principal Software engineer

Who We Are

Ontic provides software that helps corporate and government security teams identify threats, assess risk, and respond faster to keep people and organizations safe. Its Connected Intelligence Platform unifies security operations and data into a centralized system of record, enabling organizations to conduct risk assessments, protect against workplace violence, and manage threats and incidents more efficiently. Fortune 500 companies and federal agencies rely on Ontic to support security programs such as executive protection, threat intelligence, and corporate investigations.

Learn more at ontic.co or follow us on LinkedIn.

Role Summary

Ontic is hiring a Principal Engineer, Backend to own and drive the architectural direction of backend systems across the platform and shared infrastructure. This is the most senior individual contributor role, intended for engineers with deep technical expertise, strong systems thinking, and the ability to influence engineering direction at an organizational level.

You will operate across teams and domains to ensure backend systems are scalable, resilient, and aligned with long-term business needs. Your primary focus will be on architectural leadership, multi-year technical strategy, and raising engineering standards across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Architecture & Technical Strategy

• Define and evolve backend architecture across the platform and shared systems
• Drive multi-year architectural strategy aligned with product growth and system scale
  
  

Technical Direction

• Establish engineering standards, design principles, and decision frameworks
• Guide high-impact decisions on system boundaries, data architecture, and platform investments
  
  

Organizational Influence

• Influence engineering and product leadership on platform direction and technical investments
• Drive alignment across teams on architectural approaches
  
  

Risk & System Evolution

• Identify systemic technical risks and drive cross-team improvements
• Lead architectural responses to scaling challenges and increasing system complexity
  
  

Technical Leadership

• Mentor senior engineers and elevate engineering standards across the organization
• Contribute hands-on selectively in areas of highest leverage
  
  

Qualifications & Experience

• 15+ years of software engineering experience with deep backend architecture expertise
• Expert-level experience with Java, Spring Boot, MongoDB, and Elasticsearch
• Proven track record of defining architecture across multiple teams or product domains
• Experience driving platform-level decisions and long-term technical strategy
• Strong expertise in distributed systems, data architecture, and system design at scale
• Demonstrated ability to influence technical direction at an organizational level
• Strong business and product judgment, with the ability to connect architecture
• decisions to company outcomes
• Experience building or scaling enterprise SaaS platforms
• Familiarity with cloud architecture, observability, and cost optimization
• Exposure to security-focused or operationally sensitive systems
  
  

Ontic Benefits & Perks

• Competitive Salary
• Medical Benefits
• Internet Reimbursement
• Home Office Stipend
• Continued Education Stipend
• Festive & Achievement Celebrations
• Dynamic Office Environment
  
  

Ontic is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a work environment that celebrates diversity. We do not discriminate against any individual based on race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran status, disability, or any factors protected by applicable law.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Ontic we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Ontic prioritizes the full inclusion of qualified individuals, providing necessary accommodations for those with disabilities to perform essential job functions. If you need assistance during the application or interview process or job tasks, please contact us at recruitment@ontic.co or call (512) 572-7400

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