The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc

Principal Software Engineer - Java, Spring Boot, Kafka

Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field (or equivalent experience).
  • 10+ years of software engineering experience focused on backend development.
  • 5+ years designing and developing enterprise applications using Java and Spring Boot.
  • Proven experience leading technical teams of 5-10 engineers, both onshore and offshore.
  • Extensive experience with Microservices architectures and event-driven solutions using Kafka.

Responsibilities

  • Lead design, development, and implementation of enterprise-grade software solutions with Java, Spring Boot, and Microservices.
  • Serve as technical lead for a team of engineers across multiple locations.
  • Establish engineering standards and best practices for the team.
  • Drive technical decision-making balancing scalability, performance, and maintainability.
  • Conduct architecture and code reviews to enhance team capabilities.
  • Lead Agile delivery efforts and manage work across distributed teams.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business requirements into technical solutions.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical/prescription coverage with an HSA feature.
  • Dental and vision options available.
  • 401(k) with company match, pension, and stock purchase plans.
  • Education assistance with select programs fully funded.
  • Robust wellness program with financial incentives.
  • Paid time off including maternity/parental leave and up to 11 holidays per year.
Full Job Description
Position Overview

As a Software Engineer Principal within PNC's Lending Technology organization, you will be based in Pittsburgh PA or Dallas TX.

Job Description

The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader who enjoys solving complex engineering challenges, mentoring developers, influencing technology strategy, and collaborating with business and technology stakeholders to deliver impactful solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership
  • Lead the design, development, and implementation of enterprise-grade software solutions using Java, Spring Boot, Kafka, and Microservices architecture.
  • Serve as the technical lead for a team of 5-10 engineers across onshore and offshore locations.
  • Establish engineering standards, code quality practices, and development methodologies across the team.
  • Drive technical decision-making and architectural discussions while balancing scalability, performance, security, and maintainability.
  • Conduct architecture reviews, code reviews, and technical mentoring to elevate team performance.

Software Engineering
  • Design and develop high-performance backend services and APIs using Java and Spring Boot.
  • Build and enhance event-driven solutions leveraging Kafka for real-time processing and system integration.
  • Develop and maintain microservices that support critical business capabilities and customer-facing applications.
  • Create scalable, resilient, and highly available software solutions aligned with enterprise architecture standards.
  • Troubleshoot complex production issues and drive root-cause analysis and resolution.

Team Leadership & Delivery
  • Lead Agile delivery efforts and coordinate work across distributed teams.
  • Provide technical guidance, coaching, and mentorship to engineers at various experience levels.
  • Collaborate with Product Owners, Architects, DevOps, QA, and business stakeholders to ensure successful project execution.
  • Manage technical dependencies, risks, and delivery timelines.

Stakeholder Engagement
  • Partner with business and technology stakeholders to understand requirements and translate them into scalable technical solutions.
  • Communicate technical concepts and recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Influence technology roadmaps and support strategic initiatives across the organization.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field (or equivalent experience).
  • 10+ years of software engineering experience with a strong focus on backend development.
  • 5+ years of experience designing and developing enterprise applications using Java and Spring Boot.
  • Proven experience leading technical teams of 5-10 engineers, including both onshore and offshore resources.
  • Extensive experience building and deploying Microservices-based architectures.
  • Strong experience implementing event-driven solutions using Kafka.
  • Demonstrated ability to engage and influence stakeholders across multiple levels of the organization.


Technical Skills
  • Expert-level Java development experience.
  • Strong proficiency with Spring Boot and related Spring ecosystem technologies.
  • Deep understanding of Microservices architecture, API design, and distributed systems.
  • Hands-on experience with Apache Kafka and event-driven architectures.
  • Strong coding, debugging, performance tuning, and problem-solving skills.
  • Experience with CI/CD pipelines, source control, and modern software development practices.
  • Solid understanding of software design patterns, object-oriented programming, and system integration principles.


Leadership Skills
  • Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop engineering talent.
  • Strong collaboration and communication skills.
  • Proven ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, enterprise environments.
  • Ability to balance hands-on development responsibilities with technical leadership duties.


Nice-to-Have Qualifications
  • Experience using Generative AI tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or similar platforms) for software development, code generation, testing, documentation, and code maintenance.
  • Experience evaluating and implementing AI-assisted development practices to improve engineering productivity and code quality.
  • Cloud platform experience (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
  • Experience within highly regulated industries such as banking or financial services.


PNC Employees take pride in our reputation and to continue building upon that we expect our employees to be:
  • Customer Focused - Knowledgeable of the values and practices that align customer needs and satisfaction as primary considerations in all business decisions and able to leverage that information in creating customized customer solutions.
  • Managing Risk - Assessing and effectively managing all of the risks associated with their business objectives and activities to ensure they adhere to and support PNC's Enterprise Risk Management Framework.


Qualifications

Successful candidates must demonstrate appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities for a role. Listed below are skills, competencies, work experience, education, and required certifications/licensures needed to be successful in this position.

Preferred Skills
Apache Kafka, Application Development, Business Management, Customer Solutions, Design, Group Problem Solving, Java, Process Improvements, Release Management, Software Solutions, Spring Boot, Technical Leadership, User Experience (UX) Design

Competencies
Application Design, Architecture, Packaged Application Integration, Product and Vendor Evaluation, Software Process Improvement (SPI), System Development Life Cycle, Technical Troubleshooting

Work Experience
Roles at this level typically require a university / college degree, with 5+ years of industry-relevant experience. Specific certifications are often required. In lieu of a degree, a comparable combination of education, job specific certification(s), and experience (including military service) may be considered.

Education
Bachelors

Certifications
No Required Certification(s)

Licenses
No Required License(s)

Benefits

PNC offers a comprehensive range of benefits to help meet your needs now and in the future. Depending on your eligibility, options for full-time employees include: medical/prescription drug coverage (with a Health Savings Account feature), dental and vision options; employee and spouse/child life insurance; short and long-term disability protection; 401(k) with PNC match, pension and stock purchase plans; dependent care reimbursement account; back-up child/elder care; adoption, surrogacy, and doula reimbursement; educational assistance, including select programs fully paid; a robust wellness program with financial incentives.

In addition, PNC generally provides the following paid time off, depending on your eligibility: maternity and/or parental leave; up to 11 paid holidays each year; 9 occasional absence days each year, unless otherwise required by law; between 15 to 25 vacation days each year, depending on career level; and years of service.

To learn more about these and other programs, including benefits for full time and part-time employees, visit pncthrive.com.

About The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc

PNC is a financial service company providing bank deposit products and services to its community. The company assets (as of December 31, 2011) of approximately $271.2 billion. PNC operations include a regional banking franchise operating primarily in nineteen states and the District of Columbia with more than 2,700 branches, online and mobile services together with 7,400 ATM machines, specialized financial businesses serving companies and government entities, and asset management and processing businesses.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc Careers

Join the vibrant team at The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc, a leader in financial services and a beacon of innovation and professional excellence. At PNC, we are committed to fostering a workplace where every team member can thrive and contribute to our collective success.

Work You’ll Do

Embark on a career with PNC and be part of a company that values diversity, leadership, and professional growth. Our team is dedicated to helping individuals and communities thrive by living our values and demonstrating our commitment to performance and integrity.

Explore Job Opportunities and Internships

Whether you're starting your career or looking to make a change, PNC offers a range of job opportunities and internships that will harness your skills and ignite your passion for financial services. From entry-level positions to leadership roles, PNC is hiring across various departments, ensuring a place for every talent and ambition.

Innovate and Lead

At PNC, innovation and leadership go hand in hand. Join us at the forefront of financial services, where your ideas can lead to better customer solutions and enhanced operational efficiency. Our culture encourages curiosity and initiative, allowing you to take your career to new heights through continuous learning and leadership opportunities.

Develop Your Career

PNC is not just a company; it's a place where you can shape your future. With robust training programs, including diversity training and professional development courses, we prepare our employees for sustained success. Career growth at PNC is supported by our commitment to mentorship and development, helping you build a rewarding career filled with exciting challenges and opportunities.

Benefits and Culture

Choosing to work at PNC means you value a culture that promotes mutual respect and teamwork. We offer competitive benefits that support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees and their families. At PNC, we understand that our success as a company depends on the health, happiness, and productivity of our team members.

Networking and Professional Development

Advance your career through PNC’s vast networking opportunities. Connect with leaders and peers within the company through various events, training sessions, and community programs. Our commitment to professional growth is evident in our proactive approach to networking and development, helping you build meaningful connections and enhance your career trajectory.

Join Our Team

Ready to make a significant impact? Explore the current openings at The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc and find the position that matches your skills and interests. We are looking for passionate, driven, and creative team players who are ready to take the next step in their careers.

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Keep up to date with the latest from PNC Careers by subscribing to our job alert emails. Tailor your subscription to receive updates that align with your career interests and get insider tips that can help you during the interview and resume submission processes.

Explore, Innovate, Grow with PNC

At The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc, your career is what you make it. Join us and discover how your unique talents can be honed and appreciated in an environment that fosters professional and personal growth. Let’s build the future of financial services together.

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Learn more about The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc
Size
57,668 employees
Market Cap
$62.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$7.5 billion
Founded
1845
5 Year Trend
+2.9%
NASDAQ

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