McKinsey & Company

Do you want to work on complex and pressing challenges—the kind that bring together curious, ambitious, and determined leaders who strive to become better every day? If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place.

Your Impact

We are seeking a Principal Software Engineer with expertise in Python, API development, large language models (LLMs), SQL databases, and cloud technologies to join our global generative AI team. As part of McKinsey’s Tech Ecosystem function, you will contribute to developing and delivering cutting-edge technology solutions for internal use, leveraging the firm’s data to create impactful AI-driven applications. Collaborating with engineers, designers, and product managers, you will play a key role in application development, driving innovation, and ensuring our platforms remain at the forefront of generative AI advancements.

In this role, you will lead a team focused on building and maintaining applications using Python, React, and Next.js, while integrating industry-leading LLMs to enhance data retrieval and synthesis. Your responsibilities will include writing, testing, debugging, and maintaining high-quality code, as well as identifying and resolving technical challenges. Staying current with the rapidly evolving generative AI landscape, you will ensure our products and platforms remain innovative and competitive. Working with a distributed team across North America, Europe, and Latin America, you will foster collaboration and deliver impactful AI solutions that advance the firm’s capabilities in data retrieval and generative AI.

Your Growth

You are someone who thrives in a high-performance environment, bringing a growth mindset and entrepreneurial spirit to tackle meaningful challenges that have a real impact.

In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we’ll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities to help you quickly broaden your expertise, grow into a well-rounded professional, and contribute to work that truly makes a difference.

When you join us, you will have:

• Continuous learning: Our learning and apprenticeship culture, backed by structured programs, is all about helping you grow while creating an environment where feedback is clear, actionable, and focused on your development. The real magic happens when you take the input from others to heart and embrace the fast-paced learning experience, owning your journey.
• A voice that matters: From day one, we value your ideas and contributions. You’ll make a tangible impact by offering innovative ideas and practical solutions. We not only encourage diverse perspectives, but they are critical in driving us toward the best possible outcomes.
• Global community: With colleagues across 65+ countries and over 100 different nationalities, our firm’s diversity fuels creativity and helps us come up with the best solutions. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from exceptional colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Exceptional benefits: In addition to a competitive salary (based on your location, experience, and skills), we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, mental health, and vision coverage for you, your spouse/partner, and children.

Your qualifications and skills

• Software Engineer with preferably 9+ years of experience
• Proficiency in product architecture, end-to-end product journey, integration patterns, security
• Strong programming skills in Python
• Expertise in React and NextJS
• Expertise with SQL databases, particularly PostgreSQL or cloud equivalent such as Amazon RDS
• Experience utilizing LLMs and prompt engineering
• Experience with CI/CD pipeline setup and management
• Proficiency in using AWS cloud platform for deploying and managing applications, particularly AWS ECS
• Proficiency with GitHub for version control and code collaboration
• Knowledge of containerization
• Strong conceptual problem-solving
• Ownership mindset
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment

Please review the additional requirements regarding essential job functions of McKinsey colleagues.

FOR U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

FOR NON-U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. For additional details regarding our global EEO policy and diversity initiatives, please visit our McKinsey Careers and Diversity & Inclusion sites.