Principal Software Engineer

Role Overview: vFairs is seeking a Principal Software Engineer with deep expertise in web technologies to lead technical initiatives, mentor development teams, and architect scalable solutions. As a technical leader, you'll drive innovation, establish best practices, and ensure the delivery of high-quality, performant web applications. RESPONSIBILITIES Technical Leadership Architect and design scalable web applications and microservices Lead technical decisions and establish coding standards across the organization Mentor and guide development teams on best practices and emerging technologies Conduct technical interviews and contribute to hiring decisions Drive innovation by researching and implementing new technologies and frameworks Development & Engineering Develop and maintain high-performance web applications using modern JavaScript frameworks (Vue.js, React, Angular) Design and implement robust backend APIs using Laravel/PHP and other relevant technologies Write and optimize complex MySQL queries and database schemas Build responsive, accessible front-end components using HTML5, CSS3, and modern CSS frameworks Implement comprehensive testing strategies (unit, integration, e2e) System Design & Performance Architect scalable, maintainable, and performant web solutions Optimize applications for maximum speed, scalability, and user experience Design and implement caching strategies and performance monitoring Ensure cross-browser compatibility and mobile responsiveness Implement security best practices and data protection measures Process & Quality Assurance Establish and maintain CI/CD pipelines and deployment strategies Conduct thorough code reviews and provide constructive feedback Implement version control best practices and branching strategies Define and monitor key performance indicators for web applications Troubleshoot complex issues and provide technical support Collaboration & Communication Collaborate with product managers, designers, and stakeholders to define technical requirements Communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders Participate in agile ceremonies and contribute to sprint planning Document technical decisions, architecture, and implementation details Education & Experience BS/MS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field 8+ years of progressive experience in full-stack web development 3+ years in a senior/lead technical role with team leadership experience Proven track record of delivering complex web applications at scale Technical Expertise Expert-level proficiency in modern JavaScript (ES6+) and TypeScript Deep experience with Vue.js, React, or Angular (preferably multiple frameworks) Strong backend development skills with Laravel/PHP and RESTful API design Advanced database skills including MySQL optimization, complex queries, and schema design Experience with modern build tools (Webpack, Vite, etc.) and package managers Architecture & Design Experience designing and implementing micro-services and distributed systems Knowledge of web performance optimization techniques and tools Understanding of security best practices (OWASP, authentication, authorization) Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) Development Practices Expertise in Git workflows, branching strategies, and version control best practices Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks Knowledge of agile methodologies and the software development lifecycle Experience with monitoring, logging, and observability tools

Requirements

Soft Skills Strong leadership and mentoring abilities Excellent communication skills (technical and non-technical) Problem-solving mindset with analytical thinking Ability to work independently and lead cross-functional teams Continuous learning attitude and passion for technology PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Experience with event-driven architectures and real-time web applications Knowledge of WebRTC, WebSockets, and real-time communication protocols Experience with performance monitoring tools (New Relic, Datadog, etc.) Contributions to open-source projects or technical communities Experience with accessibility standards (WCAG) and internationalization Knowledge of SEO best practices and web analytics Experience with progressive web apps (PWA) and mobile web development