Principal Software Engineer

Together we make breakthroughs possible.

At OCLC, we build technology with a purpose: to connect libraries and make knowledge accessible worldwide, because we believe that what is known must be shared. Our teams work with complex global datasets, AI and machine learning, hybrid cloud solutions, and other technologies that connect people and organizations to the information they need. We value the power of unique perspectives and experiences to unlock innovation. At OCLC, your ideas matter, whether you have two years of experience or 20. You’ll learn, create, and problem-solve with technologists, product developers, librarians, researchers, marketing pros, and support teams around the world.

Why join OCLC?

OCLC is consistently recognized as a best place to work by several independent programs. We recognize and reward people and results with a comprehensive Total Rewards package. This means competitive compensation that reflects your unique contributions—performance, experience, and skills—along with exceptional benefits, including best-in-class health coverage, retirement plans with generous company contributions, and a commitment to your overall well-being.

We know the best ideas don’t always happen at a desk. Take a walking meeting around our 100-acre campus or enjoy lunch on the patio. We’re committed to your success—both personally and professionally. Hybrid work environment: For many roles, three days a week on-site, with occasional additional days based on business needs.

Free use of our on-site fitness center, gym sports, group exercise classes, and game room

Onsite catering and cafeteria subsidized by OCLC

Health and wellness events

Work environments with individual and team spaces and the latest technology tools

Paid parental leave and adoption assistance

Tuition reimbursement and Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility

Company-subsidized pricing on local tickets and memberships

Join us in transforming how people everywhere access information and be part of a mission-driven team that makes a global impact.

The job details are as follows: As a Principal Software Engineer, you will be a technical leader responsible for setting the technical direction of the organization. You will mentor senior engineers, drive innovation, and solve complex technical challenges. You will also collaborate with leadership to define the long-term technical strategy and ensure the delivery of high-quality software solutions.

Responsibilities:

Serve as a technical leader for Resource Sharing engineering initiatives, supporting the delivery of reliable, scalable, and customer-focused software solutions.

Work closely with the Senior Architect to translate architectural direction into practical implementation plans and scalable designs.

Evaluate technical trade-offs, risks, dependencies, and operational considerations for complex initiatives.

Lead and contribute to development efforts involving distributed systems, microservices, APIs, integrations, and data platforms that support resource-sharing workflows.

Mentor and coach engineers, supporting their technical growth and development.

Promote engineering quality, delivery standards, maintainability, security, and operational excellence across teams.

Foster collaborative technical discussions and effective decision-making among engineering, product, and operational stakeholders.

Partner with product management, engineering leadership, and domain experts to refine technical plans, inform product roadmaps, and align delivery priorities with customer and organizational needs.

Research, assess, and recommend emerging technologies, tools, and development practices that improve engineering effectiveness, software quality, and product capabilities.

Identify appropriate opportunities to incorporate AI-enabled tools, frameworks, and practices into the software development lifecycle.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant work experience.

12+ years of professional software development experience, including significant experience delivering complex enterprise software systems.

Expert-level Java programming skills and extensive experience with object-oriented design, design patterns, Spring-based applications, Hibernate, RESTful APIs, and web services.

Experience developing front-end applications using React and TypeScript.

Strong experience with PostgreSQL, including data modelling, query optimization, performance tuning, and integration of data-driven applications.

Experience designing, building, and operating distributed systems and microservices in Linux/Unix environments.

Proficiency with Git-based source-control practices and collaborative development platforms such as Bitbucket and GitHub.

Experience with CI/CD pipelines, automated testing frameworks such as JUnit and Mockito, build tools such as Gradle and Maven, and secure software development practices.

Demonstrated ability to assess complex technical problems, communicate trade-offs clearly, and collaborate with a Senior Architect and cross-functional stakeholders to deliver practical, scalable solutions.

Experience mentoring engineers, leading technical initiatives, and influencing engineering practices across teams.

Experience integrating or evaluating AI tools, frameworks, and concepts within the software development lifecycle.

Working Conditions: Normal office environment.

ADA/EAA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to be the principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.