(USA) Distinguished, Software Engineer

Reference: R-2471114Posted: 2026-04-14Location: SUNNYVALE, CA, United StatesSalary: $169000 - $338000/yearType: Full time / Regular/PermanentCompany: WalmartBusiness Segment: Home OfficePosition SummaryWe are seeking a Distinguished Software Engineer to provide hands-on, domain-level technical leadership for Walmart’s Search Runtime platform. This role owns the technical vision and architecture, driving the design of scalable, AI-powered search systems that serve billions of queries. You will shape long-term strategy, lead critical architectural decisions, and influence multiple teams to deliver high-impact solutions that improve product discovery and business outcomes. This role requires deep expertise in distributed systems, search technologies, and AI/ML-driven relevance, along with a proven ability to operate across organizational boundaries to deliver impact at scale.About the TeamThe Search team powers product discovery across Walmart’s global platforms, handling massive scale with strict latency and availability requirements. Whether a customer is searching for a specific item or browsing through categories, our platform powers the intelligence behind product discovery. We leverage large-scale structured and unstructured data - combined with advanced information retrieval, machine learning, and ranking algorithms - to deliver highly relevant, personalized, and seamless discovery experiences.What You’ll DoDefine and drive the technical strategy and architecture for Search Runtime across retrieval, ranking, indexing, and serving systems.Lead the design of scalable, low-latency, high-availability distributed systems.Build and evolve AI-powered search capabilities including semantic search, vector retrieval, and ML-driven ranking.Integrate ML/AI models into real-time production systems to improve relevance and conversion.Drive operational excellence including observability, reliability, performance, and cost efficiency.Lead large cross-org initiatives and align engineering, product, and data science teams.Mentor and develop engineers across levels and raise the bar for design, code quality, and engineering practices.Identify and resolve system bottlenecks; drive continuous optimization and innovation.What You’ll BringBachelor’s degree with 12+ years (or Master’s with 10+ years) in software engineering, building and scaling large distributed systems.Strong product and engineering mindset, linking system design decisions to customer experience and business outcomes.Deep expertise in search architectures, including retrieval, indexing, ranking, and system trade-offs.Experience designing and operating run-time orchestration systems for complex, distributed workflows and services.Strong experience with low-latency, high-availability services, performance optimization, and reliability at scale.Proficiency in backend technologies (Java/Spring or similar) and modern cloud-native architectures.Proven ability to lead large, cross-team engineering initiatives and influence system design across organizations.Preferred QualificationsExperience in e-commerce or marketplace platforms at scale.Experience working with global or multi-region systems and teams.Experience building 01 products or launching new product surfaces.Background in fast-scaling consumer technology companies.About Walmart Global Tech Imagine working in an environment where one line of code can make life easier for hundreds of millions of people. That’s what we do at Walmart Global Tech. We’re a team of software engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity expert's and service professionals within the world’s leading retailer who make an epic impact and are at the forefront of the next retail disruption. People are why we innovate, and people power our innovations. We are people-led and tech-empowered. We train our team in the skillsets of the future and bring in experts like you to help us grow. We have roles for those chasing their first opportunity as well as those looking for the opportunity that will define their career. Here, you can kickstart a great career in tech, gain new skills and experience for virtually every industry, or leverage your expertise to innovate at scale, impact millions and reimagine the future of retail.Walmart’s culture is a competitive advantage, and it’s fostered by being together. Working together in person allows us to collaborate, align quickly and innovate with greater speed. We use our campuses to create purposeful connection rooted in deepening understanding and investing in the development of our associates. Our hubs: Walmart is a global company with offices across the United States and around the world. Our global headquarters is in Bentonville, Arkansas, with primary hubs in the San Francisco Bay area and New York/New Jersey. Benefits:Beyond our great compensation package, you can receive incentive awards for your performance. Other great perks include 401(k) match, stock purchase plan, paid maternity and parental leave, PTO, multiple health plans, and much more.Equal Opportunity Employer:Walmart, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer – By Choice. We believe we are best equipped to help our associates, customers, and the communities we serve live better when we really know them. That means understanding, respecting, and valuing unique styles, experiences, identities, ideas, and opinions – while being inclusive of all people.The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed in the role. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. The full Job Description can be made available as part of the hiring process. At Walmart, we offer competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet. Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage. Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance. Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting. Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more. You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes. The amount you receive depends on your job classification and length of employment. It will meet or exceed the requirements of paid sick leave laws, where applicable. For information about PTO, see . Live Better U is a Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to a specific plan or program terms. For information about benefits and eligibility, see One.Walmart. The annual salary range for this position is $169,000.00 - $338,000.00 Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly performance bonuses. Additional compensation for certain positions may also include : - StockMinimum qualifications["Option 1: Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, computer information systems, software engineering, or related area and 6 years’ experience in software engineering or related area.Option 2: 8 years’ experience in software engineering or related area."]Preferred qualifications["Master’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, computer information systems, software engineering, or related area and 4 years' experience in software engineering or related area", "We value candidates with a background in creating inclusive digital experiences, demonstrating knowledge in implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standards, assistive technologies, and integrating digital accessibility seamlessly. The ideal candidate would have knowledge of accessibility best practices and join us as we continue to create accessible products and services following Walmart’s accessibility standards and guidelines for supporting an inclusive culture."]