AI automation for critical processes. Appian orchestrates AI agents, systems, and people on an enterprise platform, without replacing your systems. Backed by NEA.
About the role
As a Principal Software Engineer, you will serve as a technical linchpin for the team, bringing deep expertise in cloud-native architecture and a track record of influencing engineering direction beyond your immediate scope. Equipped with cutting-edge AI tooling, you will drive the design and delivery of high-complexity engineering solutions, set the technical bar for the team, and lead other engineers towards solutions of real complexity to ensure flawless Enterprise-Grade Orchestration .
What they're looking for
- Education: Minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science or a related technical/analytical discipline. (Equivalent experience is not accepted in lieu of a degree)
- Experience: 10+ years of relevant software development experience with a BS (or 8+ years of experience paired with a Master of Science in Computer Science or related field)
- Technical Mastery: Expert coding, scripting, and debugging proficiency in one or more core enterprise programming languages, specifically Java , Python , or Go
- Domain Expertise: Deep working knowledge of distributed systems , cloud infrastructure , and the ability to contribute meaningfully at a senior individual contributor level within that space
- Cross-Team Influence: Demonstrated ability to drive technical decisions and shape engineering practices beyond a single team or project scope
- AI-Augmented Development: Demonstrated experience using AI coding assistants and a strong ability to evaluate, coach others on, and selectively apply AI-generated code in a production engineering context
More about this role
Here at Appian, our values of Intensity and Excellence define who we are. We set high standards and live up to them, ensuring that everything we do is done with care and quality. We approach every challenge with ambition and commitment, holding ourselves and each other accountable to achieve the best results. When you join Appian, you’ll be part of a passionate team dedicated to accomplishing hard things, together.
Lead the engineering of software that matters — driving AI automation for the world's largest enterprises.
This role is based at our headquarters in McLean, Virginia. Appian was built on a culture of in-person collaboration, which we believe is a key driver of our mission to be the best. Employees hired for this position are expected to be in the office 5 days a week to foster that culture and ensure we continue to thrive through shared ideas and teamwork. We believe being in the office provides more opportunities to come together and celebrate working with the exceptional people across Appian.
Appian Engineering spans the full depth of our platform: from the foundational layers that power enterprise scale, to the AI capabilities redefining what automation can do. We...
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