{"id":68530,"url":"https://alion.io/job/passage-principal-software-engineer","title":"Principal Software Engineer","company":{"id":26791,"name":"Passage","domain":"passage.ai","url":"https://alion.io/company/passage","size_band":"11-50","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Ashby","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":95,"open_postings":4,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":221,"computed_at":"2026-10-28T05:59:10Z"}},"role":"Backend","role_family":"Backend","seniority":"lead","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Toronto, Canada"],"countries":["CA"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":90000,"max_usd":154000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":89},"experience_years_min":5,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Go","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"TypeScript","optional":false},{"name":"Django","optional":true},{"name":"GCP","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-03-10T17:24:28Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-03-10","last_verified_at":"2026-10-28T21:06:46Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":232,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":0,"flags":[],"days_open":231},"description":"Who we are\nWho we are: We build technology that removes barriers blocking talent from opportunity, combining the latest advancements in AI with human judgment.\nHow we expand access: Access isn't real if it's unaffordable. Through our sister company, Passage Funding, we provide financing for international students.\nWhat we believe: Access to opportunity should not be determined by geography, gender, or wealth. We reinvest a portion of our profits to support those cut off from education - including our Afghan program.\nAccess is the product: We build AI that turns paperwork into decisions, and decisions into real outcomes.\nOur mission is bold but simple: by 2030, we aim to dismantle the barriers preventing brilliant minds from accessing the opportunities they deserve.\nThe role\nWe are looking for a Principal Software Engineer to help architect and scale the core systems that power Passage.\nThis is a senior technical leadership role focused on building reliable, scalable systems while shaping the long-term technical direction of the company. You will work closely with engineering, product, and leadership teams to design systems that support Passage’s AI-driven platform and global operations.\nYou will take ownership of complex technical problems, define architectural standards, and help ensure our systems remain reliable, secure, and scalable as the company grows.\nThis role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving deep technical problems while also influencing engineering culture and technical strategy across the organization.\nWhat you will do\nArchitect core systems\nDesign and evolve the architecture of Passage’s core platform\n\nBuild scalable backend services that support admissions automation, financial systems, and operational workflows\n\nEnsure systems are reliable, secure, and capable of supporting global scale\n\nLead complex technical initiatives\nOwn the design and implementation of large engineering initiatives\n\nBreak down complex problems into clear technical solutions\n\nGuide teams through major architectural decisions\n\nEstablish engineering standards\nDefine best practices for system design, testing, performance, and reliability\n\nImprove engineering workflows and development processes\n\nEnsure high-quality, maintainable code across the platform\n\nPartner across the company\nWork closely with product, data, and operations teams to understand business needs\n\nTranslate product requirements into scalable technical solutions\n\nHelp leadership understand technical trade-offs and long-term architecture decisions\n\nMentor and elevate the engineering team\nMentor engineers across the organization\n\nReview system designs and provide technical guidance\n\nHelp cultivate a high-ownership, high-quality engineering culture\n\nQualifications\nBachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or a related technical field\n\n5+ years of professional software engineering experience\n\nDeep experience designing and building scalable backend systems\n\nStrong programming skills in modern backend languages (such as Python, TypeScript, Go, or similar)\n\nExperience working with distributed systems and cloud infrastructure\n\nStrong system design and architectural thinking\n\nExperience leading complex technical initiatives across multiple teams\n\nAbility to operate independently and make high-impact technical decisions in a fast-moving environment\n\nNice to have\nProficient in Python, Django, TypeScript, and React.\n\nExperience with cloud platforms such as GCP is a plus.\n\nDeep knowledge of software design patterns and architecture.\n\nStrong understanding of database design and development.\n\nBachelor degree or higher in computer science or related field\n\nLocation\nPassage operates with an in-office working model.\nCandidates must be based in Toronto or open to relocating and working five days per week in our Toronto office.\nReady to join us?\nWe are building a company designed to expand access to life-changing opportunities around the world.\nIf you are excited about solving hard technical problems, building systems with global impact, and shaping the engineering direction of a mission-driven company, we would love to meet you.\nNote: Artificial intelligence may be used in the screening or assessment of applicants.\nIf your experience does not match every requirement but you believe you can thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply.\nCompensation\nAbove C$200K + Offers Equity","description_format":"text","description_chars":4403,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":5,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Consumer Loans & 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