DigiCert

Principal Engineer

DigiCert$160K — $190K *
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of professional software engineering experience, with a focus on large-scale distributed systems.
  • Strong expertise in backend development, including Java and/or Go, REST/gRPC APIs, and cloud platforms.
  • Solid grasp of distributed system design, focusing on scalability and reliability.
  • Familiarity with DNS and networking is beneficial but not required.
  • Proven track record in leading complex technical initiatives to successful outcomes.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly in technical documentation.

Responsibilities

  • Lead design and implementation of complex DNS platform services and initiatives.
  • Own technical design for platform features focusing on scalability and performance.
  • Engage hands-on in implementations for high-risk technical areas.
  • Contribute to architecture reviews and drive technical discussions for quality outcomes.
  • Collaborate with Architects for alignment on standards and long-term goals.
  • Identify and mitigate technical risks early in the development process.
  • Enhance system observability and operational readiness for owned services.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Retirement savings with company matching (401(k) or RRSP).
  • Generous paid time off and holiday allowances.
  • Paid parental leave and supportive family benefits.
  • Flexible spending and health savings options.
  • Wellness initiatives, including gym reimbursement programs.
  • Education assistance and professional development opportunities.
  • Access to continuous learning resources like LinkedIn Learning.
  • Employee referral bonus program and additional discounts.
  • Employee recognition platform for celebrating team achievements.
Full Job Description
Job summary

The Principal Software Engineer is a senior technical leader responsible for designing, delivering, and evolving critical services within the DNS platform. This role leads complex initiatives across teams, ensures high standards of scalability, reliability, and security, and provides strong technical guidance while remaining hands-on in design and implementation.
The Principal Engineer partners closely with Architects, Product, and Engineering Managers to translate strategic direction into sound technical execution and predictable delivery.

What you will do
  • Lead the design and implementation of complex services and cross-team initiatives within the DNS platform.
  • Own technical design for major features and platform enhancements, ensuring scalability, performance, and reliability.
  • Contribute hands-on to implementation, particularly in high-risk or technically challenging areas.
  • Participate in and contribute to architecture reviews, RFCs, and design discussions, driving high-quality technical outcomes.
  • Collaborate with Architects to ensure alignment with platform standards and long-term direction.
  • Identify technical risks early and propose mitigation strategies to reduce delivery and operational risk.
  • Improve system observability, performance, and operational readiness across owned services.
  • Drive improvements in code quality, testing standards, CI/CD practices, and deploymentreliability.
  • Mentor Senior and Mid-level Engineers, providing guidance on system design, debugging, and production excellence.
  • Serve as a technical escalation point during major incidents related to owned systems.
  • Scope of Influence:
    • Leads significant initiatives within a product area or platform domain.
    • Influences technical direction across 1-3 teams.
    • Drives alignment on design decisions within defined service boundaries.
    • Collaborates with Architects on cross-platform decisions but does not solely own enterprise architecture.


What you will have
  • Typically 8+ years of professional software engineering experience, including demonstrated impact operating at Senior Engineer level on large-scale distributed systems.
  • Strong expertise in backend development (e.g., Java and/or Go), REST/gRPC APIs, cloud platforms, relational and/or NoSQL data stores, caching, and CI/CD practices.
  • Solid understanding of distributed system design, scalability, reliability, and performanceoptimization.
  • Familiarity with DNS and networking fundamentals is considered an advantage, but not amandatory requirement.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead technically complex initiatives and deliver predictable outcomes.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including writing technical design documents


Nice to have
  • Demonstrates strong ownership of system quality and delivery outcomes.
  • Balances technical excellence with pragmatic delivery.
  • Proactively surfaces risks and drives solutions.
  • Influences peers through technical credibility and clear reasoning.
  • Acts as a multiplier by improving patterns, standards, and shared practices within their domain.
  • Embodies collaboration, transparency, and accountability.


Benefits
  • Competitive compensation and comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
  • Retirement savings programs with company matching (401(k) or RRSP)
  • Generous paid time off, including holidays, and vacation
  • Paid parental leave and family support benefits
  • Life and disability coverage
  • Flexible spending and health savings options (where applicable)
  • Health and wellness support, including gym reimbursement and wellness programs
  • Employee Assistance Program with 24/7confidential support for employees and families
  • Education assistance and professional development opportunities
  • Access to LinkedIn Learning and continuous learning resources
  • Employee referral bonus program and additional company perks and discounts
  • Internal rewards and recognition platform (Motivosity) to celebrate and acknowledge project wins, milestone achievements, and the outstanding contributions of our colleagues
  • Business travel insurance and global employee support programs

To protect candidate information and maintain a secure hiring process, all applications must be submitted through our careers portal. Resumes or CVs sent directly via email will not be reviewed or considered.

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Compensation Transparency:

The annualized base salary range for this position is outlined below.

Each candidate's compensation offer will be determined based on factors including experience, skills, qualifications, job duties, business needs, and location. For roles that include additional compensation components, total compensation may include base pay, bonus, equity, or other incentives.

This role may also be eligible for benefits, which will be discussed during the hiring process. We are committed to fair and transparent pay practices and comply with all applicable pay transparency requirements. If you would like more information about compensation or benefits, we are happy to provide additional details during the hiring process.

For more information regarding our comprehensive benefits, see the benefits section.

Base Salary

$160,000-$190,000 USD

About DigiCert

DigiCert is a leading provider of scalable security solutions for a connected world. The company provides digital certificates that authenticate websites and encrypt information for more than 115,000 customers in over 180 countries. DigiCert is trusted by many of the world’s leading brands, including 89% of Fortune 500 companies, and is recognized for its enterprise-grade certificate management platform, fast and knowledgeable customer support, and market-leading security solutions. DigiCert has offices in the United States, United Kingdom, India, Australia, and Japan.
Learn more about DigiCert
Size
1,000 employees
Industry

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