Principal Software Engineer

The Principal Software Engineer is a hands-on software developer with extended responsibility for the technical design, quality, and long-term maintainability of key software components and subsystems within IAI’s machines and software platforms.

In this role, the Principal Software Engineer acts as a technical owner at component and subsystem level, contributing actively to system and platform architecture decisions while remaining deeply involved in implementation, testing, and validation on machines. The role combines strong execution capability with architectural awareness, technical mentoring, and a clear ownership mindset.

The Principal Software Engineer works in multidisciplinary project teams and collaborates closely with software, mechanical, electrical, A&T, service, and project colleagues to deliver robust, high-quality software that meets current and future product requirements.

About the company

HID powers the trusted identities of the world’s people, places, and things, allowing people to transact safely, work productively and travel freely.

We are a high-tech software company headquartered in Austin, TX, with over 4,500 worldwide employees.

Secure Issuance

Secure Issuance, part of HID Global, offers a broad portfolio of card printers, laser engravers, encoders and software. Organizations across industries rely on HID Global Secure Issuance for the custom personalization and issuance of secure identity credentials and financial cards.

Key responsibilities

These duties are fundamental to the role and are required to perform its core function.

Software Development & Implementation

• Develop software from specification through design, implementation, testing, integration, and documentation
• Remain actively hands-on in coding, debugging, integration, and validation of software on machines
• Analyze customer and system requirements and translate them into high-quality software solutions

Technical Ownership & Architecture

• Act as technical owner for assigned software components and subsystems, taking responsibility for design choices, code quality, maintainability, and long-term evolution
• Contribute to system and platform architecture decisions and ensure alignment with agreed architectural principles and standards
• Ensure that software designs are robust, scalable, and suitable for reuse across products where applicable

Quality, Standards & Security

• Ensure software is developed according to agreed coding standards, architectural guidelines, and best practices
• Apply secure and robust software development practices appropriate for industrial systems and customer environments

Testing, Validation & Maintenance

• Test and validate software functionality against specifications
• Analyze and resolve software-related issues in delivered machines and installations

Primary duties

These duties are important and regularly performed but support the essential duties rather than define the role itself.

Software Development & Integration

• Integrate third party software components where required

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Perform and contribute to code reviews, actively managing technical debt and improving overall software quality
• Ensure proper documentation of changes and maintain up to date software documentation and manuals

Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing

• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams to translate user requirements into functional software solutions
• Act as a technical mentor for software engineers, supporting their development through code reviews, design discussions, and knowledge sharing
• Support A&T and Service Engineers by providing technical expertise, training, and knowledge transfer

Platform Awareness & Engineering Improvement

• Develop software with awareness of platform level impact, long term maintainability, and consistency across products
• Actively contribute to the continuous improvement of software architectures, tools, and development practices within Engineering

Your experience and background include

• Proven experience in software development for industrial or hardware-related applications
• Strong experience in designing, developing, testing, and maintaining complex software systems
• Experience working in multidisciplinary project environments
• Strong proficiency in software development (e.g. C#, C/C++, Python or comparable languages)
• Experience with software-hardware interaction and machine control software
• Familiarity with structured software development processes, testing, and documentation
• Understanding of software architecture principles and best practices
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to explain technical concepts clearly to colleagues, stakeholders, and customers
• Strong collaborative mindset and willingness to support and mentor others

What we can offer you

• Competitive salary and rewards package
• Competitive benefits and annual leave offering, allowing for work-life balance
• A vibrant, welcoming & inclusive culture
• Extensive career development opportunities and resources to maximize your potential
• To be a part of a global organization that is pioneering the hardware, software and services that allow people to confidently navigate the physical and digital worlds

Why join

Empowerment

• You’ll work as part of a global team in a flexible work environment, learning and enhancing your expertise.
• You don’t need to check all the boxes. If you have most of the skills and experience, this role may still be a strong fit.

Innovation

• You embrace challenges and want to drive change.
• We are open to ideas, including flexible work arrangements, job sharing or part-time job seekers.

Integrity

• You are results-orientated, reliable, and straightforward and value being treated accordingly.
• We want all our employees to be themselves, to feel appreciated and accepted.