Software Engineer (Leadership) - Infrastructure
Meta · New York, NY
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- On site
- Full-time
- $250,000 / year
- New York, NY
Job highlights
- Lead infrastructure engineering for global connection products.
- Drive technical direction and long-term vision.
- Resolve complex performance and scalability issues.
- Collaborate with leaders on strategic initiatives.
- Shape the future of social technology.
About the role
Principal Software Engineer Infrastructure - Meta
Meta is seeking talented principal engineers to join our teams in building cutting-edge products that connect billions of people around the world. As a member of our team, you will oversee complex technical problems, build new features, and improve existing products across various platforms, including mobile devices and web applications. Our teams are constantly pushing the boundaries of user experience, and we're looking for passionate individuals who can help us advance the way people connect globally. If you're interested in leading a world-class team of engineers and researchers to work on exciting projects that have significant impact, we encourage you to apply.
Responsibilities:
- Drive the team's goals and technical direction to pursue opportunities that make your larger organization more efficient
- Effectively communicate complex features and systems in detail
- Understand industry & company-wide trends to help assess & develop new technologies
- Partner & collaborate with organization leaders to help improve the level of performance of the team & organization
- Identify new opportunities for the larger organization & influence the appropriate people for staffing/prioritizing these new ideas
- Lead long term technical vision and roadmap for large cross-company efforts
- Suggest, collect and synthesize requirements and create an effective feature roadmap
- Identify and resolve performance and scalability issues, and drive large efforts to reduce technical debt
Minimum Qualifications:
- 12+ years of programming experience in a relevant language OR 8+ years experience with a PhD
- Experience mentoring/influencing executive stakeholders across organizations
- Experience utilizing data and analysis to explain technical problems and provide detailed feedback and solutions
- Experience driving large cross-functional/industry-wide engineering efforts
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience
- Experience communicating and working across functions to drive solutions
- Proven track record of planning multi-year roadmap in which short-term projects ladder to the long-term mission
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in programming languages such as C, C++, or Java, and scripting languages such as Python, Javascript, or Hack
- 8+ years relevant experience building large-scale infrastructure applications or similar experience
- Experience improving quality through thoughtful code reviews, appropriate testing, proper rollout, monitoring, and proactive changes
- Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)
- Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
- Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies
About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.
Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
Key skills/competency
- Principal Software Engineer
- Infrastructure
- Technical Leadership
- Roadmap Planning
- Scalability
- Performance Optimization
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Mentoring
- AI Integration
- System Design
Skills & topics
- Software Engineer
- Principal Engineer
- Infrastructure
- Leadership
- Meta
- Technology
- Engineering
- Scalability
- Performance
- Roadmap
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your 12+ years of programming experience or 8+ years with a PhD, focusing on large-scale infrastructure, roadmap planning, and cross-functional leadership.
- Showcase leadership: Emphasize experience mentoring stakeholders and driving significant engineering efforts.
- Quantify achievements: Use data and analysis to demonstrate problem-solving and impact.
- Prepare for technical deep-dives: Be ready to discuss complex systems, performance, and scalability solutions.
- Understand Meta's mission: Align your application with Meta's commitment to connecting people and advancing social technology.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What are the key responsibilities for a Principal Software Engineer Infrastructure at Meta?
- As a Principal Software Engineer Infrastructure at Meta, you will drive the team's technical direction, lead long-term technical vision and roadmap, identify and resolve performance and scalability issues, and partner with organization leaders to improve team and organizational performance. You'll also communicate complex systems and assess new technologies.
- What programming languages are preferred for this Principal Software Engineer Infrastructure role at Meta?
- Preferred programming languages for this role at Meta include C, C++, Java, and scripting languages such as Python, Javascript, or Hack. A strong foundation in a relevant language is essential, with these being particularly valued for building large-scale infrastructure applications.
- What kind of experience is needed to be considered for the Principal Software Engineer Infrastructure position at Meta?
- Meta requires a minimum of 12+ years of programming experience in a relevant language or 8+ years with a PhD. Additionally, experience mentoring executive stakeholders, driving large cross-functional engineering efforts, and planning multi-year roadmaps are crucial. Preferred qualifications include extensive experience with large-scale infrastructure applications and AI tool integration.
- How does Meta approach AI integration for its Principal Software Engineer Infrastructure roles?
- Meta looks for demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize workflows and drive measurable impact. This includes experience with responsible AI practices, risk assessment, bias mitigation, and ongoing AI skill development such as prompt engineering and agent orchestration.
- What is the typical career progression for a Principal Software Engineer Infrastructure at Meta?
- The Principal Software Engineer role at Meta is a senior individual contributor position focused on technical leadership and strategic impact. Progression often involves taking on larger, more complex projects, influencing broader technical strategy across the organization, and potentially mentoring other senior engineers.
- How important is cross-functional collaboration for this Principal Software Engineer Infrastructure job at Meta?
- Cross-functional collaboration is highly important. You will be expected to partner with organization leaders, communicate complex features across functions, and drive solutions that impact multiple teams or even industry-wide efforts.