Lead Software Engineer - Austin/Plano

PowerSchool · United States

Hybrid
Full-time
$170,000 / year
United States

Job highlights

Lead modernization of reporting framework to cloud-native platform.
Develop AI-driven pipelines for data extraction and transformation.
Hands-on development with Python, TypeScript, and AWS.
Mentor engineering team and define technical standards.
Ensure platform scalability, security, and operational excellence.

About the role

Lead Software Engineer

Overview

At PowerSchool, we are a dedicated team of innovators guided by our shared purpose of powering personalized education for students around the world. From the central office to the classroom to the home, PowerSchool supports the entire educational ecosystem as the global leader of cloud-based software for K-12 education. Our employees make it all possible, and a career with us means you’re joining a successful team committed to engaging, empowering, and improving the K-12 education experience everywhere.

Team Overview

Our Research & Development (R&D) team is the technical talent at the heart of our product suite, overseeing the product development lifecycle from concept to delivery. From engineering to quality assurance to data science, the R&D team ensures our customers seamlessly use our products and can depend on their consistency.

We are open to hiring this position in Austin, TX or Plano, TX.

Responsibilities

Role Overview

We are launching a major modernization effort to transform our legacy single-tenant reporting framework into a multi-tenant, cloud-native, AI-augmented reporting and analytics platform. This role will serve as the technical lead for the initiative, responsible for architecture, design leadership, and hands-on development. The Lead Engineer will drive technical direction, guide the engineering team, and help define how AI is leveraged to migrate business logic and report metadata from the current system to the new platform.

Key Responsibilities

Lead architecture and design for a new multi-tenant reporting platform built on AWS serverless technologies.
Provide hands-on development using Python, TypeScript, SQL, and AWS services including Lambda, Step Functions, API Gateway and others.
Develop AI-driven pipelines that extract, translate, and validate business logic and report parameter screens from the legacy platform.
Define coding standards, best practices, and development patterns across the engineering team.
Mentor senior and mid-level engineers; conduct design and code reviews.
Partner with Product, Data, QA, and Architecture teams to align technical and business requirements.
Evaluate and recommend emerging AI technologies and frameworks to optimize automation capabilities.
Ensure platform scalability, security, tenant isolation, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

Required Skills & Experience

Extensive experience with AWS serverless architectures.
Expert-level proficiency in Python and TypeScript.
Prior experience with AI for code generation, metadata extraction, or workflow automation.
Strong SQL background; Snowflake experience is a plus.
Demonstrated experience building or integrating AI-driven systems (LLMs, embeddings, AI agents, transformation pipelines).
Solid experience with distributed systems, data pipelines, or modernizing legacy platforms.
Proven leadership in technical strategy and mentoring.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience designing or operating multi-tenant platforms.
Strong knowledge of ETL/ELT architecture patterns.
Strong documentation, communication, and stakeholder‑management skills.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation & Benefits

PowerSchool Offers The Following Benefits:

Comprehensive Insurance Coverage (including Medical, Dental, Vision, Pharmacy benefits, Life Insurance and AD&D)
Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts
Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability
Comprehensive 401(k) plan
Generous Parental Leave
Unrestricted paid time off (known as Discretionary Time Off - DTO)
Wellness Program, including ClassPass & Employee Assistance Program
Tuition Reimbursement
Optional Benefits: Pet Insurance, Identity Theft Protection, Student Debt Repayment Program and Prepaid Legal coverage

A reasonable estimate of the base compensation range for this position is $92,800 - $170,300 USD. This compensation range is specific to the United States and it incorporates many factors including but not limited to an applicant's skills and prior relevant experience and training; licensures, degrees, and certifications; internal equity; internal pay ranges; and market data/range parameters.

EEO Commitment

EEO Commitment

PowerSchool is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. PowerSchool is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. Our inclusive culture empowers PowerSchoolers to deliver the best results for our customers. We not only celebrate the diversity of our workforce, we celebrate the diverse ways we work. If you have a disability and need an accommodation regarding our recruiting process, please let us know by emailing accomodations@powerschool.com.

Key skills/competency

AWS Serverless
Python
TypeScript
SQL
AI/ML
Cloud-Native Platforms
Software Architecture
Technical Leadership
Mentoring
Legacy Modernization

Skills & topics

Lead Software Engineer
AWS
Serverless
Python
TypeScript
SQL
AI
Cloud Computing
Software Architecture
Technical Leadership
K-12 Education Technology
Platform Modernization
Multi-tenant Architecture
LLMs
Embeddings
AI Agents
Data Pipelines
Legacy Modernization
Mentoring
Code Reviews
Austin
Plano
Texas

How to get hired

Tailor your resume: Highlight AWS serverless, Python, TypeScript, AI experience, and leadership skills relevant to the Lead Software Engineer role at PowerSchool.
Craft a compelling cover letter: Express your passion for educational technology and how your technical expertise can drive modernization efforts.
Showcase your leadership: Prepare examples of technical strategy, mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration during your interviews.
Demonstrate AI proficiency: Be ready to discuss your experience with AI for code generation, metadata extraction, or workflow automation.
Understand PowerSchool's mission: Connect your contributions to powering personalized education and improving the K-12 experience.

Technical preparation

Master Python and TypeScript for cloud development.,Deepen AWS serverless services knowledge.,Build AI-driven data pipeline projects.,Practice distributed systems design patterns.

Behavioral questions

Describe leading a complex technical initiative.,How do you mentor junior engineers effectively?,Share an experience of modernizing legacy systems.,How do you balance technical vision with team input?

Frequently asked questions

What are the key technologies used by the Lead Software Engineer at PowerSchool?: The Lead Software Engineer at PowerSchool will primarily work with AWS serverless technologies, Python, TypeScript, and SQL. Experience with Snowflake and AI-driven systems (LLMs, embeddings, AI agents) is also highly valued for this role.
What is the main goal of the modernization project for the Lead Software Engineer role?: The main goal is to transform PowerSchool's legacy single-tenant reporting framework into a multi-tenant, cloud-native, AI-augmented reporting and analytics platform.
Does PowerSchool offer remote work for the Lead Software Engineer position?: PowerSchool is open to hiring this Lead Software Engineer position in either Austin, TX or Plano, TX. The job description does not explicitly state remote work options, suggesting it may be on-site or hybrid in those locations.
What kind of leadership responsibilities does the Lead Software Engineer have at PowerSchool?: The Lead Software Engineer will be responsible for architecture and design leadership, driving technical direction, guiding the engineering team, defining coding standards, and mentoring other engineers.
How does PowerSchool emphasize diversity and inclusion in its hiring process for a Lead Software Engineer?: PowerSchool is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. They do not discriminate based on protected characteristics and encourage candidates needing accommodation to contact accomodations@powerschool.com.
What is the estimated salary range for the Lead Software Engineer position at PowerSchool?: The estimated base compensation range for this position in the United States is $92,800 - $170,300 USD, depending on factors like skills, experience, and internal equity.
What are the benefits offered to a Lead Software Engineer at PowerSchool?: PowerSchool offers comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), generous parental leave, and unrestricted paid time off (DTO), among others.
What specific AI experience is PowerSchool looking for in a Lead Software Engineer?: PowerSchool is seeking prior experience with AI for code generation, metadata extraction, or workflow automation. Demonstrated experience building or integrating AI-driven systems, including LLMs, embeddings, and AI agents, is also required.

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Job highlights

Lead modernization of reporting framework to cloud-native platform.

Develop AI-driven pipelines for data extraction and transformation.

Hands-on development with Python, TypeScript, and AWS.

Mentor engineering team and define technical standards.

Ensure platform scalability, security, and operational excellence.

About the role

Lead Software Engineer

Overview

Team Overview

We are open to hiring this position in Austin, TX or Plano, TX.

Responsibilities

Role Overview

Key Responsibilities

Lead architecture and design for a new multi-tenant reporting platform built on AWS serverless technologies.
Provide hands-on development using Python, TypeScript, SQL, and AWS services including Lambda, Step Functions, API Gateway and others.
Develop AI-driven pipelines that extract, translate, and validate business logic and report parameter screens from the legacy platform.
Define coding standards, best practices, and development patterns across the engineering team.
Mentor senior and mid-level engineers; conduct design and code reviews.
Partner with Product, Data, QA, and Architecture teams to align technical and business requirements.
Evaluate and recommend emerging AI technologies and frameworks to optimize automation capabilities.
Ensure platform scalability, security, tenant isolation, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

Required Skills & Experience

Extensive experience with AWS serverless architectures.
Expert-level proficiency in Python and TypeScript.
Prior experience with AI for code generation, metadata extraction, or workflow automation.
Strong SQL background; Snowflake experience is a plus.
Demonstrated experience building or integrating AI-driven systems (LLMs, embeddings, AI agents, transformation pipelines).
Solid experience with distributed systems, data pipelines, or modernizing legacy platforms.
Proven leadership in technical strategy and mentoring.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience designing or operating multi-tenant platforms.
Strong knowledge of ETL/ELT architecture patterns.
Strong documentation, communication, and stakeholder‑management skills.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation & Benefits

PowerSchool Offers The Following Benefits:

Comprehensive Insurance Coverage (including Medical, Dental, Vision, Pharmacy benefits, Life Insurance and AD&D)
Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts
Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability
Comprehensive 401(k) plan
Generous Parental Leave
Unrestricted paid time off (known as Discretionary Time Off - DTO)
Wellness Program, including ClassPass & Employee Assistance Program
Tuition Reimbursement
Optional Benefits: Pet Insurance, Identity Theft Protection, Student Debt Repayment Program and Prepaid Legal coverage

EEO Commitment

EEO Commitment

Key skills/competency

AWS Serverless
Python
TypeScript
SQL
AI/ML
Cloud-Native Platforms
Software Architecture
Technical Leadership
Mentoring
Legacy Modernization

How to get hired

Tailor your resume: Highlight AWS serverless, Python, TypeScript, AI experience, and leadership skills relevant to the Lead Software Engineer role at PowerSchool.
Craft a compelling cover letter: Express your passion for educational technology and how your technical expertise can drive modernization efforts.
Showcase your leadership: Prepare examples of technical strategy, mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration during your interviews.
Demonstrate AI proficiency: Be ready to discuss your experience with AI for code generation, metadata extraction, or workflow automation.
Understand PowerSchool's mission: Connect your contributions to powering personalized education and improving the K-12 experience.

Frequently asked questions

What are the key technologies used by the Lead Software Engineer at PowerSchool?

The Lead Software Engineer at PowerSchool will primarily work with AWS serverless technologies, Python, TypeScript, and SQL. Experience with Snowflake and AI-driven systems (LLMs, embeddings, AI agents) is also highly valued for this role.

What is the main goal of the modernization project for the Lead Software Engineer role?

The main goal is to transform PowerSchool's legacy single-tenant reporting framework into a multi-tenant, cloud-native, AI-augmented reporting and analytics platform.

Does PowerSchool offer remote work for the Lead Software Engineer position?

PowerSchool is open to hiring this Lead Software Engineer position in either Austin, TX or Plano, TX. The job description does not explicitly state remote work options, suggesting it may be on-site or hybrid in those locations.

What kind of leadership responsibilities does the Lead Software Engineer have at PowerSchool?

The Lead Software Engineer will be responsible for architecture and design leadership, driving technical direction, guiding the engineering team, defining coding standards, and mentoring other engineers.

How does PowerSchool emphasize diversity and inclusion in its hiring process for a Lead Software Engineer?

PowerSchool is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. They do not discriminate based on protected characteristics and encourage candidates needing accommodation to contact accomodations@powerschool.com.

What is the estimated salary range for the Lead Software Engineer position at PowerSchool?

The estimated base compensation range for this position in the United States is $92,800 - $170,300 USD, depending on factors like skills, experience, and internal equity.

What are the benefits offered to a Lead Software Engineer at PowerSchool?

PowerSchool offers comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), generous parental leave, and unrestricted paid time off (DTO), among others.

What specific AI experience is PowerSchool looking for in a Lead Software Engineer?

PowerSchool is seeking prior experience with AI for code generation, metadata extraction, or workflow automation. Demonstrated experience building or integrating AI-driven systems, including LLMs, embeddings, and AI agents, is also required.