Principal Software Engineer

About Us vFairs is an all-in-one event management platform and Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader helping event planners power conferences, trade shows, and corporate events with in-person, hybrid, and virtual solutions. Our platform includes event registration, on-site badge printing, mobile apps, and more, managing the entire event lifecycle from planning through analytics. Rated 4.9/5 for customer support and recognized as a top platform on G2, we're known for robust technology and customer service that goes the extra mile. vFairs has a transparent, fast-paced, and collaborative culture, with geographically distributed teams united by strong processes and the autonomy to drive solutions forward. Role Overview vFairs is seeking a Principal Software Engineer with deep expertise in web technologies to lead technical initiatives, mentor development teams, and architect scalable solutions. As a technical leader, you'll drive innovation, establish best practices, and ensure the delivery of high-quality, performant web applications.

Responsibilities Technical Leadership

• Architect and design scalable web applications and micro services
• Lead technical decisions and establish coding standards across the organization
• Mentor and guide development teams on best practices and emerging technologies
• Conduct technical interviews and contribute to hiring decisions
• Drive innovation by researching and implementing new technologies and frameworks

Development & Engineering

• Develop and maintain high-performance web applications using modern JavaScript frameworks (Vue.js, React, Angular)
• Design and implement robust backend APIs using Laravel/PHP and other relevant technologies
• Write and optimize complex MySQL queries and database schemas
• Build responsive, accessible front-end components using HTML5, CSS3, and modern CSS frameworks
• Implement comprehensive testing strategies (unit, integration, e2e)

System Design & Performance

• Architect scalable, maintainable, and performant web solutions
• Optimize applications for maximum speed, scalability, and user experience
• Design and implement caching strategies and performance monitoring
• Ensure cross-browser compatibility and mobile responsiveness
• Implement security best practices and data protection measures

Process & Quality Assurance

• Establish and maintain CI/CD pipelines and deployment strategies
• Conduct thorough code reviews and provide constructive feedback
• Implement version control best practices and branching strategies
• Define and monitor key performance indicators for web applications
• Troubleshoot complex issues and provide technical support

Collaboration & Communication

• Collaborate with product managers, designers, and stakeholders to define technical requirements
• Communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Participate in agile ceremonies and contribute to sprint planning
• Document technical decisions, architecture, and implementation details

Requirements Education & Experience

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field
• 8+ years of progressive experience in full-stack web development
• 3+ years in a senior/lead technical role with team leadership experience
• Proven track record of delivering complex web applications at scale

Technical Expertise

• Expert-level proficiency in modern JavaScript (ES6+) and TypeScript
• Deep experience with Vue.js, React, or Angular (preferably multiple frameworks)
• Strong backend development skills with Laravel/PHP and RESTful API design
• Advanced database skills including MySQL optimization, complex queries, and schema design
• Experience with modern build tools (Webpack, Vite, etc.) and package managers

Architecture & Design

• Experience designing and implementing microservices and distributed systems
• Knowledge of web performance optimization techniques and tools
• Understanding of security best practices (OWASP, authentication, authorization)
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)

Development Practices

• Expertise in Git workflows, branching strategies, and version control best practices
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks
• Knowledge of agile methodologies and software development lifecycle
• Experience with monitoring, logging, and observability tools

Soft Skills

• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities
• Excellent communication skills (technical and non-technical)
• Problem-solving mindset with analytical thinking
• Ability to work independently and lead cross-functional teams
• Continuous learning attitude and passion for technology

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with event-driven architectures and real-time web applications
• Knowledge of WebRTC, WebSockets, and real-time communication protocols
• Experience with performance monitoring tools (New Relic, DataDog, etc.)
• Contributions to open-source projects or technical communities
• Experience with accessibility standards (WCAG) and internationalization
• Knowledge of SEO best practices and web analytics
• Experience with progressive web apps (PWA) and mobile web development