Principal Software Engineer - Java, Spring Boot, Kafka

PNC•Dallas, PA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader who enjoys solving complex engineering challenges, mentoring developers, influencing technology strategy, and collaborating with business and technology stakeholders to deliver impactful solutions. PNC is an in-office company that fosters a supportive culture where employees can thrive and achieve balance. We encourage candidates to connect with their recruiter and hiring manager to understand workplace expectations and ensure the role aligns with their goals. PNC will not provide sponsorship for employment visas or participate in STEM OPT for this position.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field (or equivalent experience).
10+ years of software engineering experience with a strong focus on backend development.
5+ years of experience designing and developing enterprise applications using Java and Spring Boot.
Proven experience leading technical teams of 5-10 engineers, including both onshore and offshore resources.
Extensive experience building and deploying Microservices-based architectures.
Strong experience implementing event-driven solutions using Kafka.
Demonstrated ability to engage and influence stakeholders across multiple levels of the organization.
Expert-level Java development experience.
Strong proficiency with Spring Boot and related Spring ecosystem technologies.
Deep understanding of Microservices architecture, API design, and distributed systems.
Hands-on experience with Apache Kafka and event-driven architectures.
Strong coding, debugging, performance tuning, and problem-solving skills.
Experience with CI/CD pipelines, source control, and modern software development practices.
Solid understanding of software design patterns, object-oriented programming, and system integration principles.
Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop engineering talent.
Strong collaboration and communication skills.
Proven ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, enterprise environments.
Ability to balance hands-on development responsibilities with technical leadership duties.

Nice To Haves

Experience using Generative AI tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or similar platforms) for software development, code generation, testing, documentation, and code maintenance.
Experience evaluating and implementing AI-assisted development practices to improve engineering productivity and code quality.
Cloud platform experience (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
Experience within highly regulated industries such as banking or financial services.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, development, and implementation of enterprise-grade software solutions using Java, Spring Boot, Kafka, and Microservices architecture.
Serve as the technical lead for a team of 5-10 engineers across onshore and offshore locations.
Establish engineering standards, code quality practices, and development methodologies across the team.
Drive technical decision-making and architectural discussions while balancing scalability, performance, security, and maintainability.
Conduct architecture reviews, code reviews, and technical mentoring to elevate team performance.
Design and develop high-performance backend services and APIs using Java and Spring Boot.
Build and enhance event-driven solutions leveraging Kafka for real-time processing and system integration.
Develop and maintain microservices that support critical business capabilities and customer-facing applications.
Create scalable, resilient, and highly available software solutions aligned with enterprise architecture standards.
Troubleshoot complex production issues and drive root-cause analysis and resolution.
Lead Agile delivery efforts and coordinate work across distributed teams.
Provide technical guidance, coaching, and mentorship to engineers at various experience levels.
Collaborate with Product Owners, Architects, DevOps, QA, and business stakeholders to ensure successful project execution.
Manage technical dependencies, risks, and delivery timelines.
Partner with business and technology stakeholders to understand requirements and translate them into scalable technical solutions.
Communicate technical concepts and recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Influence technology roadmaps and support strategic initiatives across the organization.

Benefits

medical/prescription drug coverage (with a Health Savings Account feature)
dental and vision options
employee and spouse/child life insurance
short and long-term disability protection
401(k) with PNC match
pension and stock purchase plans
dependent care reimbursement account
back-up child/elder care
adoption, surrogacy, and doula reimbursement
educational assistance, including select programs fully paid
a robust wellness program with financial incentives
maternity and/or parental leave
up to 11 paid holidays each year
9 occasional absence days each year, unless otherwise required by law
between 15 to 25 vacation days each year, depending on career level; and years of service.