Principal Engineer - Mobile

Role Description

The Principal Engineer - Mobile operates at the intersection of deep technical execution and broad organizational influence. This role will resolve the hardest architectural questions, set the AI-native engineering bar, and ensure that iHerb's platform decisions compound over time rather than accumulate debt. Reporting to the VP of Engineering, this role collaborates closely with peer Principals, Engineering Managers, and peer VPs across the organization.

This role owns the end-to-end technical strategy for iHerb's mobile platform, covering iOS and Android apps used by millions of customers globally. You will lead the mobile modernization effort, drive platform and architecture decisions, and set the technical bar for the Mobile team.

• Define and own the mobile platform architecture: platform choices, app structure, shared component strategy, and native versus cross-platform patterns.
• Lead the technical scoping and execution of the mobile modernization effort, coordinating with the Mobile EM and cross-functional partners.
• Hands-on contributor: write production mobile code, build proofs of concept, and validate architecture through working software.
• Set and enforce technical standards for the Mobile team; drive code reviews and architecture reviews.
• Evaluate and decide on cross-platform frameworks where appropriate, based on engineering tradeoffs and long-term maintainability.
• Contribute mobile-specific patterns and lessons into iHerb's shared AI-driven SDLC golden path.
• Drive the hardest cross-cutting technical decisions across multiple teams and shared platform services.
• Establish and evolve iHerb's AI-driven SDLC golden path: shared standards, Claude Code skills, guardrails, and automation patterns.
• Lead complex multi-team technical efforts by coordinating architecture reviews, aligning peer Principals and EMs, and resolving competing approaches.
• Mentor and raise the technical bar across the engineering organization through code review, architecture review, and direct coaching of senior engineers.
• Represent engineering in cross-functional conversations with product, data science, security, and infrastructure.
• Feed architectural decisions into the shared knowledge base so institutional knowledge compounds across the organization.

Qualifications

• AI-driven SDLC (required): demonstrated use of AI-assisted development tools such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, or Cursor to ship production systems.
• Architecture at scale: experience designing and evolving large-scale distributed systems across multiple teams and years: APIs, data pipelines, event-driven architectures, or high-traffic platforms.
• Cross-org technical leadership: track record of driving architectural standards, technical roadmaps, or platform initiatives that span multiple teams or organizations.
• Engineering quality mindset: deeply held opinions on code quality, observability, CI/CD, test automation, and maintaining velocity without accumulating hidden debt.
• Communication and influence: able to write clear architecture documents, present to technical and non-technical audiences, and build consensus without formal authority.
• Experience working in distributed teams across the US, China, and Latin America.
• Deep expertise in Swift (iOS) and Kotlin (Android); production-level experience in both platforms is required at this level.
• Hands-on experience with cross-platform mobile frameworks: React Native or Kotlin Multiplatform.
• Track record of owning mobile platform architecture decisions: app structure, state management, offline handling, performance, and release processes.
• Experience leading a mobile platform modernization or significant re-architecture effort.
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent organization skills and ability to multi-task.

Requirements

• Generally requires a minimum of 10+ years of software engineering experience, with a significant portion at senior, staff, or principal IC level.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or related field preferred, or a combination of education and equivalent work experience.

Benefits

• Employees (and their families) that meet eligibility criteria as outlined in applicable plan documents are eligible to participate in our medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance programs.
• Employees may enroll in our company’s 401(k) plan.
• Employees will also be eligible for Time Off and Paid Sick Leave pursuant to the company’s policies.
• Employees will enjoy paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
• Hired applicant may be awarded Restrict Stock Units and receive annual bonuses pursuant to eligibility and performance criteria defined in the respective plan documents and policies.