Principal Software Development Engineer- Front Office Expertise

Location: Chicago, IL

About Us: At Clearwater Analytics (CWAN), we are on a mission to become the world's most trusted and comprehensive technology platform for investment management, reporting, accounting, and analytics. We partner with sophisticated institutional investors worldwide and are seeking a Principal SDE who is passionate about innovation and client commitment. 

Role Overview: We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Software Engineer with over 20 years of hands-on experience in Front-Office architecture and coding. This role requires deep technical expertise in cloud technologies and distributed architecture, with a strong commitment to engineering and operational excellence. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Lead the design and implementation of scalable, high-performance software solutions in the investment management domain, specifically in OEMS, PMS, and Asset Management.  

• Drive technical innovation by integrating emerging technologies and best practices into engineering processes.  

• Mentor and guide engineering teams in developing high-quality software solutions, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.  

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align engineering strategies with business objectives and customer needs.  

• Manage large-scale projects from inception to completion, ensuring adherence to best practices in coding and architecture.  

• Present technical concepts and engineering roadmaps to executive leadership, ensuring clarity and alignment with organizational goals. 

Requirements:  

• 20+ years of hands-on engineering experience, with a focus on architecture and coding in the FinTech sector (strong Front Office experience preferred).  

• Deep expertise in cloud platforms (AWS/GCP/Azure) and distributed architectures.  

• Experience with real-time systems, asynchronous processing, event-driven architectures, and engineering excellence in a large-scale environment. 

 • Proficiency in Java, Python, and familiarity with messaging systems (JMS/Kafka/MQ) and financial protocols (FIX, SWIFT).  

• Strong verbal and written communication skills. 

Desired Qualifications:  

• Experience in both FinTech and BigTech environments, with a strong understanding of investment management on scale.  

• Familiarity with GenAI/AI technologies and their applications within the financial services industry. 

What we offer: 

• Business casual atmosphere in a flexible working environment  

• Team-focused culture that promotes innovation and ownership  

• Access cutting-edge investment reporting technology and expertise 

• Defined and undefined career pathways, allowing you to grow your way  

• Competitive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits 

• Maternity and paternity leave  

• Personal Time Off and Volunteer Time Off to give back to the community 

• RSUs, as well as an employee stock purchase plan and a 401 (k) with a match   

• Work from anywhere 3 weeks out of the year  

• Work from home Fridays 

Why Join Us? This is an incredible opportunity to lead a passionate engineering team that is shaping the future of investment management technology. If you're ready to take your career to the next level and make a significant impact, apply now!