Principal Software Engineer

Introduction to role & team

Bumble’s platform is powered by technology that connects millions of people across the world - and as we scale, the complexity and impact of our systems grow with it. As a Principal Software Engineer, you will operate as a technical leader shaping the future of our full-stack architecture, from user-facing applications to deeply distributed backend systems.

This role is central to how we deliver on our mission to foster healthy, equitable relationships. You’ll influence long-term technical strategy, champion innovation, and embed AI-powered approaches into how we build and scale. Grounded in our values of Excellence and Courage, you’ll lead through influence- empowering teams, raising engineering standards, and driving meaningful outcomes across the organization.

• Define and drive long-term technical strategy across full stack systems, ensuring scalability, resilience, and performance
• Architect and guide the development of complex applications and distributed backend services at scale
• Lead the adoption of modern frontend and backend technologies (e.g., Go, Kotlin, microservices architectures) to enable rapid, high-quality delivery
• Partner with senior leaders across Product, Data, and Design to shape roadmap decisions and align technology with business impact
• Act as a technical authority, mentoring engineers and influencing engineering practices across teams
• Embed AI into engineering strategy and workflows, identifying opportunities to accelerate development and unlock new product capabilities
• Drive cross-functional collaboration, taking ownership of critical initiatives and adapting approaches with an agile mindset
• Champion Bumble values such as Respect and Curiosity
  , fostering inclusive innovation and continuous learning across the engineering community

• Typically requires 12+ years of experience, though we welcome candidates with alternative backgrounds that demonstrate equivalent skills
• Deep expertise in full stack engineering, with a track record of building and scaling complex applications and backend systems
• Strong experience in system design, distributed systems, and cloud-native architectures (e.g., AWS, GCP, Kubernetes)
• Expertise in modern frontend and backend technologies (e.g., React, Node.js, Java, or similar) with the ability to guide architectural decisions
• Proven ability to influence across teams and lead through technical excellence rather than formal authority
• Advanced AI fluency, with experience embedding AI into development practices, systems, or product capabilities
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of ambiguous, high-impact challenges and drive them through to successful outcomes
• Embodies Bumble values such as Excellence and Courage
  , acting as a role model for engineering quality, inclusion, and innovation

$280,000 - $320,000 a year

Bumble Inc. is the parent company of Bumble Date, BFF, and Badoo. The Bumble platform enables people to build healthy and equitable relationships, through Kind Connections. Founded by Whitney Wolfe Herd in 2014, Bumble was one of the first dating apps built with women at the center and connects people across dating (Bumble Date) and friendship (BFF). BFF is a friendship app where people in all stages of life can meet people nearby and create meaningful platonic connections and community based on shared interests.

Badoo, which was founded in 2006, is one of the pioneers of web and mobile dating products.

AI is important to us. We’re excited by people who are curious and experimental, and who think thoughtfully about how AI can amplify their impact and outcomes.

Will be determined based on factors such as the selected candidate’s qualifications, relevant experience, skill set, and other job-related considerations.

• Insurance:
  Medical/dental/vision, 30-day eligibility.
• Unlimited PTO + 1 company-wide week off + Focus Fridays every week
• Fully paid life and long-term disability insurance
• 401k with 4% company match if you contribute 6%, 90-day eligibility
• Monthly wellness benefit and access to Noom, Unmind, and Your Money Line
• Maternity and Fertility benefit + 26 week…