Principal Engineer - Backend Distributed Systems

CLEAR, a leading identity platform with over 27+ million members worldwide, is seeking a Principal Engineer to lead their backend distributed systems initiatives for the Aviation and Travel teams. This role combines hands-on technical expertise with strategic leadership, focusing on building and scaling high-performance, reliable systems.

The ideal candidate will be instrumental in shaping the technical direction of CLEAR's platform, working on critical systems that enhance the customer journey from home to gate. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams including Product Management, Security, and Operations, while providing technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams.

As a Principal Engineer, you'll be responsible for solving complex technical challenges, defining long-term technical strategy, and ensuring architectural decisions align with business goals. Your expertise in distributed systems, coupled with strong communication skills, will be crucial in driving engineering excellence across the organization.

The role offers an opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in the travel and identity verification space, making a direct impact on millions of users' experiences. You'll be part of a mission-driven company that values innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence, while enjoying competitive benefits and a supportive work environment focused on personal and professional growth.

If you're passionate about distributed systems, have a proven track record of technical leadership, and want to be part of transforming how people experience travel and identity verification, this role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact at scale.