Principal Software Engineer, Data Platform

Advantage Group International is seeking a highly skilled Principal Software Engineer to take on a foundational role within our Technology team. This is a rare and impactful opportunity to architect the future of our core data systems. The successful candidate will lead the charge in modernizing and untangling our central Postgres database, a complex system that currently powers our ETL, data storage, reporting, and analytics. If you are a brilliant software architect with a deep passion for data and a talent for decomposing monolithic systems, this role is for you.

Who We Are

Advantage believes that stronger collaboration leads to better business results in any market and any industry. Our relationship benchmarking capabilities have become the gold standard for measuring business-to-business engagement in over 40+ countries for over 30 years. We operate with a lean, agile mindset, valuing direct impact and rapid iteration.

Who We Are Seeking

We are looking for a visionary software engineer who thinks in terms of scalable, distributed systems but also possesses deep expertise in database architecture. Your core mission will be to devise and execute a strategy to incrementally decompose our monolithic database into a robust, scalable, and maintainable data platform built on modern software principles and microservices. You must be able to navigate hundreds of thousands of lines of stored functions, understand the business logic within, and architect new, independent services to replace that logic. The ideal candidate has a strong background in Python, with Java experience being a significant advantage for integrating with our existing application landscape.

In other words, we need someone who:

• Is a master at software architecture, with proven experience designing and building distributed systems and breaking down monolithic applications into microservices.

• Has deep, hands-on expertise with PostgreSQL, including advanced SQL, query optimization, and the ability to reverse-engineer complex stored procedures.

• Is a strong software engineer, preferably with a background in Python, who can build high-quality, testable, and maintainable services.

• Thrives on complex, strategic challenges and can develop a long-term technical roadmap while delivering incremental value.

• Can communicate complex technical ideas clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Has the leadership skills to guide the technical direction of this critical initiative and mentor other team members.

Your Day-to-Day

This is not a typical feature-development role. Your primary focus will be on the strategic evolution of our data platform. Your responsibilities will involve:

• Performing a deep analysis of our existing Postgres database to map out dependencies, data flows, and business logic encapsulated in stored functions.

• Designing a target architecture for a new data platform, leveraging microservices, APIs, and event-driven patterns.

• Developing and championing a multi-year strategy to migrate logic and functionality out of the database and into new services with minimal disruption.

• Writing hands-on, high-quality code to build the foundational components of the new data platform.

• Working closely with our application development teams to define new data contracts and APIs.

• Establishing best practices for data modelling, data access, and service-to-service communication.

Your Skill Set

You should have deep, hands-on experience with most of the following, demonstrating a practical, craftsman-like approach:

• Software Architecture: Extensive experience in designing distributed systems, API design (REST, gRPC), and event-driven architecture. A proven track record of successfully decomposing a monolithic system is highly desirable.

• Primary Language (Python Preferred): Deep expertise in a modern programming language, preferably Python, for building robust, scalable backend services. Experience with frameworks like Django or FastAPI is a plus.

• Database Expertise: World-class knowledge of PostgreSQL, including schema design, advanced query patterns, performance tuning, and analysing complex stored functions.

• Advantageous (Java): Experience with Java and the Spring Boot framework will be beneficial for understanding and integrating with our existing application services.

• Data Technologies: Familiarity with modern data engineering concepts, including ETL/ELT patterns, data warehousing, and messaging systems (e.g., Kafka, RabbitMQ).

• Cloud & DevOps: Experience working in a cloud environment (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and an understanding of CI/CD and infrastructure-as-code principles.

Your Characteristics

You must have:

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and complexity.

• A strategic, long-term mindset balanced with a pragmatic ability to execute and deliver results incrementally.

• Patience, persistence, and meticulous attention to detail.

• Fantastic written and verbal communication skills.

You must be:

• A creative and systems-level thinker.

• A collaborative partner who can influence and guide technical decisions across teams.

• Passionate about building elegant, durable solutions to hard problems.

Why Should You Work with Us?

The Advantage Group offers an excellent work-life balance and a culture that values innovation and individual contribution, including the following:

• Stable company, with an established client-base and a continual steady growth.

• A unique and high-impact technical challenge with the autonomy to lead the solution.

• Excellent work-life balance: flexible hours, hybrid working and generous vacation policy.

• Hybrid work environment.

• A paid day off on your birthday.

• One volunteer day off per year.

• Intelligent, passionate, and collaborative team members who value craftsmanship.

• Health benefits including counselling and mental health support.

• Competitive compensation including Group RRSP.

Don't meet every single requirement? We are looking for a unique blend of skills. If you're excited about this role and believe you have the architectural and engineering prowess to tackle this challenge, we encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate.

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