Principal, Software Engineer
About The Position
The Principal, Software Engineer leads the design and delivery of scalable platform capabilities and drives technical execution across multiple teams. The role applies cloud-native architecture principles to develop resilient distributed systems and integrates AI/ML solutions. It provides strategic technical leadership, mentorship, and cross-functional collaboration to translate business needs into engineering outcomes, ensure high-quality deliverables, foster innovation, and advance Walmart’s engineering vision through knowledge sharing and continuous improvement. The AdTech Measurement and Reporting team builds scalable, cloud-native platforms for real-time data processing and AI integration. It delivers performance insights to support decision-making and business objectives, and develops tools that improve reporting accuracy and efficiency through advanced engineering principles, software design patterns, and data-driven methods. The Principal Engineer leads a group of 30+ engineers solving large-scale AdTech problems with machine learning and statistical methods. The role leads platform development for measurement solutions, including incrementality, attribution, data cleanroom measurement, partner integrations, and GenAI-powered reporting, supporting real-time optimization and offline reporting. It defines technical direction, conducts design reviews, aligns engineering strategy with business goals, and troubleshoots business and production issues.
Requirements
- 8+ years of experience in machine learning and data-intensive platform development.
- 4+ years of experience as a staff-level or higher technical lead.
- Familiarity with distributed data processing tools and databases such as Spark Streaming, Flink, Kafka, RAY, BigQuery, Druid, or Cassandra.
- Skill in leveraging AI to enhance productivity and drive innovation.
- Familiarity with GenAI skills and techniques such as MCP, RAG, re-ranking, agent skills, progressive disclosure, context engineering, agent-to-agent protocols, and fine-tuning.
- Familiarity with ML libraries such as PySpark, PyTorch, CUDA, and Triton.
- Experience implementing statistical and machine learning methods for data classification, regression, ranking, or recommendation.
- Experience implementing transformer-based model training and real-time inference on GPU-backed infrastructure.
- Experience working cross-functionally with data scientists, machine learning engineers, and product managers.
- Experience working in AdTech measurement, with demonstrated knowledge of the AdTech business.
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, computer information systems, software engineering, or a related area and 5 years of experience in software engineering or a related area; or 7 years of experience in software engineering or a related area.
Nice To Haves
- PhD in data mining, data management, machine learning, operations research, GenAI, or statistics.
- Publications in top-tier academic conferences or journals.
- Experience in AdTech targeting, measurement, identity mapping, bidding, or optimization.
- Extensive experience in real-time data streaming applications.
- Extensive experience in ads auction retrieval and ranking.
- Extensive experience in bid optimization applications.
- Patents in data mining or machine learning domains.
- Good understanding of query optimization and distributed systems.
- Good understanding of industry trends in AdTech, ML, and GenAI.
- Master’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, computer information systems, software engineering, or a related area and 3 years of experience in software engineering or a related area.
- Knowledge of creating inclusive digital experiences, implementing WCAG 2.2 AA standards, using assistive technologies, and integrating digital accessibility.
Responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership to a group of 30+ engineers.
- Solve large-scale AdTech problems using machine learning and statistical methods.
- Lead development of measurement platforms and solutions, including incrementality, attribution, data cleanroom measurement, partner integrations, and GenAI-powered reporting.
- Support real-time optimization and offline reporting with a high standard of stability and correctness.
- Define technical direction and conduct design reviews for engineering teams.
- Partner with engineering leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to align technical strategy with business goals.
- Troubleshoot business and production issues by gathering information about the issue, impact, criticality, and possible root cause.
- Engage support teams, formulate and execute action plans, interpret results to determine next steps, and complete online documentation.
Benefits
- Competitive pay
- Performance-based bonus awards
- Medical, vision, and dental coverage
- 401(k)
- Stock purchase
- Company-paid life insurance
- Paid time off, including sick leave
- Parental leave
- Family care leave
- Bereavement leave
- Jury duty leave
- Voting leave
- Short-term and long-term disability
- Company discounts
- Military Leave Pay
- Adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement
- Walmart-paid education benefit program (Live Better U), including tuition, books, and fees for eligible associates
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
