Principal Software Architect

About the role

We are looking for a Principal Software Architect to provide technical leadership for next-generation connected fire and life safety software platforms. This role will define scalable, secure, cloud-native architecture across SaaS platforms, IoT connectivity, APIs, data platforms, and AI-enabled product capabilities. The ideal candidate is a hands-on architecture leader who can influence engineering teams, product leaders, cybersecurity, SRE/operations, and business stakeholders. You will report directly to our Senior Director of Software Engineering and work out of our Atlanta, GA location on a hybrid work schedule.

For the first 90 days, new hires must be prepared to work 100% onsite Monday – Friday.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the architecture roadmap for cloud-based, connected life safety software platforms.
• Lead architecture decisions across SaaS applications, microservices, APIs, IoT device connectivity, data pipelines, and platform integrations.
• Partner with product, engineering, cybersecurity, operations, and business teams to translate business priorities into scalable technical solutions.
• Establish architecture patterns, design principles, reusable components, and governance practices across multiple engineering teams.
• Drive modernization of legacy systems into scalable, resilient, cloud-native platforms.
• Improve system reliability, performance, observability, uptime, disaster recovery, and operational readiness.
• Partner with cybersecurity teams to ensure secure-by-design architecture, identity management, data protection, and compliance readiness.
• Support platform evolution toward AI, analytics, GenAI, agentic workflows, and data-driven product capabilities.
• Mentor senior engineers and architects, raising the overall technical bar across the organization.
• Review major designs, identify architecture risks, and guide teams toward practical, scalable solutions.
• Influence executive and cross-functional stakeholders through clear architecture communication, trade-off analysis, and decision recommendations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 12+ years of software engineering experience with significant experience in architecture leadership.
• Strong experience designing and scaling cloud-native SaaS platforms.
• Hands-on experience with Azure, AWS, or similar cloud platforms; Azure experience preferred.
• Deep understanding of distributed systems, microservices, APIs, event-driven architecture, and integration patterns.
• Strong knowledge of software reliability, observability, performance engineering, scalability, and resiliency patterns.
• Experience with secure software architecture, identity/access management, data protection, and cybersecurity best practices.
• Ability to influence multiple engineering teams without direct authority.
• Strong executive communication skills with the ability to explain complex architecture topics clearly.
• Experience leading architecture reviews, technical strategy, platform modernization, and technical debt reduction.

Skills

• Experience in IoT, connected devices, industrial software, building automation, or life safety systems.
• Experience with regulated or compliance-driven products.
• Familiarity with standards such as UL, NFPA, EN, or similar industry regulations.
• Experience with AI/ML platforms, GenAI, data analytics, RAG, or agentic AI architectures.
• Experience with subscription platforms, commerce integrations, partner APIs, or developer ecosystems.
• Experience working with global engineering teams.
• Patent, innovation, or advanced technology strategy experience.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Employer-subsidized medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• 401(k) match.
• Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and educational assistance.
• Parental leave and paid time off (vacation, personal business, sick time, and holidays).
• 12 paid holidays per year.

Relocation support may be provided.