Senior Principal Software Engineer

Description

We're looking for a Senior Principal Software Engineer with deep technical expertise, excellent communication skills, and who can serve as a hands-on technical lead on major programs to support our clients. You'll leverage expertise across multiple languages and frameworks to design and build scalable solutions. Beyond writing clean code, you'll collaborate with stakeholders, mentor team members, and help drive CTG's growth by taking initiative on high-impact projects. If you're a seasoned, high-impact engineer and lifelong learner who thrives on solving complex problems, communicating technical concepts clearly, and driving meaningful change in civic tech, we’d love to hear from you!

Client Requirements: applicants MUST BE US Citizens and be able to obtain Public Trust clearance

Responsibilities

• Lead and architect full-stack solutions across front-end, back-end, and database layers using modern technologies
• Develop and maintain applications using Java, TypeScript, Python, React, and/or related languages
• Design and optimize high-performance databases using PostgreSQL and other SQL and NoSQL technologies
• Establish and enforce CI/CD best practices and DevOps principles across development workflows
• Deploy and manage applications on AWS infrastructure using containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes
• Serve as a technical lead on major programs, mentoring junior engineers and conducting code reviews
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, scope solutions, and deliver results in agile environments
• Lead and manage engineering teams, fostering a culture of continuous learning and high performance
• Drive initiatives that support CTG's growth and contribute to organizational success beyond day-to-day product work
• Lead internal rapid prototyping efforts and R&D projects

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field
• 10+ years of software engineering experience, with at least 5 year tenure in recent roles
• Preference given to candidates in the DMV area 
• Strong proficiency in multiple programming languages including Java, JavaScript, Python, React, TypeScript, or related languages
• Hands-on experience with relational databases (MySQL, Postgres, SQL)
• Familiarity with web servers and deployment infrastructure (e.g., Nginx, AWS)
• Knowledge of UI/UX design principles and the ability to collaborate effectively with design teams
• Proven leadership and mentoring experience, with the ability to guide and develop engineering teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical topics to diverse audiences
• Demonstrated experience with CI/CD practices and modern software development workflows
• Experience with Docker and/or Kubernetes
• Experience with infrastructure-as-code tools or cloud platform management
• Comfort working in version-controlled, collaborative environments (Git/GitHub)
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities with a track record of delivering high-impact solutions
• Excellent communication skills

Nice to Have Skills

• Experience with Python
• Certified Kubernetes Administrator, AWS Solution Architect Professional, or equivalent certification

Salary Range

We are committed to offering a competitive salary for this position, with an estimated range of $170k to $200k annually. Please note that this range is intended to provide a general idea of what to expect; however, the final offer may vary based on experience, skills, and other factors. The stated range is not a guarantee and is subject to change.