Principal Software Engineer (P6)
Upwork is seeking a Principal Engineer to lead the design and development of AI-native product experiences across our web and mobile applications. In this hands-on role, you’ll drive end-to-end delivery of intelligent, assistive, and adaptive features that reimagine how work gets done on the world’s leading work marketplace.
You’ll partner closely with product, design, and AI/ML teams to translate cutting-edge models into valuable product capabilities—and you’ll do it while maintaining a strong focus on clean architecture, customer experience, and speed of iteration.
This is a role for an experienced product builder who thrives in ambiguity, scales through systems, and leads by doing.
Responsibilities
Build end-to-end AI-native product features across Upwork’s web and mobile platforms using technologies like React, React Native, and Node.js.
Define technical strategies and architectural patterns that make AI integration consistent, safe, and scalable across customer-facing experiences.
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Collaborate with Product, Design, and Umami (AI/ML) teams to prototype, validate, and launch intelligent tools, agents, copilots, and recommendation systems.
Demonstrated experience shipping customer-facing features involving AI or automation (LLMs, agents, embeddings, personalization, etc.).
Design for trust, performance, and maintainability—building AI features that are fast, explainable, and grounded in customer value.
Mentor engineers and act as a multiplier, raising the technical bar and driving architectural clarity across multiple teams or product domains.
Own the delivery of complex, cross-functional product features, resolving ambiguity and coordinating execution across functions.
Shape strategic decisions by integrating technical vision, product outcomes, and innovation opportunities
Familiarity with prompt engineering, experimentation at scale, or building AI-integrated UX patterns.
What It Takes to Catch Our Eye
10+ years of hands-on software engineering experience, with deep expertise in full-stack product development (React, React Native, Node.js, etc.).
Strong systems thinking and architectural instincts; you’ve led initiatives that shaped the direction of product experiences across multiple surfaces or teams.
Product-first mindset with an ability to navigate ambiguity, iterate quickly, and deliver with urgency and quality.
Strong communication skills; you drive alignment through clear technical thinking, not just consensus.
Experience mentoring engineers and influencing at the org level
The annual base salary range for this position is displayed below. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salary for this position, and individual base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Additionally, this position is eligible for the annual bonus plan or sales incentive plan and eligibility to participate in our long term equity incentive program.
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Perks and Benefits
Health and Wellness
Parental Benefits
Work Flexibility
Office Life and Perks
Vacation and Time Off
Financial and Retirement
Professional Development
Diversity and Inclusion