WW Grainger

Lead Software Engineer

WW Grainger$134K — $223K *
Information Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in computer science or equivalent experience.
  • 5+ years in designing, building, and operating scalable software systems in production environments.
  • Expertise in Java, Spring Boot, and backend API development.
  • Deep knowledge of distributed systems, microservices, and API-first architectures.
  • Significant experience with Kafka and asynchronous messaging.
  • Experience with PostgreSQL, Snowflake, and Redis.
  • Strong understanding of cloud-native architectures and Kubernetes.

Responsibilities

  • Lead architecture, design, and evolution of backend services and APIs.
  • Drive technical strategy and influence engineering direction across teams.
  • Define standards for API design, security, and reliability.
  • Partner with product and architecture teams to solve complex problems.
  • Establish reusable frameworks and engineering patterns.
  • Lead incident reviews and reliability initiatives.
  • Mentor engineers and promote technical leadership across the organization.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance beginning on day one.
  • 18 paid time off days annually and 6 company holidays.
  • 6% company contribution to a 401(k) plan with no employee contribution required.
  • Tuition reimbursement and financial counseling services.
  • Maternity support and up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents.
Full Job Description
Work Location Type: Hybrid

Req Number 334352

Compensation

The anticipated base pay compensation range for this position is $134,100.00 - $223,500.00. This role is eligible for an incentive target of up to 15 %, based on the achievement of individual and company performance objectives in accordance with the current terms of the incentive program which are subject to change.

"This position is not eligible for any form of sponsorship now or in the future. Individuals requiring sponsorship (e.g. OPT or H1B visa status) should not apply. Only individuals authorized to work in the United States now and for the foreseeable future will be considered for this position."

Rewards and Benefits

With benefits starting on day one, our programs provide choice and flexibility to meet team members' individual needs, including:
  • Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment and 6 free sessions each year with a licensed therapist to support your emotional wellbeing.
  • 18 paid time off (PTO) days annually for full-time employees (accrual prorated based on employment start date) and 6 company holidays per year.
  • 6% company contribution to a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required.
  • Employee discounts, tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing and free access to financial counseling, education, and tools.
  • Maternity support programs, nursing benefits, and up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents and up to 4 weeks paid leave for non-birth parents.


For additional information and details regarding Grainger's benefits, please click on the link below:

https://experience100.ehr.com/grainger/Home/Tools-Resources/Key-Resources/New-Hire

Grainger Benefits

The pay range provided above is not a guarantee of compensation. The range reflects the potential base pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual base pay compensation will depend, in part, on factors such as geographic work location and relevant experience and skills.

The anticipated compensation range described above is subject to change and the compensation ultimately paid may be higher or lower than the range described above.

Grainger reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion at any time, consistent with applicable law.

Position Details

We are seeking a talented Lead Software Engineer (Software Engineer IV) to join our Customer Information Management (CIM) team. The team's mission is to improve the quality, accuracy, and reliability of customer address data by providing trusted address services to other internal teams. By reducing service errors and ensuring consistent address information across the application, the team helps deliver a seamless user experience wherever customers interact with address-related functionality.

You will collaborate closely with engineers, product managers, architects, stakeholders, and business partners to translate business needs into scalable technical solutions. You will lead the architecture, design, implementation, and evolution of backend services that support high volume API's that support critical customer address capabilities across the enterprise. You will work across teams to establish integration standards, engineering best practices, and reusable platform components that improve consistency and accelerate delivery.

You will drive observability, reliability, and operational excellence initiatives by establishing monitoring, alerting, incident response, and performance optimization practices. You will identify and mitigate technical risks, influence technical strategy, evaluate emerging technologies, and contribute to the long-term roadmap of the address services platform.

As a Lead Software Engineer, you will provide technical leadership across multiple initiatives, guide architectural decisions, lead design and code reviews, mentor engineers, and foster a culture of engineering excellence, continuous improvement, and shared ownership.

This position reports to the Manager, CIM Product Engineering, and is based in Chicago.

You Will

  • Lead the architecture, design, and evolution of scalable backend services and APIs.

  • Drive technical strategy and influence engineering direction across multiple teams.

  • Define standards for API design, distributed systems, observability, security, and reliability.

  • Partner with product, architecture, platform, and leadership teams to solve complex business problems.

  • Establish reusable frameworks, shared services, and engineering patterns that improve organizational productivity.

  • Lead incident reviews, reliability initiatives, and technical debt reduction efforts.

  • Mentor engineers and cultivate technical leadership across the organization.

  • Evaluate emerging technologies and guide strategic adoption decisions.


  • Champion engineering excellence through design reviews, architecture governance, and continuous improvement.

  • Contribute hands-on to complex technical solutions while balancing strategic responsibilities.


You Have

  • Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in computer science or similar; or equivalent experience required

  • 5+ years designing, building, and operating scalable software systems in production environments.

  • Expert-level proficiency in Java, Spring Boot, and backend API development.

  • Deep expertise in distributed systems, microservices, API-first architectures, and event-driven systems.

  • Significant experience with Kafka, asynchronous messaging, and distributed data processing.

  • Experience with PostgreSQL, Snowflake, Redis, and data-intensive applications.

  • Strong understanding of cloud-native architectures, Kubernetes, containers, and infrastructure automation.

  • Proven experience leading architecture and design for complex enterprise systems.

  • Experience defining technical roadmaps and influencing architectural decisions across teams.

  • Demonstrated ability to evaluate emerging technologies and drive adoption where appropriate.

  • Experience with observability platforms such as Datadog.

  • Deep understanding of reliability engineering, SLOs, incident management, and production support.

  • Experience improving performance, scalability, availability, and resiliency of critical systems.

  • Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence engineering, product, and business stakeholders.

  • Experience leading cross-functional initiatives across multiple teams.

  • Proven ability to mentor engineers and develop technical leadership across the organization.


  • Experience with analyzing, interpreting and communicating complex problems and practices


About WW Grainger

W.W. Grainger (NYSE: GWW), with 2008 sales of $6.9 billion, is the leading broad-line supplier of facilities maintenance products serving businesses and institutions in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, India and Panama. Through a highly integrated network including nearly 600 branches, 18 distribution centers and multiple Web sites, Grainger's employees help customers get the job done, saving them time and money by having the right products to keep their facilities running.

WW Grainger Careers

Join the dynamic team at WW Grainger, a leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair, and operating products, where job opportunities abound in an environment ripe with innovation and leadership. At WW Grainger, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that values diversity and encourages professional growth through comprehensive diversity training and leadership development.

Work You’ll Do

At WW Grainger, you’ll be part of a robust team that’s dedicated to excellence. Whether you’re looking to start your career through our internship programs or seeking to advance as a seasoned professional, WW Grainger offers a path filled with opportunities for growth and learning. Our team members are equipped with the skills needed to lead industries and drive innovation at every level of the company.

Explore Job Opportunities and Employment

WW Grainger is not just hiring; we are building a future. Explore the numerous job opportunities across various departments where you can put your skills to test and contribute to our mission. From positions in supply chain management to customer service, technology to sales, WW Grainger seeks passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players.

Innovate and Lead

Join a company where innovation is at the core of our business strategy. WW Grainger’s leadership in the industry is enhanced by our commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. Our employees are encouraged to think big and act boldly, driving change that influences the entire market.

Career Development and Benefits

Invest in your future with WW Grainger’s unmatched career development programs. Go as far as your ambition takes you with near-limitless opportunities to advance your career supported by extensive training, development, and certification support. Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that supports the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees and their families.

Internship Programs and Entry-Level Positions

Kickstart your career with WW Grainger through our internship programs or entry-level positions. Gain hands-on experience, build your resume, and make invaluable networking connections that will pave the way for a successful career. Our internships provide a unique insight into the workings of a major company and serve as a gateway to full-time employment.

Join Our Team

Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for individuals who are eager to drive their own career path while contributing to a team that values hard work and creativity.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at WW Grainger.

Interview and Resume Tips

Prepare for your interview at WW Grainger with resources that help you stand out. Learn what we look for in potential hires and how to effectively highlight your experiences and skills on your resume. At WW Grainger, we are more than a company—we are a community. We are dedicated to maintaining an environment where every team member feels valued and has the opportunity to excel. Join us in our mission to help professionals keep their operations running and their people safe.
Learn more about WW Grainger
Size
22,700 employees
Market Cap
$28.3 billion
Industry
Net Income
$695 million
Founded
1927
5 Year Trend
+5.1%
Revenue
$11.7 billion
NASDAQ

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