Principal Software Engineer Backend Technologies (Platform)

Join Turnitin, a leading educational technology company, as a Principal Software Engineer focused on backend development. In this hands-on role, you will design, develop, and optimize scalable backend services using Java and serverless technologies. You will also provide technical leadership, mentor junior developers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams. This position offers a remote-first working arrangement and a range of benefits, including social impact programs, tuition reimbursement, and wellness support.

• Lead and design the development and optimization of scalable backend services using Java and serverless technologies.
• Provide technical leadership to the team, ensuring alignment with architectural standards and best practices.
• Mentor and guide junior developers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing.
• Solid understanding of frontend technologies, including React and Web Components, with the ability to contribute when needed
• Demonstrated ability to lead and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders across multiple locations, including distributed teams in Europe and the USA, to deliver impactful, high-quality solutions
• Over 10 years of experience in backend development with deep profi ciency in Java and extensive hands-on experience with serverless frameworks (e.g., AWS Lambda, Google Cloud Functions)
• Proven ability to conduct comprehensive system design reviews, ensuring architectural alignment, scalability, performance, and adherence to best practices
• Familiarity with modern DevOps practices and infrastructure-as-code (IaC)
• Deep understanding of software development best practices, including design patterns, test-driven development (TDD), behavior-driven development (BDD), and clean code principles
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Strong problem-solving skills, with a track record of troubleshooting and optimizing existing systems for performance, scalability, and cost effi ciency
• Exceptional collaboration skills, working effectively across cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Architects, and other engineering leads
• Experience implementing and managing CI/CD pipelines for automated build, deployment, and testing
• Practical expertise in cloud technologies, specifically developing serverless applications on AWS using services such as Lambda, DynamoDB, API Gateway, SNS/SQS, and EventBridge
• Proven experience as a Tech Lead, with a strong track record of mentoring and coaching junior engineers, promoting skill development, and driving adherence to best practices to ensure team growth and technical excellence
• Expertise in designing and managing distributed systems, ensuring scalability, and advanced data modeling techniques
• Ability to make strategic technical decisions while balancing project deadlines and business goals
• Familiarity with monitoring and observability tools (e.g., CloudWatch, New Relic, Datadog)
• Experience with frontend technologies such as React, Angular, or Web Components is a plus
• Knowledge of data modeling and working with both NoSQL databases
• Understanding or experience with AI/ML
• Understanding of agile methodologies, including Scrum, XP and Kanban
• At Turnitin, we recognize it’s unrealistic for candidates to fulfill 100% of the criteria in a job ad. We encourage you to apply if you meet the majority of the requirements because we know that skills evolve over time. If you’re willing to learn and unleash your potential alongside us, join our team!