Principal Software Engineer (Authorize.net) - job 8 of 10

As a Principal Software Engineer at Authorize.net, you'll take on a variety of exciting tasks, including modernizing our systems through practices such as containerization and microservices architecture. You will also focus on migrating workloads to the cloud and implementing robust DevOps processes. In essence, you'll lead major projects to standardize API development and enhance our overall technology framework while mentoring other engineers in innovative practices and guiding cross-functional teams.

To qualify for the Principal Software Engineer role at Authorize.net, candidates typically should have 12 or more years of work experience, with a strong preference for expertise in C#. An advanced degree can substitute for some experience, but a solid foundation in cloud technologies, continuous delivery, API design, and mentoring capabilities is essential. A background in payment technology or merchant data is a plus, showcasing your readiness for challenges in the fintech space.

In your role as a Principal Software Engineer at Authorize.net, you will engage in various projects focused on system modernization, such as transforming monolithic applications into microservices and migrating to cloud infrastructure. You'll also oversee the development of new features and optimize CI/CD pipelines, ensuring a streamlined process that benefits both internal teams and our merchants. The work you do will be crucial in enhancing our digital payment solutions.

Yes, the Principal Software Engineer position at Authorize.net allows for a hybrid work environment. While you can work remotely part of the time, you will be expected to spend 2-3 days per week in the office, based on business needs. This flexibility ensures you can strike a balance between collaboration and focused work time, empowering you to thrive in your role.

The estimated salary range for a new hire into the Principal Software Engineer position at Authorize.net starts from $184,100 to $267,050 per year, depending on your skills, experience, and location. This position may also include potential bonuses and equity. Understanding the complete compensation structure you may be eligible for can help you gauge the value of joining our team.

When asked about your experience with microservices, it's important to provide specific examples from your past work. Discuss any projects where you transitioned from a monolithic architecture, the challenges faced, and how you implemented microservices effectively. Highlight aspects like scalability, team collaboration, and how this approach improved the application's performance and reliability.

When answering how you mentor engineers, describe your philosophy on mentorship. Emphasize the importance of clear communication, setting achievable goals, and providing constructive feedback. Share specific instances where you guided team members through challenges, helping them grow their skills or resolve a complex issue in software development.

In your response, outline your hands-on experience with cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP. Mention specific projects where you utilized these platforms for scalable deployments, and discuss the advantages you identified in using cloud technologies over traditional hosting. Articulate how this experience aligns with the responsibilities you expect to have at Authorize.net.

For release management, discuss your strategies for ensuring smooth rollouts. You can mention the importance of planning, extensive testing, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and your experience with CI/CD pipelines. Provide examples where you led a successful release, highlighting any processes you implemented that reduced deployment issues.

Addressing tight deadlines, explain how you prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and work collaboratively with your team to ensure on-time delivery. Share specific anecdotes that showcase your problem-solving capabilities and how you maintain software quality even when under pressure, reflecting on lessons learned from past experiences.

When discussing your proficiency with tools and technologies, be specific about your expertise in relevant programming languages, such as C#, and any frameworks or libraries you frequently use. Highlight your familiarity with DevOps tools and practices, including monitoring and automation tools, which aid your software development processes.

In your response, share your understanding of API design best practices, such as RESTful principles or the use of proper documentation techniques. Talk about your approach to ensuring good versioning, security, and ease of use in APIs, and provide an example from your work that illustrates how these practices benefited a project.

Discuss your experience with continuous delivery and the methodologies you've successfully implemented in past roles. Share how you integrated these practices into your development processes, fostering a culture of frequent, reliable releases while balancing quality assurance.

When asked about software security, describe the security practices you incorporate into the software development lifecycle, such as secure coding practices, regular audits, and the importance of pre-deployment security checks. Share an example of how you addressed security in a previous project to protect sensitive data.

To answer this question, express your enthusiasm for working at Authorize.net by tying your personal interests to the company’s mission. Talk about your admiration for the role they play in payment processing and how you see yourself contributing to their innovative solutions while also aligning your professional values with their goals.