Principal Software Engineer

Principal Software Engineer

Build the future of food service technology — Lead, code, and innovate. We're seeking a Principal Software Engineer to design, build, and modernize critical in-house applications for a leading food service operations provider. This role blends hands-on software development with technical leadership, owning application architecture while actively coding, setting development standards, and mentoring engineers to deliver scalable, secure middle-office and B2B solutions that support business operations. You'll work on high-impact, in-house digital applications, including:

• Front-office (B2C and B2B) applications
• Middle-office systems that optimize operations and drive efficiency across the business

This role is open to candidates based in Houston, TX; Pittsburgh, PA; or Minneapolis, MN. Compensation Range: $130,000.00 to $140,000.00 based on experience.

What You'll Do:

• Strategy, Governance & Process
• Define and implement governance frameworks, standards, and best practices for the development, deployment, and maintenance of custom applications.
• Establish SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) and change management processes to ensure consistency and quality across projects.
• Partner with IT leadership to align custom application development with enterprise architecture, security, and compliance standards.
• Evaluate and implement tools and methodologies to improve code quality, version control, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Create and maintain documentation for technical standards, development guidelines, and application portfolios.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
• Work closely with business stakeholders to translate functional requirements into technical solutions.
• Collaborate with infrastructure, architecture, and security teams to ensure scalable, secure, and performant solutions.
• Serve as the technical liaison between business units and IT, bridging the gap between strategic needs and technical implementation.
• Communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders, fostering alignment and understanding.
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Identify opportunities to modernize legacy systems and improve overall application performance and maintainability.
• Research and recommend emerging technologies that can enhance development efficiency and user experience.
• Champion a DevOps culture and advocate for automation, monitoring, and proactive application management.
• Technical Leadership & Hands-On Development
• Lead design and development of custom web and enterprise applications, including both front-end and back-end components.
• Write clean, maintainable, and efficient code using modern technologies and frameworks.
• Provide technical mentorship and code reviews to other developers, promoting continuous learning and adherence to standards.
• Drive solution design sessions, reviewing architecture and ensuring that implementations meet design and performance requirements.
• Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis for complex system issues.

What We're Looking For:

• Proven experience designing scalable, high-performance applications.
• Strong skills in C#, JavaScript/TypeScript, Angular, and Entity Framework.
• Experience with Clean Architecture, Domain-Driven Design (DDD), Microservices, and development best practices.
• Cloud development experience (preferably Microsoft Azure) and DevOps (CI/CD).
• Solid understanding of databases (SQL Server) and object-oriented programming.
• Ability to balance hands-on coding with leadership and mentoring responsibilities.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of professional .NET development experience.
• Experience with Azure services (AKS, Functions, App Services, Data Lake, Data Factory, Logic Apps).
• Familiarity with service-oriented architectures and containerization.
• Front-end development experience with Angular.
• AI/ML experience is a plus but not required.

Why You'll Love This Role:

• Lead and build: Own architecture decisions while staying hands-on with coding.
• Impact food service delivery: Develop critical middle-office and B2B applications that enhance operational efficiency and customer experience.
• Multiple locations: Join a team in Houston, Pittsburgh, or Minneapolis.
• Innovation-first culture: Collaborate with talented engineers on cutting-edge solutions.
• Mentor and grow: Develop your team while advancing your own technical leadership skills.

Preferred Certifications:

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate
• Certified Software Development Professional
• Certified Solutions Architect
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

Ready to lead, code, and drive innovation at the forefront of food service delivery? Apply today! This position does not offer visa sponsorship. Corp-to-Corp arrangements will not be considered.

About Elior North America: Elior North America is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to diversity and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities. We take pride in supporting the development of our employees and their skills at all levels and in fostering an environment of growth.