Principal Software Development Engineer, Navigation

Mapbox, the leading real-time location platform, is seeking a Principal Software Development Engineer to lead their Navigation team. This role combines technical leadership with hands-on engineering, focusing on shaping the future of navigation products that serve major automotive partners like BMW, Toyota, and GM.

The position requires an experienced leader with 15+ years of engineering expertise to guide a global team of approximately 80 engineers. You'll be responsible for developing and executing the technical vision for Navigation products, working directly with cross-functional teams and executive leadership. The role involves building large-scale distributed systems, driving innovation in navigation technology, and delivering solutions for consumer, automotive, and logistics verticals.

Key responsibilities include setting the technical roadmap, mentoring teams, collaborating across departments, and engaging directly with customers. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in distributed systems, cloud services, and various programming languages including C/C++, Python, JavaScript, and TypeScript. They should also demonstrate strong leadership abilities, excellent communication skills, and a proven track record of bringing successful products to market.

The position offers competitive compensation ranging from $212,075 to $286,925 for most US locations, comprehensive benefits including healthcare and parental leave, and the opportunity to work in a flexible, remote environment. This role is perfect for someone passionate about transforming customer experiences through innovative navigation solutions while leading a diverse, globally distributed team.

Working at Mapbox means joining a company that values creative problem-solving, continuous learning, and diversity in all its forms. The Navigation team has launched groundbreaking products like MapGPT and Mapbox for EV, and continues to revolutionize in-vehicle navigation experiences with 3D styling and advanced features.