Principal Software Engineer – Platform Infrastructure

Help us build the "System of Action" that supercharges global manufacturing teams.  QAD is entering a high-velocity era to architect the world’s first AI-native, agentic ERP. We are moving beyond legacy "systems of record" to build an autonomous platform where humans and AI work as a tag team to redefine how factories operate.  Join us at this pivotal moment to build our next generation platform, lead the next generation of the Adaptive Enterprise and turn global speed into strategy.  

Ignite Your Future: 

Are you a visionary Principal Software Engineer ready to define and drive the technical strategy for an entire function, own complex, high-impact systems, and directly contribute to the future of intelligent manufacturing? Join QAD, where we are redefining the supply chain through our intelligent, adaptive platform—a single System of Action that connects people, processes, and data. As a Sr. Principal Software Engineer, you will be a key technical leader responsible for the architecture, governance, and delivery of our enterprise-scale SaaS products, operating with Champion Pace. You will be a recognized internal subject matter expert, focusing on providing thought leadership across the organization.

The Mission: What You'll Be Building

You will be the core driver in the conceptualization, design, development, and implementation of new, highly complex models and procedures. You will provide strategic technical direction, mentor senior and principal team members, and leverage broad expertise in highly specialized fields to develop solutions in cloud-native architectures, microservices, and Agile product development. You will be instrumental in building the next generation of our platform

Lead architect for the shared infrastructure backbone — the systems every other engineer in the org depends on.

Your Impact/ What you will be doing: 

• Define API Gateway and Service Mesh architecture for the multi-tenant ERA platform

• Design the MCP Gateway from first principles — this is a novel infrastructure component with no existing playbook

• Set Kafka partition strategy, consumer group patterns, and schema registry design

• Provide cross-track technical guidance; represent the Platform track in org-wide architecture discussions

• Own engineering quality: architecture reviews, code review standards, and technical documentation

Core Technical Foundations / What we are looking for 

• 10+ years in platform or infrastructure engineering; recognized as a principal-level authority

• Expert in multi-tenant API infrastructure: API Gateway, OAuth2/OIDC, and service mesh design

• Deep Kafka expertise: partition internals, consumer group management, and CDC patterns

• Hands-on coder in Go, Java, or Python — you commit production code, not just diagrams

• Open-source contributions to platform or infrastructure tooling

• Experience building or designing observability platforms from scratch

• MCP protocol design or implementation experience

The Mindset:

• Strategic Problem Solver: Strong logical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Exercises independent judgment in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. Capable of driving functional solutions end-to-end and influencing technology choices.

• Adaptability: Eagerness to quickly learn and adopt cutting-edge technologies. Understands and works on highly complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors.

• Ownership & Quality: A detail-oriented mindset with a focus on quality, demonstrating end-to-end responsibility for architectural components and their impact on the entire function.

• Proactive Leader: Takes initiative to anticipate and address future needs, risks, or improvements without explicit direction, establishing new standards where necessary.

• Quick Learner: Demonstrates a rapid capacity to grasp new technologies, complex systems, and development methodologies.

Why QAD?

• Structured Mentorship: Benefit from a structured program and training designed for rapid career development.

• Inclusive Culture: Join a collaborative and inclusive environment that champions learning, growth, and diverse perspectives.

• Ready to step into the future of manufacturing? Apply now and start building a System of Action!

QAD is redefining manufacturing and supply chains through its intelligent, adaptive platform that connects people, processes, and data into a single System of Action. With three core pillars — Redzone (frontline empowerment), Adaptive Applications (the intelligent backbone), and Champion AI (Agentic AI for manufacturing) — QAD | Redzone helps manufacturers operate with Champion Pace, achieving measurable productivity, resilience, and growth in just 90 days.

QAD is committed to ensuring that every employee feels they work in an environment that values their contributions, respects their unique perspectives and provides opportunities for growth regardless of background. QAD’s DEI program is driving higher levels of diversity, equity and inclusion so that employees can bring their whole self to work.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. 

About QAD:

QAD | Redzone is redefining manufacturing and supply chains through its intelligent, adaptive platform that connects people, processes, and data into a single System of Action. With three core pillars — Redzone (frontline empowerment), Adaptive Applications (the intelligent backbone), and Champion AI (Agentic AI for manufacturing) — QAD | Redzone helps manufacturers operate with Champion Pace, achieving measurable productivity, resilience, and growth in just 90 days.

QAD is committed to ensuring that every employee feels they work in an environment that values their contributions, respects their unique perspectives and provides opportunities for growth regardless of background. QAD’s DEI program is driving higher levels of diversity, equity and inclusion so that employees can bring their whole self to work.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.