Principal Software Engineer

Natera • Austin, TX

9h

About The Position

We are seeking an accomplished Principal Software Engineer to shape the future of lab software platforms powering high-throughput, regulated laboratory operations. In this role, you will define technical direction across complex, distributed systems and lead the evolution of software applications that drive lab automation, efficiency, and operational excellence.
You will operate as a hands-on technical leader with deep ownership, from architecture and design through critical implementation to influencing lab operations processes, engineering standards, and long-term platform strategy. This role is ideal for a systems thinker who thrives in ambiguity, makes sound tradeoffs, and raises the technical bar for the entire organization.

Requirements

• 12-15+ years of experience in developing software applications.
• Proven experience with programming languages such as Python, Java, NextJS, and TypeScript.
• Solid understanding of relational databases and proficiency in SQL programming, with a preference for MySQL or PostgreSQL.
• Solid understanding of non-relational and graph databases.
• Proficiency in leveraging AWS services, including Lambda, RDS, DynamoDB, S3, and Glue.
• Proficiency in infrastructure as code (IaC).
• Proficiency in messaging frameworks such as Kafka.
• Strong quality assurance mindset with a commitment to delivering robust and reliable software.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, coupled with excellent interpersonal skills, enable effective interaction with stakeholders at all levels.

Nice To Haves

• Experience building custom Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) or Laboratory Execution Systems (LES).
• Experience with Lab Equipment and Lab Automation.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the architecture of large-scale, mission-critical systems supporting lab automation, workflow orchestration, and decision support.
• Define and enforce architectural patterns for modular, distributed systems, including modernizing legacy and off-the-shelf LIMS platforms to cloud-native architectures.
• Make high-impact technical decisions balancing scalability, reliability, security, cost, and regulatory constraints.
• Establish engineering best practices across performance, observability, testing, security, and operational readiness.
• Mentor senior engineers and managers through design reviews, technical guidance, and reusable frameworks.
• Drive adoption of Generative AI to improve developer productivity and software quality.
• Lead the application of AI/ML capabilities to improve lab throughput, TAT, automation reliability, and operator experience.
• Lead and contribute across the full software development lifecycle—from problem framing and architecture through implementation, deployment, and production support.
• Plan and execute complex migrations from legacy and off-the-shelf lab systems to the new strategic platform, including data migration, integration cutovers, validation strategy, and rollback planning, while minimizing downtime and operational risk in a regulated environment.
• Build and review robust backend services and modern frontend applications using Python, TypeScript, React, and Next.js.
• Stabilize and scale existing LIMS solutions while leading strategic modernization to a new technology stack.
• Design and operate systems on AWS with a focus on availability, fault tolerance, cost efficiency, and security.
• Advance CI/CD practices with infrastructure-as-code, automated testing, and production-grade observability.
• Partner closely with Product, UX, Scientists, and Lab Operations to translate complex workflows into scalable, intuitive systems.
• Lead technical discussions that influence product roadmaps and platform strategy.
• Foster a culture of engineering excellence, ownership, and continuous improvement across teams.

Benefits

• Employee benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans for eligible employees and their dependents.
• Additionally, Natera employees and their immediate families receive free testing in addition to fertility care benefits.
• Other benefits include pregnancy and baby bonding leave, 401k benefits, commuter benefits and much more.
• We also offer a generous employee referral program!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: No Education Listed