Job Overview 8th Light, a renowned software consultancy celebrated for its craftsmanship and agile expertise, is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to join our fully remote US team. In this senior leadership role, you will architect sophisticated software solutions, guide development practices, and collaborate with elite teams to deliver transformative projects for top-tier clients across industries. Embrace the freedom of working from anywhere while contributing to our legacy of building reliable, scalable systems that exceed expectations. Key Responsibilities Lead the design and implementation of high-impact software architectures, ensuring robustness, scalability, and maintainability. Mentor junior and mid-level engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence through code reviews, pair programming, and knowledge-sharing sessions. Collaborate closely with clients and cross-functional teams to translate business needs into technical strategies, driving project success from inception to deployment. Champion best practices in agile methodologies, test-driven development (TDD), and continuous integration/delivery (CI/CD) pipelines. Innovate by exploring emerging technologies and contributing to internal tools, open-source initiatives, and thought leadership through blogs, talks, or workshops. Proactively identify risks, optimize performance, and ensure security standards are met across all deliverables. Required Qualifications Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. At least 8-10 years of hands-on software development experience, with 3+ years in a principal or lead engineering capacity. Proven track record of delivering complex, production-grade applications in dynamic, client-facing environments. Deep expertise in multiple programming paradigms and languages, coupled with strong system design acumen. Skills Technical mastery in languages such as Java, Ruby, JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, or C#, with proficiency in modern frameworks like React, Spring Boot, or Rails. Extensive experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and microservices architectures. Strong command of software craftsmanship principles, including SOLID design, refactoring, and domain-driven design (DDD). Proficiency in agile tools (Jira, Confluence) and DevOps practices (Jenkins, GitHub Actions). Exceptional problem-solving abilities, with a knack for writing clean, testable code and automating infrastructure. Outstanding communication skills for client interactions, team leadership, and technical documentation. Company Info Founded in 2006, 8th Light has offices worldwide but thrives on a remote-first culture that empowers engineers to work flexibly from any US location. We're a tight-knit community of craftspeople dedicated to sustainable software development, serving Fortune 500 companies and startups alike. Our flat structure promotes ownership, collaboration, and work-life balance, with a focus on continuous learning and ethical practices. Benefits Competitive salary tailored to experience, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, plus 401(k) with company match. Generous paid time off, including unlimited PTO after probation, parental leave, and professional development stipends for conferences and courses. Fully remote setup with home office reimbursement, cutting-edge tech stack, and wellness programs to support your best work. Growth Opportunities Advance your career through tailored mentorship, leadership tracks, and opportunities to specialize in areas like AI/ML or cybersecurity. Contribute to global projects, publish insights, and grow into roles like Technical Principal or Practice Lead. We invest in your evolution with regular retrospectives, skill-sharing guilds, and partnerships with industry leaders to keep you at the forefront of engineering excellence.