Principal Software Engineer – File Transfer

About the role

Mastercard is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to design, build, and operate its File Transfer platforms, which move critical data securely and reliably between Mastercard and its customers worldwide. This senior individual contributor role focuses on solving complex platform challenges and shaping technical direction without people‑management responsibilities.

Key responsibilities

• Design and build secure, scalable, highly reliable services for large‑scale file and data transfer.
• Set technical direction and influence architecture across multiple teams and services.
• Lead by example through hands‑on coding, design reviews, and technical mentoring.
• Drive end‑to‑end service ownership, including performance, reliability, and operational readiness.
• Identify and fix systemic issues, technical debt, and anti‑patterns to continuously improve platform quality.
• Partner closely with Product and Operations to deliver features and resolve production issues quickly.

Required profile

• Deep experience building production‑grade software in complex, distributed systems.
• Strong technical judgment with the ability to simplify and improve large, existing platforms.
• Comfort working across the full software lifecycle: design, build, deploy, operate, and improve.
• Collaborative mindset – influence through expertise rather than authority.
• Experience with platforms involving secure data movement, integrations, or high‑reliability services is a strong plus.

Required skills