Principal Software Engineer

Overview : We're seeking a Principal Software Engineer for our Pleasanton, CA office to architect and implement scalable platform solutions that power seamless recipient experiences across our global network. You'll own critical systems from conception through production, working closely with Product Management to transform growth strategies into robust technical implementations. This role combines deep technical expertise with strategic thinking to build the infrastructure that enables millions of recipients to engage with our digital ecosystem. Note: Hybrid role  Responsibilities: Technical Platform OwnershipArchitect, design, and maintain large-scale distributed systems supporting order management, payment processing, and customer engagementLead technical decision-making for API-first platforms that integrate with multiple business systems and external partnersDrive performance optimization and scalability improvements across core revenue-generating platformsEstablish technical roadmaps and guide implementation across multi-year platform evolutionCross-System Integration & InnovationDesign and implement secure, reusable widget architectures for card servicing, payment acquisition, and customer personalizationBuild embeddable solutions that maintain PCI compliance while enabling rapid deployment across web and mobile applicationsCreate integration frameworks that connect catalog management, order processing, payments, fraud/risk, and settlement systemsDevelop proof-of-concept solutions for emerging business requirements and customer engagement opportunitiesSecurity & Compliance LeadershipChampion security best practices including threat modeling, secure authentication frameworks, and data protection protocolsDesign PCI-compliant architectures using tokenization, sandboxed iframes, and strict access controlsImplement security layers including rate limiting, bot protection, and vulnerability assessmentsEnsure all platform solutions meet enterprise security standards and regulatory requirementsCollaboration & Technical LeadershipPartner with Product Management to translate growth funnel strategies into technical implementationsWork closely with cross-functional teams (Payments+, Fraud/Risk, Infosec) to deliver integrated solutionsMentor software engineers and provide technical guidance on architecture decisionsLead incident response and post-mortem analysis to improve system reliabilityPlatform ModernizationDrive adoption of modern infrastructure technologies including serverless computing (AWS Lambda), API gateways, and cloud-native architecturesImplement observability solutions for monitoring, metrics, and performance analysisEstablish development best practices and tooling that accelerate team productivityAuthor comprehensive technical documentation and operational runbooks Qualifications: Experience+12 years of enterprise software development experience with focus on large-scale, distributed systemsProven track record of architecting platforms that process high transaction volumes with strict uptime requirementsExperience with payment systems, e-commerce platforms, or financial technology solutions preferredBackground in API design, microservices architecture, and cloud-native developmentTechnical SkillsStrong proficiency in Java, Spring, nodejsHands-on experience with REST APIs, GraphQL and modern web architecturesSolid understanding of software engineering fundamentals, design patterns, and scalable systemsDemonstrated ability to own complex systems and drive technical strategyExcellent debugging, troubleshooting, and performance optimization skillsComfortable providing production support as neededExperience in CI/CD pipelines and cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP, or similar)Familiarity with observability tools (. New Relic, Splunk)Prior experience in user-facing or enterprise-scale platformsLeadership & CommunicationStrong communication and cross-team collaboration skillsExperience mentoring engineers and driving technical decision-making across teamsProven ability to balance technical excellence with business requirements and delivery timelinesTrack record of successful cross-functional collaboration in fast-paced environmentsMindsetSystems thinking approach to complex technical challengesCustomer-focused mindset with understanding of user experience implicationsData-driven decision making and commitment to measurable resultsPassion for building scalable, secure, and maintainable solutions Benefits: Salary Range for California Residents Only: $205,420.00 to $287,600.00Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, Blackhawk Network offers benefits including 401k with employer match, medical, dental, vision, 12 paid holidays in the year 2025, 1 hour of sick pay accrual for every 30 hours worked, parental leave, life insurance, disability insurance, accident and illness insurance, health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, wellness benefits, and flexible time off for all full-time employees. EEO Statement: Blackhawk Network provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Blackhawk Network believes that diversity leads to strength. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.Blackhawk Network encourages applicants with previous criminal records to