This is an opportunity to register your interest in future Principal Developer positions focused on designing and leading distributed systems at scale. Roles of this type could involve architecting microservices-based solutions, mentoring senior engineers, and driving technical excellence across complex software environments where system reliability and performance are critical to business outcomes. Please note the content of this advert does not represent a live vacancy. About the opportunity Roles of this type may sit within engineering teams building foundational infrastructure and distributed systems for mission-critical applications. The work could involve leading the design and delivery of microservices architectures, mentoring and guiding senior developers, and influencing technical strategy across multiple teams. You could have scope to shape how systems scale, how quality standards are established, and how engineering practices evolve. Typical role overview

Location:

Chicago, Illinois, USA Type:

Contract

•

Full-time Rate:

$720 - $960 per day

Focus:

Microservices

• Distributed systems architecture

• Technical leadership What you would do Typical responsibilities could include: Leading the design and implementation of microservices-based architectures at scale Driving technical decisions that influence system reliability, performance, and maintainability Mentoring and guiding senior engineers, raising technical standards across teams Collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders to translate business requirements into scalable system design Establishing and enforcing code quality practices, architectural patterns, and development methodologies Conducting technical reviews and providing strategic guidance on complex distributed systems challenges Contributing to long-term technical roadmaps and infrastructure evolution What you could bring Most roles of this type require the following: 10-15 years of software development experience, with deep expertise in microservices and distributed systems 5+ years leading or mentoring senior technical teams Proven track record designing and delivering large-scale, distributed system solutions Strong experience with system architecture, scalability patterns, and operational excellence Demonstrated expertise in code quality, testing strategies, and development best practices Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent professional experience Authorization to work in the United States Nice-to-have experience could include: Experience with cloud-native architectures and containerization Knowledge of event-driven systems and asynchronous communication patterns Contributions to open source projects or technical community leadership What roles of this type could offer Most roles of this type offer the following, dependent on the industry and seniority of the role: Opportunity to lead and shape the technical direction of significant distributed systems initiatives Scope to mentor and develop the next generation of senior engineers Exposure to complex architectural challenges that require deep technical expertise Potential for continued growth into principal and staff-level roles Collaborative environment with other senior technical leaders Contract flexibility and competitive daily rate reflecting senior-level expertise About Specialist Staffing Group Specialist Staffing Group connects exceptional talent with rewarding opportunities across software engineering, technology infrastructure, and digital transformation. We work with leading organizations to build high-performing teams and advance technical excellence. Our focus is on matching skilled professionals with roles where their expertise drives meaningful impact. How to register interest If you are interested in being added to our database to be considered for future opportunities, registering is quick and easy. No cover letter required. We will be in touch when we are instructed on these roles to discuss the next step in your career. Please note that the content of this advert does not represent a live vacancy or any guarantee of future vacancies, and by responding to this advert you agree to us adding your details to our database for future opportunities.