Principal Software Engineer

Snout is hiring a Principal Software Engineer for a remote role open to applicants in United States. It pays $160k-$200k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Snout.

Level's read on this job

Level rates this software engineer role Little AI ●○○○: aI is not part of the work.
Pay on this posting starts in line with the typical software engineer posting on Level.
This is listed as a remote role.
Level classes it as a lead role.
Snout has 11 other open roles on Level.

AI in this role

🐶 Our mission

Every pet should get the care they need, regardless of cost. Vet med prices are up 40% since 2020, and pet owners are stuck having to pick between their bank account and furry friend. At Snout, we aim to solve this by enabling clinics to offer pet wellness plans, that actually work.

🚀 The opportunity

Snout is one of the fastest growing wellness plan providers in the veterinary space, trusted by clinics across the U.S. We’re a small but mighty startup team of <50 employees. We’re on the lookout for an experienced and remote Principal Software Engineer based in the USA or Ontario, Canada to help build and maintain our web platform and portal.

💻 The role

As a Principal Engineer at Snout, you'll set technical direction across our platform — web apps, payments, and data systems — while still writing code every day. You'll operate across teams, shaping how we build as much as what we build. Quality, security, and performance are first-class concerns, not afterthoughts.
Your impact will be felt immediately and broadly. You'll lead spirited technical debates to establish product and technical plans, then take ownership to deliver on those plans quickly and effectively. You'll work alongside experienced partners who have your back, pair regularly, and help take the product to the moon. As Snout grows, your role will grow with it.
If you're a collaborative engineer who thrives in a small team environment, loves solving real problems for real users, and wants to make veterinary care accessible to everyone — we want to hear from you.
Snout is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We know that great candidates may not check every box — and that’s okay. If you're excited about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply if you meet at least 75% of “what we’re looking for” including the first bullet point. If you need any accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know — we’re happy to support you.

🛠 What you’ll do

Define architectural direction and technical standards across the platform
Build, ship, and maintain features across the full stack
Shape product direction alongside leadership — you're a partner, not a passenger
Identify and drive cross-team initiatives that improve how we build
Make multiple teams better through design reviews, tooling, and mentorship
Own DevOps, infrastructure, and deployment pipelines
Turn ambiguous problems into plans others can execute

💡What we're looking for

8+ years of software development experience in a production setting
Broad technical fluency across the stack — JavaScript/TypeScript, Node, React, PostgreSQL, AWS, Linux — with depth where it counts
Systems thinking: you design for the whole, not just the part in front of you
Track record of improving how an engineering organization operates — not just shipping features
Drives alignment across teams; writes compelling technical proposals
Comfortable with ambiguity at the organizational level — you don't wait for requirements, you create clarity
Deep knowledge of HTTP, networking, and infrastructure
Strong product sense — you understand the business, the users, and the trade-offs

🌟 What will make you stand out

Experience building and scaling SaaS products
Background working at early-stage startups (Series A/B)
Familiarity with healthcare or veterinary technology
Experience working cross-functionally with non-technical teams
Track record of owning features end-to-end from concept to production
Passion for pets and understanding of the veterinary space

💖 Why you should join Snout

Fast growing, venture capital backed technology company focused on improving access to veterinary care
Ability to have a meaningful impact from Day 1, where your voice and opinion matters
Unlimited potential to grow in your career, learn and expand your skillsets
Collaborative, flexible, and friendly culture

❌ Why this role might not be a fit for you

You don’t live near an airport or have the flexibility to travel quarterly
A fast-moving, startup culture feels overwhelming to you and you aren’t comfortable with ambiguity and figuring things out as you go
You prefer working independently in your own area rather than collaborating daily with the team online or in person
You're uncomfortable with spirited technical debates or having your ideas challenged

💸 Compensation

$160 000 - $200 000 base salary

⚕️Benefits

Day 1 medical/dental/vision benefits
Flexible time off + 11 Snout calendar holidays
Paid parental leave

How we rate this

Principal Software Engineer at Snout rates 27 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Little AI. AI is not part of the work.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.