Principal Software Engineer - Digital Solutions, Custom Development

Shape the future of digital solutions as a Principal Software Engineer at dsm-firmenich. We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer who can shape, lead, and guide the complete development lifecycle of custom developed digital solutions within our organization, serving as the go-to expert. You’ll define the strategy, shape the roadmap, and lead by example in building scalable, secure, and high-performing systems that fulfill business needs. Your deep technical knowledge, combined with a sharp eye for emerging technologies—especially AI—will challenge conventional thinking and inspire innovation. This role requires strong technical expertise, leadership skills to mentor teams and drive solution excellence, as well as curiosity and boldness to be a catalyst for change. This is an individual contributor role and does not include direct people management responsibilities.

Your key responsibilities

• Maximize the value of the custom development technologies and platforms.
• Lead end-to-end technical design and architecture for various solution areas (e.g., Cloud Native Architecture (AWS, Azure), Low-Code (preferably Mendix)), and recommend improvements to system design, architecture, and performance.
• Drive the adoption and integration of AI/ML technologies and Agentic AI to enhance custom development—making solutions smarter, faster, and more adaptive.
• Oversee development and implementation of solutions, ensuring alignment with business requirements and challenging them where needed; discuss and advise the enterprise architecture.
• Lead, define, and enforce coding standards, design patterns, best practices, platform improvement tools and processes (e.g., automated testing, code quality & security).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (business analysts, solution architects, developers, QA, operations) to deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Troubleshoot complex technical issues and provide hands-on guidance when necessary.
• Mentor and coach developers and technical team members, fostering growth and continuous learning.

We offer

• Work in very close proximity to our business in a global and intercultural environment.
• Progress to life. By being in the D&T department you will shape the future through digital and innovative solutions.
• High-challenge career and big opportunities within custom software development and its technologies.
• A flexible work environment that empowers people to take accountability for their work and own the outcome.
• Barrier-free communities within our organization where every employee is equally valued and respected – regardless of their background, beliefs, or identity.
• An eagerness to be one team and learn from each other to bring progress to life and create a better future.

You bring

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Proven experience (8-10+ years) in designing, developing, and delivering custom developed enterprise-grade solutions in a hybrid development environment (high- & low-code).
• Expert knowledge of solution architecture, integration patterns, APIs, cloud technologies, and security practices.
• Proven expertise in AI/ML frameworks and a strong curiosity for emerging technologies, e.g. AWS Sagemaker, PyTorch, LLMs (OpenAI, AWS Bedrock).
• Hands-on coding/scripting experience in relevant technologies & platforms (e.g. Cloud Technology (AWS, Azure), .NET, Java, JavaScript, Python, SQL, Mendix, PowerApps, ServiceNow).
• Experience with Agile delivery, CI/CD, and DevOps practices.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, stakeholder management, and communication abilities.
• Prior leadership experience, with the ability to guide and mentor technical teams.

Scope of the chapter:

The Custom Development team is part of the Software, Process & Integration Engineering cluster and responsible for the design, development, and governance of tailor-made applications across the organization in high- and/or low-code (with a strong emphasis on AWS, Azure, and Mendix). The team is also responsible for driving AI and the use of Agentic AI in custom development.

About dsm-firmenich

At dsm-firmenich, we don’t just meet expectations—we go beyond them. Join our global team powered by science, creativity, and a shared purpose: to bring progress to life. From elevating health to making fortified food and sustainable skincare, the impact of your work here will be felt by millions—every single day. Whether it’s fragrance that helps you focus, alternative meat that’s better for the planet, or reducing sugar without losing flavor, this is where you help shape the future of nutrition, health, and beauty for everyone, everywhere.

And while you’re making a difference, we’ll make sure you’re growing too. With learning that never stops, a culture that lifts you up, and the freedom to move across businesses, teams, and borders. Your voice matters here. And your ideas? They’re essential to our future. Because real progress only happens when we go beyond, together.