Consumers Energy

Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.

Location: This position is onsite minimally 3 days a week at One Energy Plaza located in Jackson, MI. The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate (relocation package is available for those that qualify).

• The interview process for this position will consist of both a panel interview as well as technical interview/assessment
• This position is not open to sponsorship

General Summary of Job Responsibilities

The Applications and Analytics team is at the heart of innovation, powering Michigan’s future by crafting cutting-edge digital solutions that transform how our customers and communities experience energy. Guided by our Digital First strategy, we harness modern technical practices and agile methodologies to create intuitive, impactful software that drives measurable business value and enhances user experiences. Join a dynamic team where collaboration, creativity, and impact converge!

We partner closely with business teams to uncover digital opportunities, prioritize high-impact outcomes, and deliver trustworthy, user-friendly technology. By embracing our CE Way principles—engaging on solutions, illuminating priorities, and minimizing waste—we build systems that are simple, helpful, and valuable. If you’re passionate about innovation, community, and shaping a sustainable energy future, come grow with us at Consumers Energy!

The Principal Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications and systems at an expert level. This role requires a deep understanding of programming languages, development methodologies, and emerging technologies to create scalable, high-performance solutions that align with business objectives. The Principal Software Engineer plays a critical leadership role in shaping technical direction, mentoring engineers across experience levels, and driving industry innovation while ensuring system architecture and best practices are continuously refined and optimized.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic guidance on improving quality throughout the software development lifecycle, implementing new best practices
• Define and maintain the vision for integrated solutions that optimize performance, scalability, security, and maintainability
• Drive the technical direction for integrated solutions, ensuring teams understand and implement best practices
• Collaborate with developers in an Agile environment, applying clean coding principles
• Apply advanced architectural principles to design and evolve system structures
• Provide direct technical velocity where necessary, contributing hands-on expertise to critical projects
• Conduct paired coding, mentoring, and interviewing to support talent development and growth
• Actively mentor and coach engineers in clean coding techniques, Agile methodologies, and software craftsmanship
• Represent the company in industry forums and conferences, contributing thought leadership to the broader tech community
• Lead innovative initiatives and explore emerging technologies to enhance software solutions
• Other duties as assigned or may be necessary

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Ability to understand business needs, aligning technical solutions with departmental strategy, long-term vision, and enterprise architecture
• Executive presence with the ability to lead teams, drive technical direction, and influence stakeholders, while fostering collaboration across departments
• Excellent ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences, including senior leadership, and contribute to Agile and software craftsmanship communities through thought leadership
• Expertise in leveraging Lean Agile methodologies to enhance product delivery while evaluating and implementing best practices for decision-making and problem-solving
• Polyglot engineer with expertise in multiple programming languages, object-oriented programming, and functional paradigms
• Maintains a learning attitude, continuously improving technical and leadership skills
• Actively promotes collaboration, provides constructive feedback based on principles of craftsmanship, and ensures high-quality code across teams

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in computer, engineering or related discipline with seven (7) or more years of relevant coding experience
  • [OR] Associate's degree in computer, engineering or related discipline with nine (9) or more years of relevant coding experience
  • [OR] High School Diploma/GED with degree with eleven (11) or more years of relevant coding experience

Preferred Experience

One or more of the following skills will set you apart:

• Proven expertise in C# and .NET (Core, .NET 5)
• Proven expertise in front-end languages/frameworks (JavaScript, React, Next.js)
• Developed and managed full API lifecycle (design to retirement) strategy and implementation
• Skilled with testing tools (e.g., Bruno, Postman, Blazemeter, Jmeter, Certify)
• Managed complex Azure compute, networking, and storage solutions
• Led Generative AI strategy and implementation including governance and compliance plans
• Proven expertise in Azure DevOps, CLI, PowerShell, and CI/CD
• Collaborated or led enterprise-wide cloud initiatives
• Proven expertise in Python and experience with machine learning frameworks
• Implemented governance and monitoring strategies for large programs

Why should you join our team?

At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• 401k with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Up to 13 paid Holidays
• Paid time off
• Educational Assistance Program

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

We, at CMS Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don’t discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY, capABLE, Interfaith and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.