Principal Software Engineer

Principal Software Engineer (75% Hands-on Development)

We seek a Principal Software Engineer to drive critical systems' architecture, design, and development. This role supports a legacy Ruby on Rails application and involves building new services with Python. You'll work with Kafka for event streaming, PostgreSQL for data management, and GitHub Actions for CI/CD pipelines. Our software is deployed in AWS within Kubernetes clusters. This position offers a high level of responsibility in technical decision-making while remaining deeply involved in hands-on coding.

What You’ll Do:

• Architect & Design Systems: Lead the architecture and design of new services, ensuring scalability, performance, and maintainability.

• Develop Software Solutions: Write, review, and optimize code using Python, Ruby, and other relevant technologies.

• Drive Technical Excellence: Establish and enforce engineering best practices across projects.

• Event-Driven Systems: Design and develop event-streaming solutions using Kafka.

• Database Management: Optimize PostgreSQL schemas and queries for performance and reliability.

• Cross-functional collaboration: Work closely with product owners, engineering managers, and other stakeholders to align technical solutions with business needs.

• Mentorship & Guidance: Mentor engineers across teams, providing technical leadership and support.

• Agile Participation: Participate in Agile ceremonies and help refine backlogs with engineering managers and product owners.

• Review & Document Architecture: Create and maintain architecture documentation, including RFCs and technical roadmaps.

• Performance Optimization: Identify bottlenecks in systems and recommend architectural improvements.

• CI/CD Ownership: Implement and maintain CI/CD workflows with GitHub Actions for efficient deployments.

• Cloud & Containerization Expertise: Build, deploy, and maintain applications in AWS and Kubernetes environments.

• Monitor & Improve Systems: Use DORA metrics to track performance and drive continuous improvements.

Why You’re a Fit:

• Education: BS/MS in Computer Science, related field, or comparable experience.

  
  

• Technical Expertise:

  • 8+ years of experience in software development, including architecture and design.

  • Strong experience with Ruby on Rails and Python.

  • Knowledge of Kafka for event-driven architecture and PostgreSQL for data storage.

  • Proficiency in CI/CD tools (e.g., GitHub Actions).

  • Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure) and container orchestration (Kubernetes).

  • Familiarity with front-end frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue is a plus.

    
    

• Leadership & Collaboration:

  • Experience mentoring engineers and leading technical initiatives.

  • Proven ability to drive technical excellence across multiple teams.

  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to balance technical and business trade-offs.

    
    

• Agile & Process Knowledge:

  • Comfortable participating in Agile/Scrum ceremonies and contributing to backlog refinement.

  • Familiar with DORA metrics and their impact on software performance and team productivity.

Check out our Avant Blog!

We believe that a diverse set of backgrounds and experiences helps us create the most innovative solutions for our customers. We invite you to apply to our positions even if you do not meet 100% of the qualifications listed in the description. If you’re passionate about our mission and aligned to our values, we hope you’ll come contribute to our awesome culture.

Why Avant is the place for you:

At Avant, we believe our values make a difference:

Authenticity. We show up to work as our whole selves and make sure others can too.

Collaboration. We can only succeed when we do so as a team.

Problem-Solving. The harder the problem, the more satisfying the solution.

Customer. We are all owners of the customer experience.

Initiative. Plan. Adapt. Get Sh!t Done.

We believe that great ideas come from anyone and anywhere, that everyone is an owner who drives change, and that we have more fun when we work together. We're problem solvers who love collaborating with intelligent and highly-motivated people to reshape the face of digital banking. Avant offers terrific perks and benefits, fun social events with employees who actually like hanging out together, and a flexible growth environment where trying your hand at new projects and being the active owner of your career path is encouraged and supported.

Some of our benefits include:

• Choice of great Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Plan options

• 401(k) Match

• Unlimited Paid Time Off

• Flexible Work Environment

• Generous Paid Parental Leave

• Lunch Allowance (Fooda) and In-office Snacks

• WFH Stipends for our Remote Employees

• Access to LinkedIn Learning for Professional Development

• No Meeting Wednesdays - (a.k.a. planned time to Get Sh!t Done)

• Summer Fridays

• Fun In-Office and Virtual Social Events

• And who doesn’t love the swag

This position may require you to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If required, you'll be asked to provide proof that you’re fully vaccinated upon your start date or before working in or visiting our Chicago office. You’re considered fully vaccinated two weeks after you receive the second dose of a two-dose vaccine series (e.g., Pfizer or Moderna) or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson/Janssen). Failure to provide proof of vaccination may result in termination. Subject to applicable law and requests for accommodation.