Principal Software Engineer
About the Role
You will lead the design, development, and scaling of core backend systems and APIs. You will own mission-critical projects end-to-end, make architectural decisions, troubleshoot performance and reliability issues at scale, and drive improvements to CI/CD and observability. You will mentor senior engineers, promote engineering best practices, and work with product and security stakeholders to align technical execution with high-stakes financial requirements.
Requirements
- 10+ years of backend software engineering, with leadership in fintech or blockchain
- Mastery of TypeScript plus one or more systems languages (Rust, Go, C++)
- Proven track record building scalable APIs, infrastructure, and developer platforms
- Deep expertise with databases (PostgreSQL, DynamoDB, NoSQL) and cloud (AWS)
- Strong knowledge of microservices, CI/CD pipelines, observability, and SSDLC
- Familiar with applied cryptography, PKI, and secure backend architectures
- Exceptional problem-solving, communication, and ability to influence technical direction
Responsibilities
- Lead the design and development of scalable, secure backend services and APIs
- Define and evolve architecture for databases, microservices, and integrations
- Own mission-critical projects end to end, from requirements to production and iteration
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex performance and reliability challenges at scale
- Drive improvements to CI/CD, observability, and engineering processes across teams
- Collaborate with leadership to shape roadmap priorities and long-term technical vision
- Mentor engineers, promote best practices, and represent Dfns in client discussions
Benefits
- Healthcare
- Pension plan
- Travel expenses
- 150–300 stock options vested over 4 years
- MacBook Pro and essentials
- Flexible working hours
- Open to full remote / work from anywhere
- Food service or stocked kitchen
- Free food and snacks
- Pet-friendly office