About the Role

Imagine being at the very heart of a global e-commerce giant, shaping the foundational systems that power everything our customers see and experience. Here at iHerb, we're building something special, and we need a visionary technical leader to guide the evolution of our critical product catalog platform. If you're passionate about resolving complex architectural challenges, setting the standard for AI-native engineering, and ensuring every platform decision builds value for years to come, then this Principal Engineer role might be your next great adventure. It's a chance to leave a lasting technical legacy on one of the company's most essential systems.

Overview

The Principal Engineer, Catalog operates at the intersection of deep technical execution and broad organizational influence. In this pivotal role, you will be instrumental in resolving the hardest architectural questions, establishing the benchmark for AI-native engineering, and guaranteeing that iHerb's platform decisions compound value over time rather than accumulating technical debt. Reporting to the VP of Engineering, this position demands close collaboration with peer Principals, Engineering Managers, and various VPs across the entire organization. This is a fully remote, worldwide opportunity, meaning you can contribute from anywhere. You will own the end-to-end technical strategy for iHerb's product catalog platform, recognized as one of the most business-critical systems within the company. This role is key in leading the catalog modernization effort, meticulously defining service boundaries and data models, and setting the full-stack engineering bar for the dedicated Catalog team.

Key Responsibilities

Define and own the catalog platform architecture, including meticulous service design, robust data modeling, precise API contracts, and strategic technology choices across the entire stack.
Lead the technical scoping and execution of the catalog modernization effort, coordinating closely with the Catalog Engineering Manager and a diverse group of cross-functional partners.
Act as a hands-on contributor, writing high-quality production code and building insightful proofs of concept to validate and demonstrate innovative solutions.

Requirements

We are seeking a seasoned technical leader with a passion for building scalable, resilient systems. Your expertise will be critical in driving our platform forward. Ideal candidates will possess:

Extensive experience: Typically 10+ years in software engineering, with a significant portion dedicated to architecting and delivering large-scale, distributed systems, ideally within an e-commerce or retail domain.
Platform architecture mastery: Proven expertise in designing and managing complex data models, particularly for critical systems like product catalogs or inventory management.
Microservices and APIs: Deep understanding of microservices architecture, thoughtful API design principles, and modern data streaming technologies.
Technical leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical initiatives, mentor senior engineers, and influence architectural direction across an organization.
Hands-on proficiency: Strong proficiency in at least one major programming language such as Java, C#, Go, or Python.
Cloud expertise: Experience with major cloud platforms like AWS, GCP, or Azure, and familiarity with modern CI/CD practices.
Communication skills: Exceptional ability to articulate complex technical concepts clearly and concisely to diverse technical and non-technical audiences.
AI/ML interest: Experience with or a strong interest in integrating AI/ML capabilities into platform engineering for enhanced catalog intelligence.

What You'll Gain

Joining iHerb as a Principal Engineer, Catalog offers an unparalleled opportunity to make a significant impact. You will:

Lead transformation: Guide transformative projects on a global scale, directly influencing a core business system that impacts millions of customers worldwide.
Shape the future: Play a pivotal role in defining the technical direction of a critical platform, driving innovation with AI-native solutions.
Collaborate globally: Work alongside a talented, distributed team of engineers and leaders from around the world.
Professional growth: Engage with challenging problems that will stretch your technical abilities and foster continuous learning.
Competitive rewards: Receive a competitive compensation package, comprehensive benefits, and the flexibility of a fully remote work environment.