Principal Backend Software Engineer

About the role

## About the Company

Atlassian is a global software company focused on helping teams collaborate, plan, build, and deliver their best work. Its products support organizations across a wide range of industries and team environments.

Atlassian promotes a flexible remote-first work culture and supports employees with benefits, professional development opportunities, and resources designed to support their personal and professional well-being.

## About the Role

Atlassian is seeking a Principal Backend Software Engineer to provide technical leadership and solve complex engineering challenges across teams and products. In this role, you will contribute throughout the software development lifecycle, from technical design and architecture through implementation and launch.

You will work on high-impact engineering initiatives, establish technical standards, mentor engineers, and collaborate across engineering teams to improve developer productivity and software quality.

This position is fully remote but requires candidates to be located within the U.S. Pacific or Mountain time zones.

## Key Responsibilities

• Lead complex technical initiatives from design through production launch.
• Identify and remove engineering challenges across the software development lifecycle.
• Design scalable solutions for large and technically complex projects.
• Evaluate architectural trade-offs involving performance, reliability, correctness, and maintainability.
• Establish and promote effective software architecture standards.
• Lead code reviews and improve engineering review practices.
• Resolve complex and high-risk technical issues and production bugs.
• Develop solutions that can be leveraged across multiple teams and products.
• Collaborate with engineering teams on company-wide technical initiatives.
• Create and maintain clear technical documentation.
• Mentor junior and experienced engineers through technical guidance and knowledge sharing.
• Influence technical decisions while considering customer and business impact.
• Apply expertise across multiple programming languages and technologies.

## Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands-on software engineering or technology leadership experience.
• Strong experience across the full software development lifecycle.
• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Computer Science or a related technical field.
• Expert-level proficiency in at least one major programming language such as Java, Python, Kotlin, Go, or Scala.
• Hands-on experience with public cloud platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure.
• Understanding of SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS environments.
• Strong knowledge of software architecture and engineering best practices.
• Ability to evaluate trade-offs involving performance, reliability, scalability, correctness, and resource efficiency.
• Proven experience mentoring engineers and influencing technical decision-makers.
• Strong communication, documentation, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a remote engineering environment.

## Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in developer experience or developer productivity engineering.
• Proficiency in Java or Node.js.
• Experience with multiple programming languages.
• Knowledge of continuous integration and continuous deployment practices.
• Experience leading cross-team or organization-wide engineering initiatives.

## Compensation & Benefits

The base salary range varies by U.S. geographic pay zone:

• **Zone A:** $209,700 – $273,775
• **Zone B:** $188,730 – $246,398
• **Zone C:** $174,051 – $227,233

The final compensation package may also include benefits, bonuses, commissions, and equity, depending on eligibility.

Atlassian provides a range of benefits and employee programs, including health and well-being resources, paid volunteer opportunities, and additional programs designed to support employees and their families.

## Equal Opportunity

Atlassian is committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace. Employment decisions are made without discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

Atlassian also provides reasonable accommodations and adjustments throughout the recruitment process for candidates who require them.