, coordinate releases, identify and mitigate technical risks, and maintain high-quality deliverables. The role also contributes to project coordination, development environments, support prioritization, and continuous improvement through coaching, pairing, code reviews, and technical discussions. Ally will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position. The specific onsite, hybrid, or remote work requirements will be discussed with the hiring manager and may change based on business need or leadership discretion.

Requirements

At least 7 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent.
Hands-on experience with Node.js, NestJS, and TypeScript for secure, performant REST APIs and microservices.
Expertise in API design, asynchronous processing, error handling, enterprise system integration, and relational databases such as Postgres or Oracle.
Strong understanding of production support, issue triage, and operational stability.
Experience with AWS Lambda, API Gateway, Step Functions, S3, and CloudFront, including event-driven and serverless application patterns.
Experience with Terraform, IAM, Secrets Manager, and Parameter Store for secure configuration and repeatable infrastructure provisioning.
Experience with CloudWatch logging, metrics, alerting, and production observability.
Hands-on experience with React.js, Next.js, TypeScript, and modern CSS practices for performant, responsive, accessible user interfaces.
Familiarity with API integration patterns, usability-focused implementation, DevOps practices, and AWS deployment models.
Experience with micro frontend architecture, module federation, reusable component design, and client/server state management tools such as React Query, Redux, or Zustand.

Nice To Haves

At least 8 years of software development experience delivering scalable enterprise applications.
At least 3 years in a technical lead or principal engineer role with ownership of architecture, delivery, and engineering standards.
Demonstrated ability to lead end-to-end engineering for dealer-facing applications with a focus on usability, reliability, performance, and business impact.
Experience mentoring and coaching junior and mid-level developers through technical guidance, code reviews, and hands-on collaboration.

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end full-stack engineering across front-end, back-end, APIs, data, and cloud infrastructure for dealer-facing applications.
Build and support secure, performant REST APIs and microservices, including API design, asynchronous processing, error handling, enterprise integration, and operational stability.
Develop performant, responsive, accessible dealer-facing user interfaces and reusable frontend components.
Collaborate with architects, product partners, and cross-functional teams to define application architecture, integration patterns, and scalable technical solutions.
Translate business and dealer workflow requirements into technical designs, implementation plans, and scalable solution components.
Own and coordinate release management, including planning, dependency tracking, deployment readiness, rollback strategy, production validation, and post-release support.
Identify technical risks involving architecture, scalability, security, production stability, and dealer impact, and propose mitigation strategies.
Participate in sprint planning, technical estimation, dependency management, support prioritization, and delivery commitments.
Serve as a liaison among product, architecture, and development team members.
Work directly with product owners to ensure stories include appropriate technical direction, best practices, and detail.
Coordinate projects with Engineering and Operations to reduce impact on application development teams, including building new development environments.
Drive continuous improvement through coaching, pair programming, code reviews, and round-table discussions.
Promote best practices and high-quality deliverables; communicate with senior leadership and other development teams; set technical expectations and provide guidance.
Mentor and coach junior and mid-level developers through technical guidance, code reviews, and hands-on collaboration.

Benefits

At least 20 paid time off days, 11 paid holidays, and 8 hours of annual volunteer time off; time off is prorated and programs vary by full- or part-time status and management level.
401(k) retirement savings plan with matching and company contributions.
Student loan paydowns and 529 educational savings assistance programs.
Tuition reimbursement.
Employee stock purchase plan.
Financial learning center and access to a financial coach.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
Employee, spouse, and child life insurance.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Health Savings Account with employer contributions and Healthcare FSA.
Critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance.
Total well-being program.
Adoption, surrogacy, and fertility assistance.
Paid parental and caregiver leave.
Dependent Day Care FSA, backup child and adult/elder care days, and childcare discounts.
Employee Assistance Program.
Subsidized and discounted Weight Watchers program and other employee discount programs.
Potential travel allowances, relocation assistance, signing bonus, and/or equity, depending on the role.
Annual incentive plan eligibility.