Principal Software Engineer, Level 7

We’re looking for a Principal Software Engineer to join Snap Inc.

• Design, implement, and scale critical engineering components and services to support Snap's most strategic initiatives.
• Work across teams to understand product requirements, evaluate trade‑offs, and deliver the solutions needed to build innovative products or services.
• Advocate for and apply best practices when it comes to availability, scalability, operational excellence, and cost management.
• Provide technical direction that influences the entire company.

• Excellent programming and software design skills, including debugging, performance analysis, and test design.
• Proven track record of operating highly‑available systems at scale.
• Ability to proactively learn new concepts and technology and apply them at work.
• Skilled at solving ambiguous problems.
• Strong collaboration and mentorship skills.

• Bachelor’s in a technical field such as computer science, mathematics, or statistics, or equivalent years of experience.
• 10+ years of post‑Bachelor’s software development experience; or a Master’s degree in a technical field + 9+ years of post‑grad experience; or a PhD in a related field + 6+ years of post‑grad experience.
• 2+ years of experience with technical leadership or acting as the domain expert in a technical organization.li>
• Experience in technical leadership/ownership and setting technical direction for engineering projects.
• Experience architecting, designing, and developing distributed systems.

• Advanced degree in a technical field such as computer science.
• Experience with cross‑platform development.li>
• Ability to promote product excellence and collaboration, driving a portfolio of concurrent engineering projects from short‑term critical feature launches to long‑term research initiatives.
• Ability to create a compelling vision for the future, communicate clearly, and have a collaborative leadership approach.

Snap Inc. offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes paid parental leave, comprehensive medical coverage, emotional and mental health support programs, and compensation packages that allow employees to share in Snap’s long‑term success.

In the United States, work locations are assigned a pay zone which determines the salary range for this position. The starting pay will be determined based on job‑related skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions. The base salary range is:

• Zone A (CA, WA, NYC): $276,000‑$414,000 annually.
• Zone B: $262,000‑$393,000 annually.
• Zone C: $235,000‑$352,000 annually.

This position is eligible for equity in the form of RSUs.

Snap is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. EOE, including disability/vets.

We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring, where applicable.