Lead IT Engineer - Merchandise Technology

Overview Live the experience. From professional empowerment to continual learning opportunities. From ongoing investment in new and emerging technologies to a career of self‑determination. At Ulta Beauty, our tech team is critical to our scalability and is recognized as such. We have been described as a “mature start‑up”—a place where interdepartmental exposure, open doors, and genuine collaboration are ubiquitous. Challenges come fast and furious, requiring agility, mental dexterity, and creativity. Our passion for better solutions drives us and is core to who we are. We’re engineering for the future of retail, and it’s no‑holds‑barred. For those motivated by continual change, ambiguity, superior leadership, and smart colleagues who will push you daily for your best, virtually nothing is impossible at Ulta Beauty. THE IMPACT YOU CAN HAVE Ulta Beauty’s Enterprise Systems organization is seeking a passionate, hands‑on Lead Engineer Merchandise Technology. The role is responsible for the technical design, delivery, and continuous improvement of enterprise merchandising systems supporting planning, forecasting, allocation, and inventory management capabilities. The lead engineer partners closely with Product, Data, and Business stakeholders to deliver scalable, high‑performing solutions that enable data‑driven merchandising decisions. YOU'LL ACCOMPLISH THIS BY Lead the design, development, and deployment of merchandising technology solutions supporting demand forecasting, assortment planning, allocation, replenishment, and inventory optimization. Serve as the technical lead within an Agile product pod, partnering with Product Managers, Product Owners, and Architects to deliver high‑quality solutions aligned to business outcomes. Architect and implement scalable, resilient integrations across enterprise systems including ERP, planning platforms, data platforms, and downstream operational systems. Provide deep technical expertise in large‑scale retail platform implementations, including configuration, customization, and integration of commercial off‑the‑shelf solutions. Drive engineering best practices across the team, including code quality, automated testing, CI/CD pipelines, DevOps, and system observability. Lead technical solutioning and hands‑on development for integrations involving merchandising, inventory, and financial data across complex system landscapes. Partner with Data & Analytics teams to ensure high‑quality, governed data flows that support advanced analytics, reporting, and AI/ML use cases. Ensure system performance, scalability, and reliability to support high‑volume retail operations across stores and digital channels. Identify and resolve technical risks, constraints, and dependencies across cross‑functional initiatives. Provide mentorship and technical guidance to engineers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and engineering excellence. Collaborate with vendors and system integrators to ensure successful delivery, support, and optimization of commercial retail platforms. Participate in release planning, system demos, and production support, ensuring smooth deployment and operational stability. ESSENTIALS FOR SUCCESS Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience). 8+ years of software engineering experience, with at least 2+ years in a lead or senior engineering role. Proven experience working in retail technology environments, with strong domain knowledge in merchandising, inventory management, or supply chain planning. Hands‑on experience implementing or supporting commercial retail planning and inventory management platforms such as Oracle Retail, Blue Yonder, or similar solutions. Demonstrated experience delivering large‑scale, cross‑functional platform implementations across merchandising, finance, supply chain, and data ecosystems. Strong understanding of retail data models, including product hierarchy, inventory positioning, demand forecasting, and financial planning concepts. Experience designing and building integrations using APIs, event‑driven architectures, ETL/ELT pipelines, and middleware platforms. Proficiency in modern engineering practices including microservices architecture, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP), and DevOps tooling. Experience working with data platforms (e.g., Snowflake, Databricks) and enabling data for analytics and AI/ML use cases. Strong understanding of Agile development methodologies and experience working within product‑centric delivery models. Excellent problem‑solving skills with the ability to navigate complex technical and business challenges. Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence both technical and non‑technical stakeholders. Experience working with third‑party vendors and system integrators in complex enterprise environments. Compensation & Benefits The pay range for this position is $102,900.00 – $150,000.00 per year with the opportunity for eligible associates to earn additional compensation pursuant to the Company’s bonus plan. Full‑time positions are eligible for paid time off, health, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits. Part‑time positions are eligible for dental, vision, life, and disability benefits. For additional information concerning our benefits, visit our Benefits and Career Development page. EEO Statement We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act. #J-18808-Ljbffr Ulta Beauty