Full Stack Software Engineer - Principal

Job Description

Our client is a custom software development company out of Grand Rapids, Michigan, that exists to make software that humans actually like to use.

Type: P/T or F/T Contract - they will take a look at all options


Duration: 3+ months to start


Location: West MI (Prefer hybrid-EST) MORE local the better

Role Overview:

We're seeking an experienced Principal Software Engineer to join our growing team. In this role, you'll provide technical leadership and expertise to make our teams and clients successful. You'll architect robust systems , mentor team members, and drive technical excellence throughout the organization. This position combines hands-on development with strategic leadership responsibilities , making it ideal for someone who enjoys both writing quality code and guiding others to achieve technical excellence.


As a Principal Software Engineer, you'll work with an experienced, friendly team of software engineers, architects, and product managers to build innovative solutions that solve real business challenges for our diverse client base. If you enjoy technical leadership, architectural design, and working with cutting-edge technologies across a variety of domains, you'll thrive here.


What You'll Do:

Technical Leadership & Architecture

• Lead system design activities within your domain(s) of expertise
• Architect scalable, secure, and maintainable software solutions that meet client requirements
• Provide internal leadership within your domains of expertise, including defining best practices
• Help steer the organization's technical direction across projects and initiatives
• Use advanced understanding of software craftsmanship to guide development decisions

Mentorship & Team Development

• Mentor engineers at all levels of the organization and be willing to be mentored yourself.
• Help cultivate a high-performing engineering culture focused on quality and innovation
• Promote and challenge new ideas within the engineering team
• Lead technical initiatives and resolve complex project issues

Client Engagement & Business Development

• Work directly with customers to define and execute their technical vision
• Support sales activities by generating technical discovery questions, crafting solution designs, and contributing to proposals
• Communicate complex technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Deliver compelling demos that showcase progress and gather valuable feedback

Software Development Excellence

• Contribute hands-on development to strategic projects
• Apply advanced understanding of automated testing, CI/CD practices, and DevOps methodologies
• Implement and promote software security best practices
• Use unit testing and other quality-focused methodologies to ensure reliable, maintainable code

Innovation & Growth

• Serve as a thought leader both inside and outside the organization. This includes, but is not limited to, presentations and blogging.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends
• Contribute to defining the future direction of our technical offerings
• Apply the consultant mindset to all project-related tasks

Job Requirements

What You'll Bring:

Required Skills & Experience

• 10+ years of professional software development experience
• Advanced expertise in at least one technical domain (Embedded, Cloud, Web, Mobile, Full Stack)
• Proficient in multiple programming languages relevant to your domain expertise
• Experience leading software projects and resolving complex technical challenges
• Strong architectural design skills with the ability to create scalable, secure solutions
• Advanced understanding of automated testing, CI/CD, and DevOps practices
• Expertise in software security best practices
• Proven experience mentoring other developers and providing technical leadership
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly
• Experience supporting business development through solution design and technical proposals
• Demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts effectively with both clients and team members

Bonus Points for:

• Experience across multiple domains
• Background in IoT methodologies and protocols
• Knowledge of distributed systems architecture
• Experience communicating with C-level executives and stakeholders
• Public speaking or technical writing experience
• Experience with AI and machine learning technologies
• Background in leading system design activities