JOB DESCRIPTION
Sr. Principal Engineer/ Principal Engineer – Cloud Platform
Reports To: Director of Software Systems Engineering
Position Summary
We are seeking an exceptional Sr. Principal/Principal Engineer to lead the design, architecture, and development of a comprehensive cloud platform. This role requires a visionary technologist with 15+ years of experience in building and scaling large-scale distributed systems, microservices architectures, and cloud infrastructure. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership across multiple service domains, mentor engineering teams, and drive architectural excellence across our rapidly evolving platform.
Key Responsibilities
Design and architect a scalable, highly available cloud platform with 15+ microservices including Audit Logs, API Gateway, Device Health, Usage & Capacity, Device Status, Users, Applications, IAM, License, Alerts, Metrics, Network Visualization, and Orchestration.
Establish and enforce architectural standards, best practices, and patterns across all platform services.
Lead the technical strategy for cloud platform evolution, including infrastructure decisions, technology selections, and deployment architectures.
Mentor and guide engineering teams in microservices design, providing code reviews and architectural guidance.
Drive performance optimization, scalability improvements, and reliability enhancements across the platform.
Collaborate with product, DevOps, and security teams to align platform capabilities with business objectives.
Define and implement monitoring, observability, and alerting strategies for complex distributed systems.
Lead technical investigations and resolution of complex production issues.
Evaluate and integrate new technologies and frameworks to enhance platform capabilities.
Participate in architectural review boards and technology steering committees.
Required Qualifications
15+ years of software engineering experience with at least 8+ years in distributed systems and microservices architecture.
Demonstrated expertise in designing and building large-scale cloud platforms or SaaS applications.
Deep understanding of microservices architecture, API design, and event-driven systems.
Strong proficiency in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
Expertise in modern programming languages (Java, Go, Python, or similar) and frameworks.
Hands-on experience with database technologies (relational and NoSQL), data management, and eventual consistency patterns.
Strong background in DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure-as-code.
Proven ability to lead complex technical initiatives and guide cross-functional teams.
Experience with security and compliance considerations in cloud platform design.
Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent professional experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with identity and access management (IAM) systems and authentication/authorization frameworks.
Knowledge of licensing systems, metering, and usage-based analytics.
Background in network visualization, monitoring, or IT operations platforms.
Experience with real-time data streaming platforms (Kafka, Kinesis, or similar).
Expertise in audit logging, compliance monitoring, and regulatory frameworks.
Prior experience with API management platforms and developer portals.
Knowledge of orchestration platforms and workflow management systems.
Experience mentoring and building high-performing engineering teams.
Open-source contributions or speaking engagements at technical conferences.
Technical Skills & Competencies
Core Technical Skills:
Architecture & Design: Microservices, event-driven architecture, CQRS, API design, distributed systems patterns
Cloud Platforms: AWS (EC2, ECS, EKS, Lambda, RDS, DynamoDB), Azure, or GCP
Container & Orchestration: Docker, Kubernetes, Helm, container networking
Programming Languages: Java, Go, Python, C#, or TypeScript
Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Cassandra, Redis, Elasticsearch
DevOps & Infrastructure: Terraform, CloudFormation, Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions
Observability: Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack or similar
Security: OAuth 2.0/OIDC, TLS/SSL, secrets management, vulnerability scanning
Soft Skills:
Strategic thinking and long-term vision for technology direction
Exceptional communication and presentation skills
Leadership and mentorship capabilities
Problem-solving and analytical thinking
Passion for operational excellence and continuous improvement
Ability to make trade-offs and prioritize technical decisions
What We Offer
Opportunity to lead the architecture of a cutting-edge cloud platform serving thousands of enterprise customers
Collaborative environment with talented engineering teams and cross-functional stakeholders
Professional development opportunities including training, conferences, and certifications
Competitive compensation package
Comprehensive health, wellness, and retirement benefits
Flexible work environment with remote options
Leadership role with high visibility and impact across the organization
Extreme Networks San Jose, California, USA Office
6480 Via Del Oro, San Jose, California, United States, 95119
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