Northern Trust

Principal, SW Eng

Northern Trust$137K — $233K *
Enterprise Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of professional software engineering experience with hands-on expertise
  • Deep expertise in Java and modern application frameworks
  • Strong experience with Azure cloud services and cloud-native application development
  • Solid understanding of Test-Driven Development (TDD) and CI/CD practices
  • Proven ability to lead by influence with strong problem-solving skills
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Responsibilities

  • Act as a hands-on technical leader, designing, developing, and reviewing high-quality production-ready software
  • Lead development using Java, following clean code and TDD principles
  • Drive adoption of AI-assisted development tools to enhance developer productivity
  • Influence and review application architecture for scalability and security
  • Partner with architects to define and enforce engineering best practices
  • Design, build, and deploy applications on Microsoft Azure
  • Support and improve DevOps pipelines and infrastructure automation

Benefits

  • Opportunity for mentorship and professional growth within a global team
  • Exposure to cutting-edge AI-assisted engineering tools
  • Involvement in high-impact, scalable projects that enhance developer experience
  • Active participation in defining and influencing engineering standards
  • Collaboration with diverse, global teams across multiple regions
Full Job Description

Role Summary

We areseekinga highly experiencedPrincipal Software Engineerto provide technical leadership andhandsonexecution across complex,cloudnativesoftware initiatives. This role combines deep engineeringexpertisewith mentorship,architectureinfluence, and strong collaboration across global teams. The ideal candidate is passionate aboutengineering excellence,AI-assisteddevelopment, andbuildinghigh-quality, scalable productsusing modern development practices.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership &Hands-OnDevelopment

  • Act as ahands-ontechnical leader, designing, developing, and reviewinghighquality,productionreadysoftware.

  • Lead development usingJavaas the primary language, followingclean code,TDD, andspec-drivendevelopmentprinciples.

  • Drive adoption ofAI-assisteddevelopment capabilities(e.g.,Copilotstyletools, intelligent automation) to improve developer productivity and code quality.

  • Influence and reviewapplication and solution architecturefor scalability, security, performance, and maintainability.

  • Partner with architects and senior engineers to define and enforceengineering standards and best practices.

Cloud & Platform Engineering

  • Design, build, and deploy applications onMicrosoft Azure,leveragingcloudnativeservices.

  • Leadcloud architecture decisions with a strong understanding of:

  • Azurecompute, networking, storage, and security

  • Cloudbaseddatabases (SQL & NoSQL) and performance considerations

  • Support and continuously improveDevOps pipelines, CI/CD practices, and infrastructure automation.

  • Enable resilient, observable, andcostefficientsystems in the cloud.

Quality, DevOps & Automation

  • ChampionTest-DrivenDevelopment (TDD)and automated testing at all levels (unit, integration, system).

  • Enable and evolvetest automation frameworksand practices across teams.

  • Closely collaborate with DevOps and SRE partners to:

  • Improve release reliability and deployment frequency

  • Reduce operational risk and technical debt

  • Strengthen monitoring, alerting, and production readiness

Engineering Excellence & Team Enablement

  • Mentor and groom engineersto elevate technical skills, design thinking, and ownership mindset.

  • Provide guidance through code reviews, design discussions, and technical deep dives.

  • Foster a culture ofhigh engineering standards, accountability, and continuous improvement.

  • Act as a trusted technical advisor to product, QA, and platform teams.

Collaboration & Communication

  • Work closely withcross-functionalstakeholdersincluding Product, Architecture, QA, and Operations.

  • Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical andnon-technicalaudiences.

  • Collaborate effectively withglobally distributed teamsacrossNorth America, EMEA, and India, accommodatingtime-zoneoverlaps whenrequired.

  • Proactivelyidentifyrisks and propose pragmatic solutions.

Required Qualifications

Technical Skills

  • 10+ years of professional software engineering experience, with a stronghands-ontrack record.

  • DeepexpertiseinJavaand modern application frameworks.

  • Strong experience withAzure cloud servicesandcloudnativeapplication development.

  • Solid understanding and practical application of:

  • Test-DrivenDevelopment (TDD)

  • Spec-driven/contractfirstdevelopment

  • CI/CD and DevOps practices

  • Working knowledge ofcloud databases, data modeling, and performance tuning.

Professional Skills

  • Proven ability to lead by influence rather than authority.

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

  • Strongproblem-solving, design, anddecision-makingabilities.

  • Comfortable operating infast-paced, evolving environments.

Preferred/ Added Weightage

  • Microsoft Azure Architect Certification(strongly preferred).

  • Experience integrating or enablingAI-assistedengineering toolswithin development workflows.

  • Exposure tolarge-scalemodernization, cloud migration, or distributed systems.

  • Experience working in regulated orenterprisegradeenvironments.

  • Experienceworking in Capital Markets/Asset Servicingspace will be beneficial

What Success Looks Like in This Role

  • Engineering teams consistently deliverhigh-quality, secure, and scalable products.

  • Robust DevOps and automation practices reduce friction and improvetime-to-market.

  • Engineers grow in capability, confidence, and ownership.

  • Architecture decisions balance innovation, stability, andlong-termmaintainability.

  • Global collaboration is effective, respectful, andoutcome-driven.

Salary Range:

$137,400 - 233,600 USD

About Northern Trust

Northern Trust is a global leader in delivering innovative investment management, asset and fund administration, and fiduciary and banking solutions to corporations, institutions, and affluent individuals. They have evolved with the changing needs of their clients and their world.

Northern Trust Careers

Joining Northern Trust means becoming part of a global financial services institution that is dedicated to providing expert guidance and innovative solutions to its clients. At Northern Trust, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture of leadership, diversity, and innovation, which makes us a premier destination for career growth in the financial industry.

Work You’ll Do

At Northern Trust, you will collaborate with some of the most talented professionals in the financial sector. Our team is committed to excellence and equipped with a diverse range of skills that contribute to our dynamic environment. Here, you will have the opportunity to lead projects that transform our services and drive significant value for our clients across the globe.

Explore Job Opportunities and Internships

Whether you are starting your career or looking to make a significant impact in the financial industry, Northern Trust offers a variety of job opportunities and internships that will help you achieve your professional goals. From entry-level positions to leadership roles, our company is actively hiring individuals who are passionate, curious, and driven to excel.

Innovative Work

Northern Trust is at the forefront of financial innovation. Our employees are encouraged to think creatively and leverage cutting-edge technologies to solve complex problems. By joining our team, you will work on pioneering solutions that redefine the standards of financial services.

Be Part of a Great Team

Our team at Northern Trust is more than just a group of employees – we are a community. We value collaboration, and our culture is built on mutual respect and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Working with us, you will experience a supportive network that is passionate about sharing knowledge and ideas.

Future-Proof Your Career

Northern Trust is dedicated to your professional development. We offer comprehensive benefits, diversity training, and numerous resources to help you grow your career. With our support, you can expand your skills, gain valuable experience, and achieve professional certifications that will enhance your career trajectory.

Stay Connected

Join Our Team

Discover the perfect role for you at Northern Trust by exploring our current job openings that match your skills and interests. We are looking for professionals who are solution-driven and eager to contribute to our legacy of financial excellence.

Keep Up to Date

Stay informed with the latest career tips, industry insights, and professional growth opportunities—all available through our careers blog. At Northern Trust, we ensure that our team members are always ahead in the industry.

Job Alert Emails

Customize your experience by subscribing to job alerts and insider tips tailored to your preferences. At Northern Trust, exciting and rewarding opportunities are always on the horizon, and we are eager to see where your talents can take us. Join Northern Trust today and be part of a company that values innovation, leadership, and a diverse and inclusive workplace. Here, every position is a chance to contribute to something bigger and to turn your job into a meaningful career.
Learn more about Northern Trust
Size
21,100 employees
Market Cap
$18.1 billion
Industry
Net Income
$1.2 billion
Founded
1889
5 Year Trend
+4.9%
Revenue
$6.1 billion
NASDAQ

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