Principal Software Engineer (Contract Lead/Python)

Role overview A principal-level engineering leader is needed to serve as the contract lead and solution architect for a government-facing technology modernization engagement. The position combines hands-on technical direction with significant client-facing work, defining the architectural roadmap while coordinating engineering teams, vendors, and public-sector stakeholders. It is a heavy stakeholder role focused on delivering secure, reliable, modern cloud systems that replace legacy infrastructure.

Responsibilities - Direct a team of engineers, providing coaching, performance feedback, and ongoing professional development support. - Set the technical vision and architectural roadmap in partnership with clients and the delivery organization, then translate that strategy into actionable engineering work. - Engage directly with government sponsors to secure alignment on technical initiatives and represent engineering in executive and external conversations. - Make core architectural decisions that balance near-term delivery commitments against long-term maintainability and program goals. - Manage technical delivery, including risk identification, dependency tracking, scope changes, and trade-off negotiation. - Establish and enforce engineering standards for code quality, testing, security, documentation, and operational readiness. - Coordinate across teaming partners, subcontractors, and other practices on the contract to keep work integrated within the larger program.

Requirements - 10+ years of software engineering experience with at least 2 years managing engineers and leading technical delivery. - Demonstrated depth managing relationships across clients, customers, vendors, subcontractors, and other stakeholders in complex programs. - Significant experience defining technical strategy and architecture for modern, scalable, open-source-based systems. - Strong communication skills, including the ability to translate between executives, non-technical stakeholders, and developers. - Track record of planning, estimation, prioritization, and trade-off management across multiple engineering streams. - Background supporting government or similarly scrutinized public-sector environments is strongly preferred.

Benefits and work setup - Fully remote within an approved set of U.S. states; a company laptop and home-office setup assistance are provided. - Monthly reimbursement toward eligible home-office utility expenses. - Internal training, an annual learning allowance, and access to a major online learning platform for courses, tuition, and certifications. - Pre-tax commuter benefits for any in-office travel, a referral bonus, and a collaborative remote-friendly culture.