principal software engineering Software Engineer tech_leadership · Posted Mar 24, 2026

About the Job :

The Principal Software Engineer is responsible for leading the resolution of varied and non-routine complex software development activities. This role exercises expert judgment and provides creative solutions to achieve initiative goals and functional objectives. The role may coordinate the activities of other team members and provide mentorship and guidance to support their growth. This role may come into contact with confidential or sensitive customer information requiring special treatment in accordance with Red Hat policies and applicable privacy laws.

What will you do?

  • Lead the design and development of complex software solutions and integrations.

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define and refine software requirements and system designs.

  • Collaborate with technical stakeholders on other teams to resolve issues.  

  • Define and implement best practices for software development, testing, and deployment.

  • Mentor and guide team members to enhance their technical skills and overall performance.

  • Support continuous improvement initiatives to optimize software processes and tools.

  • Adhere and follow defined Software Development Lifecycle (SLDC) processes.

  • Establish and maintain a visible leadership presence in the technical community.

  • Coordinate activities of other team members, and potentially across teams, to ensure project goals are met. 

  • Proactively leverage AI technologies to streamline workflows, simplify processes, and enhance overall efficiency.

  • Proactively utilize and experiment with AI-assisted tools and technologies, such as code generation, auto-completion, and intelligent suggestions, to accelerate development cycles, enhance code quality, and support test design, automation, and peer review throughout the development lifecycle."

What will you bring?

  • Technical Leadership: Leads technical initiatives and influences team direction.

  • Programming (examples: Python, Golang, Java, C, C++): Designs and maintains complex software using programming languages.

  • Creative Problem Solving: Develops innovative solutions for complex technical challenges.

  • Coordination: Plans, organizes, and oversees technical deliverables, tasks and milestones.

  • Mentoring: Provides direction, mentorship, and training to engineers.

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partners with product management, operations, and QE to deliver solutions.

  • Agile Knowledge: An awareness or understanding of Agile principles and frameworks and their application in software development.

#LI-AK1

About Red Hat

Red Hat is the world’s leading provider of enterprise open source software solutions, using a community-powered approach to deliver high-performing Linux, cloud, container, and Kubernetes technologies. Spread across 40+ countries, our associates work flexibly across work environments, from in-office, to office-flex, to fully remote, depending on the requirements of their role. Red Hatters are encouraged to bring their best ideas, no matter their title or tenure. We're a leader in open source because of our open and inclusive environment. We hire creative, passionate people ready to contribute their ideas, help solve complex problems, and make an impact.

Inclusion at Red Hat
Red Hat’s culture is built on the open source principles of transparency, collaboration, and inclusion, where the best ideas can come from anywhere and anyone. When this is realized, it empowers people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to come together to share ideas, challenge the status quo, and drive innovation. Our aspiration is that everyone experiences this culture with equal opportunity and access, and that all voices are not only heard but also celebrated. We hope you will join our celebration, and we welcome and encourage applicants from all the beautiful dimensions that compose our global village.

Equal Opportunity Policy (EEO)
Red Hat is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. We review applications for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, veteran status, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, or any other basis prohibited by law.


Red Hat does not seek or accept unsolicited resumes or CVs from recruitment agencies. We are not responsible for, and will not pay, any fees, commissions, or any other payment related to unsolicited resumes or CVs except as required in a written contract between Red Hat and the recruitment agency or party requesting payment of a fee.


Red Hat supports individuals with disabilities and provides reasonable accommodations to job applicants. If you need assistance completing our online job application, email application-assistance@redhat.com. General inquiries, such as those regarding the status of a job application, will not receive a reply.

All Red Hat Jobs Browse software engineering roles principal positions