Principal Engineer

About this role
Wells Fargo is seeking a Principal Engineer responsible for driving complex enterprise-scale engineering initiatives, advising senior leadership, and shaping long-term technical strategy across multiple domains.
In this role, you will:

• Act as an advisor to leadership to develop or influence applications, network, information security, database, operating systems, or web technologies for highly complex needs across multiple groups
• Lead the strategy and resolution of highly complex, large-scale, long-term technical challenges requiring innovation, creativity, and advanced analytical thinking
• Translate deep technological experience and understanding of the organization's strategic objectives, architecture, and opportunities into robust technical engineering solutions
• Provide vision, direction, and subject-matter expertise to leadership when implementing innovative business solutions
• Maintain awareness of industry best practices and emerging technologies, recommending innovations to enhance operations or strengthen competitive advantage
• Strategically engage with all levels across the enterprise and serve as an expert advisor to leadership

Required Qualifications:

• 7+ years of Engineering experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education
• 7+ years of application development background
• 5+ years of Spring with Java, with deep architectural and engineering expertise
• 5+ years of microservices development, including experience with MongoDB and Kafka
• 3+ years of hands-on container technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes
• 3+ years with SDLC and Agile methodologies

Desired Qualifications:

• Good Understanding on Modern Micro Services Architectural Patterns
• Experience designing LLM prompt engineering, prompt chaining, and evaluation frameworks
• Previous work on mainframe modernization is a plus
• Ability to lead and deliver moderately complex technical initiatives
• Experience designing and developing GenAI-powered applications using LLMs (OpenAI, Google Gemini, Anthropic Claude, etc.)
• Familiarity with AI governance, model risk management, compliance constraints, and responsible AI practices
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to evaluate and resolve technical challenges
• Strong collaboration and communication skills to work effectively with peers, colleagues, and mid-level managers
• Excellent communication skills at every level of the organization
• Ability to lead and influence others and critique their work in a way that improves the overall team and the final product
• Strong relationship skills that brings others in, educates stakeholders, and drives consensus
• Very deep skills in at least two technical domains
• Ability to troubleshoot analyze performance bottlenecks
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices

Job Expectations:

• Ability to travel 10% of the time
• This position offers a hybrid work schedule
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position

Pay Range
Reflected is the base pay range offered for this position. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to demonstrated examples of prior performance, skills, experience, or work location. Employees may also be eligible for incentive opportunities.
$159,000.00 - $254,000.00
Benefits
Wells Fargo provides eligible employees with a comprehensive set of benefits, many of which are listed below. Visit Benefits - Wells Fargo Jobs for an overview of the following benefit plans and programs offered to employees.

• Health benefits
• 401(k) Plan
• Paid time off
• Disability benefits
• Life insurance, critical illness insurance, and accident insurance
• Parental leave
• Critical caregiving leave
• Discounts and savings
• Commuter benefits
• Tuition reimbursement
• Scholarships for dependent children
• Adoption reimbursement

Posting End Date:
19 Mar 2026
* Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
We Value Equal Opportunity
Wells Fargo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Employees support our focus on building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance-driven culture which firmly establishes those disciplines as critical to the success of our customers and company. They are accountable for execution of all applicable risk programs (Credit, Market, Financial Crimes, Operational, Regulatory Compliance), which includes effectively following and adhering to applicable Wells Fargo policies and procedures, appropriately fulfilling risk and compliance obligations, timely and effective escalation and remediation of issues, and making sound risk decisions. There is emphasis on proactive monitoring, governance, risk identification and escalation, as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business unit's risk appetite and all risk and compliance program requirements.
Applicants with Disabilities
To request a medical accommodation during the application or interview process, visit Disability Inclusion at Wells Fargo .
Drug and Alcohol Policy
Wells Fargo maintains a drug free workplace. Please see our Drug and Alcohol Policy to learn more.
Wells Fargo Recruitment and Hiring Requirements:
a. Third-Party recordings are prohibited unless authorized by Wells Fargo.
b. Wells Fargo requires you to directly represent your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process.