Principal Software Engineer - job 2 of 2

At Fidelity Investments, a Principal Software Engineer is tasked with producing high-quality, testable code for various platforms within our Fixed Income Shared Services Team. You'll work on trading, portfolio, and research platforms and ensure efficient deployment on AWS. Leadership is encouraged at all levels, and you will be expected to take ownership of your projects while maintaining close communication with our offshore development team to align on parallel activities.

To qualify for the Principal Software Engineer role at Fidelity Investments, candidates should possess over 10 years of experience in full-stack software engineering, experience with agile development practices, and proficiency in multiple programming languages, including Java, SpringBoot, JavaScript, SQL, and PL/SQL. A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Engineering or Computer Science is required, along with a solid understanding of CI/CD practices and test automation frameworks.

Fidelity Investments follows a hybrid working model which combines both onsite and remote work to create a flexible, yet engaging work environment. Most hybrid roles require working onsite every other week, fostering a culture of collaboration while also benefiting from the advantages of working offsite. This balance encourages teamwork and allows you to focus on high-quality outputs.

As a Principal Software Engineer at Fidelity Investments, familiarity with a variety of technologies is crucial. Candidates should have deep knowledge of middleware Java stack, messaging technologies, containerization, and automated testing frameworks. Experience with tools like Git, CloudBees, Jenkins, and AWS deployments is highly valued, as you will be working on enterprise cloud-enabled distributed systems.

The Principal Software Engineer role at Fidelity Investments directly contributes to enhancing investment performance by developing high-quality software solutions that empower our investment professionals. Through collaboration with various teams and by leveraging cutting-edge technologies, this position enables the development of efficient trading and portfolio management systems that help meet customers' financial objectives.

An effective response to this question should outline your familiarity with agile methodologies, providing specific examples of how you've applied agile practices in past projects to enhance teamwork and adaptability. Mention any frameworks you've used and how they contributed to improved project outcomes at Fidelity Investments or similar environments.

Here, outline your specialized programming languages, such as Java, SpringBoot, or JavaScript, and discuss concrete examples from your career where you've effectively utilized these languages in software projects. Emphasize your ability to write clean, maintainable code that meets user needs and supports Fidelity's mission.

When answering this question, detail your process for implementing test-driven development (TDD). Discuss how you've created test cases before writing code and how this approach has helped catch bugs early, ensuring high-quality deliverables that align with Fidelity Investments' standards.

In your answer, highlight past experiences working with offshore development teams. Discuss how you've maintained communication, shared knowledge, and ensured project alignment, aiding Fidelity Investments’ efforts in managing diverse teams across geographies effectively.

Express your understanding of Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) and their roles in enhancing development efficiency and product quality. Provide examples of CI/CD tools you've used, such as Jenkins or AWS, and explain how they've streamlined your workflow and that of teams you've worked with.

Describe your organizational tactics for managing multiple projects, focusing on prioritization methods you utilize, such as the Eisenhower Box or agile sprint planning. Share past projects where you successfully balanced competing deadlines and resources, showcasing your ability to contribute effectively to Fidelity's objectives.

Discuss your knowledge of event-based systems, focusing on how they help in creating decoupled, scalable applications. Cite specific scenarios from previous roles where you've implemented event-based programming, particularly within a financial context, which would resonate with Fidelity Investments' commitment to innovation.

In response, emphasize your knowledge of containerization tools like Docker or Kubernetes. Discuss how you’ve utilized these technologies in previous projects to streamline development, improve deployment efficiency, and ensure consistent environments, especially in the context of Fidelity's diverse technological ecosystem.

Provide a detailed account of a particularly challenging technical issue you've encountered, illustrating the steps you took to diagnose and resolve it. This response should demonstrate your problem-solving skills and your ability to think critically, traits that align well with Fidelity Investments' ethos.

Share your strategies for keeping up to date with emerging technologies, such as attending industry conferences, engaging in online courses, or participating in tech communities. This response should convey your commitment to continuous learning and innovation, aligning with the progressive values held by Fidelity Investments.