Principal Engineer

Principal EngineerThe Equipment & Vendor Finance business enables commercial clients to acquire, lease, and manage capital equipment through flexible financing solutions.Software engineering is changing. AI is changing not only how we write code, but how we design systems, solve problems, modernize technology, and operate software.We are looking for a Principal Engineer who wants to help lead that change.You will combine deep engineering expertise with curiosity, strong technical judgment, and a willingness to build. You will help us simplify complex technology, put AI to work on real problems, and raise the technical capabilities of the engineers around you.This is not an advisory-only role. We are looking for someone who can think at enterprise scale and still get close to the technology.In this role, you will:Act as an advisor to leadership to develop or influence applications, network, information security, database, operating systems, or web technologies for highly complex business and technical needs across multiple groupsLead the strategy and resolution of highly complex and unique challenges requiring evaluation across multiple areas or the enterpriseTranslate business strategy, technology opportunities, and engineering constraints into practical technical solutionsProvide technical vision and direction for significant business and technology initiativesStay current with emerging technologies and identify where they can create meaningful business or engineering advantageStrategically engage with professionals and managers across the enterprise and serve as an expert advisor to leadershipStay hands-on. Turn difficult ideas and problems into prototypes, working software, reference implementations, and reusable engineering patternsHelp redefine how we build software in an AI-native world, from design and development through testing, modernization, operations, and maintenanceChallenge unnecessary complexity. Simplify architectures, automate repetitive work, and question assumptions that no longer make senseMove quickly from idea to evidence. Prototype, test, learn, measure, and scale what worksRaise the technical bar across teams through coaching, pairing, design reviews, code reviews, and hands-on technical leadershipMake other engineers better. Create patterns, tools, and practices that allow teams to solve harder problems and move fasterRequired Qualifications:7+ years of Engineering experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, educationDesired Qualifications:Deep hands-on software engineering experience designing and building complex enterprise applications and distributed systemsStrong engineering fundamentals across software design, APIs, cloud technologies, data and integration patterns, automated testing, CI/CD, observability, security, reliability, and production operationsExperience using generative AI and AI-assisted engineering tools to improve how software is built, tested, modernized, documented, operated, and supportedExperience experimenting with emerging AI capabilities such as large language models, retrieval-augmented generation, agentic systems, tool use, orchestration, and evaluationStrong technical judgment. Know when AI is the right answer and, equally important, when it is notAbility to simplify complex and legacy technology environments through better architecture, automation, APIs, modern engineering practices, and incremental modernizationAbility to take an ambiguous problem, break it down, build something, learn quickly, and turn the results into a scalable solutionExperience creating reusable engineering patterns and guardrails that make it easier for other engineers to build secure, reliable softwareAbility to influence technical direction across teams without relying on organizational authorityStrong communication skills with the ability to make complex technical decisions understandable to engineers, business partners, risk partners, and leadersA track record of developing other engineers through coaching, pairing, technical reviews, and knowledge sharingIntellectual curiosity and the ability to learn quickly, question assumptions, and separate meaningful technology shifts from hypeJob Expectations:Remain hands-on with technology while operating as a technical leader across teamsHelp build an AI-native engineering culture where AI becomes a practical part of how software is designed, built, tested, modernized, operated, and maintainedBuild prototypes and reference implementations rather than relying only on presentations, recommendations, or architecture documentsFind practical opportunities to use AI and automation to reduce engineering toil, improve quality, accelerate delivery, and simplify technologyEstablish clear engineering guardrails for AI, including security, testing, evaluation, observability, data protection, and appropriate human oversightChallenge complexity and legacy assumptions. Look for the simpler solutionExperiment quickly, measure the results, keep what works, and discard what does notHelp teams move successful ideas from prototype to secure, reliable, production-quality solutionsWork across Engineering, Product, Architecture, Cybersecurity, Risk, and business teams to solve problems that cross traditional organizational boundariesCoach engineers to strengthen their technical judgment, system design, AI fluency, and ability to independently solve difficult problemsCreate leverage. Build patterns, capabilities, and knowledge that make multiple engineering teams more effectiveMeasure success through outcomes, including better software, faster delivery, less operational toil, simpler architecture, and stronger engineersKeep learning. Technology will change. The expectation is that you will change with itLocation:Brevard Street, Charlotte, North Carolina111432 Las Colinas, Irving TXPosting End Date:22 Nov 2026*Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.We Value Equal OpportunityWells Fargo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic.