Principal Software Engineer

Our Purpose
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.
Title and Summary
Principal Software Engineer
Overview:
Mastercard is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to lead complex, cross-department initiatives and drive the design, development, and delivery of high-quality, scalable software solutions. In this role, you will operate across teams and domains, setting technical direction, influencing architectural decisions, and solving complex problems with broad organizational impact. You will balance deep hands-on engineering with strategic leadership, mentorship, and close collaboration with business and technical partners to deliver innovative, secure, and cost-effective solutions aligned with Mastercard's long-term objectives.
This is a hybrid position based in New York City, NY, requiring three days per week onsite.
Role:• Lead the definition, design, and delivery of large-scale, cross-functional initiatives with long-term business impact.• Partner with business and technical stakeholders to identify opportunities, define scope, assess risks, and quantify value, costs, and ROI.• Drive architectural and technology decisions aligned with Mastercard's strategy, security standards, and scalability needs.• Develop and present business cases, technical proposals, and recommendations to senior leadership to support strategic decision-making.• Lead scenario planning, estimation, and validation of costs, benefits, and delivery timelines.• Perform and guide Proofs of Concept (PoCs) to evaluate emerging technologies and innovative solutions.• Define and maintain technology roadmaps aligned with departmental strategy and long-term business vision.• Provide hands-on technical leadership, including design reviews, code reviews, and resolution of complex technical challenges.• Establish, implement, and continuously improve engineering processes, standards, tools, and best practices.• Define and lead quality assurance and quality control practices to ensure reliable, secure, and high-quality software delivery.• Mentor and coach engineers, promote knowledge sharing, and foster a culture of innovation, learning, and technical excellence.• Ensure compliance with audit, regulatory, and security requirements, representing the team during compliance reviews as needed.
All About You: • Demonstrated progression from Software Engineer to senior technical leadership roles, with a strong foundation in hands-on software development.• Hands-on experience designing, building, and evolving large-scale, distributed, cloud-native systems using modern programming languages (e.g., Java, .NET/C#, Python).• Strong expertise in microservices, APIs, and event-driven architectures, with a focus on scalability, resiliency, and security.• Proven experience designing and operating solutions on major cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), including production-grade system design.• Deep understanding of CI/CD pipelines, DevOps practices, and operational excellence for highly available production systems.• Solid foundation in data and storage technologies, including relational and non-relational databases, with an emphasis on performance, reliability, and scalability.• Experience with PCF, Oracle, Redis, Splunk, Netscout, Dynatrace, and related enterprise tools.• Extensive experience delivering enterprise-grade, secure software solutions, preferably within regulated or financial services environments.• Proven ability to lead and influence technical direction across teams without direct authority.• Strong experience evaluating, selecting, and implementing technologies, frameworks, and engineering methodologies.• Demonstrated success driving productivity, efficiency, and quality through process improvement and innovation.• Experience working with vendors, including RFI/RFP processes and SOW management, is a plus.• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences.• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or equivalent practical experience.
This role is not eligible for Mastercard's work authorization sponsorship. As such, candidates must be eligible to work in the United States, now as well as in the future, without employer sponsorship.
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Mastercard is a merit-based, inclusive, equal opportunity employer that considers applicants without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disabled or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We hire the most qualified candidate for the role. In the US or Canada, if you require accommodations or assistance to complete the online application process or during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] and identify the type of accommodation or assistance you are requesting. Do not include any medical or health information in this email. The Reasonable Accommodations team will respond to your email promptly.
Corporate Security Responsibility
All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard's security policies and practices;
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard's guidelines.

In line with Mastercard's total compensation philosophy and assuming that the job will be performed in the US, the successful candidate will be offered a competitive base salary and may be eligible for an annual bonus or commissions depending on the role. The base salary offered may vary depending on multiple factors, including but not limited to location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Mastercard benefits for full time (and certain part time) employees generally include: insurance (including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, disability, life insurance); flexible spending account and health savings account; paid leaves (including 16 weeks of new parent leave and up to 20 days of bereavement leave); 80 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time, 25 days of vacation time and 5 personal days, pro-rated based on date of hire; 10 annual paid U.S. observed holidays; 401k with a best-in-class company match; deferred compensation for eligible roles; fitness reimbursement or on-site fitness facilities; eligibility for tuition reimbursement; and many more. Mastercard benefits for interns generally include: 56 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time; jury duty leave; and on-site fitness facilities in some locations.
Pay Ranges
New York City, New York: $204,000 - $337,000 USD