Principal Software Engineer, Front-End

Role Overview

Principal Software Engineer, Front-End at 401GO. This is a Principal-level role that starts as a high-impact individual contributor, then expands into technical leadership and light management of a small outsourced front-end team.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a Principal-level IC on product and front-end engineering work.
• Lead front-end architecture decisions to improve UI quality, consistency, and maintainability.
• Work across the stack when needed, especially with Python-based backend systems.
• Collaborate with product, design, operations, and engineering leadership.
• Review code, provide technical direction, and raise the bar for engineering quality.
• After ramp-up, help manage and guide 2–3 outsourced front-end engineers to align with product and technical standards.
• Translate product/business needs into practical, maintainable solutions.
• Identify and prioritize technical debt.
• Mentor engineers and provide actionable code review feedback.
• Establish patterns, standards, and practices to move quickly without sacrificing quality.

Requirements

• 10+ years of professional software engineering experience.
• Strong front-end engineering experience.
• Prior experience operating at Staff/Principal (or equivalent) senior technical level.
• Experience leading a small engineering team (formally or informally).
• Professional Python experience.
• Strong judgment in architecture, maintainability, testing, and code quality.
• Ability to balance hands-on engineering with technical leadership.
• Clear communication and strong cross-functional collaboration.
• US eligibility to work.

Bonus Points

• Django experience.
• HTMX experience.
• Experience working with or managing outsourced engineers.
• Experience in SaaS and regulated industries (fintech, payroll, benefits, retirement).
• Experience improving front-end systems in mature production applications.
• Experience in small or scaling engineering teams.

Location & Work Model

• Sandy, UT preferred; remote within the United States considered.
• Preference for candidates located in the Salt Lake Valley who can work in-office at the Sandy, Utah office.

Compensation

• Base salary: $180,000–$225,000 depending on experience, location, and fit.