Sr 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
Sr Principal Software Engineer
Overview:
This is a senior technical leadership role focused on driving innovation, architecture, and engineering excellence across Mastercard. The position involves collaborating with business and IT stakeholders, influencing technology strategy, and mentoring engineering teams.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and contribute to enterprise-wide initiatives, frameworks, patterns, and proof-of-concepts.
Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and advisory support to engineering teams.
Architect solutions for complex, distributed systems and mission-critical applications.
Drive modernization, scalability, and performance improvements across the technology stack.
Engage in public speaking, publish technical papers/blogs, and represent Mastercard in external communities.
Conduct technical due diligence for acquisitions and guide strategic technology decisions.
Facilitate architecture reviews, guild initiatives, and talent development processes.
Promote best practices in software engineering, DevOps, automation, and SDLC optimization.
Core Competencies
Technical Expertise: Distributed computing, full-stack development, API design, advanced design patterns, secure coding, performance engineering.
Leadership: Mentoring engineers, influencing cross-functional teams, guiding principals, and shaping organizational technology strategy.
Communication & Thought Leadership: Strong ability to articulate complex architectures, engage with external communities, and publish technical content.
Business Acumen: Balance technical trade-offs with business priorities and cost-benefit considerations.
Required Skills & Experience
Proven experience leading large-scale global projects and architecting complex systems.
Hands-on coding ability across multiple languages and platforms (Windows, Linux, Mainframe).
Expertise in cloud architecture, DevOps, automation, and performance optimization.
Deep understanding of SDLC methodologies, security standards (OWASP, CWE), and interoperability.
Ability to evangelize engineering principles and reference architectures.
Strong judgment in trade-offs and prioritization for regulatory, security, and business needs.
In short: This role combines technical depth, strategic influence, and thought leadership to shape Mastercard's technology landscape while mentoring engineering talent and driving innovation across the enterprise.
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
O'Fallon, Missouri: $212,000 - $339,000 USD