Principal Software Engineer - Data Discovery and Removal Automation Team (Node.js, US-based) at Optery (W22) $150K - $195K Opt out software that removes your private info from the internet US / Remote (US) Full-time US citizen/visa only 11+ years About Optery Now is a great time to join Optery. Optery is profitable with $XXM annual revenue, and we 3x-ed sales last year. Our product was awarded “Editors’ Choice” by PCMag as the most outstanding in the personal data removal category for the 4th year in a row (2022 - 2025), we received the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards for Attack Surface Management, Digital Footprint Management, and Employee Privacy Protection for the 2nd year in a row (2024 - 2025), we received the Top InfoSec Innovator Award and Best Service for Attack Surface Management by Cyber Defense Magazine in 2025, Fortress Cybersecurity Award for Privacy Enhancing Technologies in 2025, Fast Company awarded Optery Next Big Things in Tech for Security and Privacy, Optery was ranked the #1 most effective of all personal data removal services tested in 2024 study by Consumer Reports, Optery was named one of Business Insider’s Top 30 Future Unicorns of 2025, and we’re changing the game in the world of consumer data in a way that puts individuals in control. Optery is automated opt out software, and we serve individuals, families and businesses. Our mission is to empower people to take control of their personal data, and we have a vision for a safer world through data privacy. Optery is the first company to offer a free report with dozens of screenshots showing where your personal information is being posted by hundreds of data brokers online (https://app.optery.com/signup), and the first to offer IT teams a completely self-service platform for finding and removing employee personal information from the web (https://business.optery.com/signup). Optery subscription plans automatically remove customers from these sites, clearing your home address, phone number, email and other personal information from the Internet at scale. The service is used to prevent threats like phishing, social engineering, identity theft, harassment and physical violence. Optery has completed its AICPA SOC 2, Type II security certification, and distinguishes itself with unparalleled search technology, data removal automation, visual evidence-based before-and-after reporting, data broker coverage, and API integration options. Hundreds of thousands of people rely on Optery to prevent attacks and keep their personal information off the Internet. Optery has raised $9M+ in funding from world-class investors such as Y Combinator, Alumni Ventures, Flex Capital, Global Founders Capital, Goodwater Capital, Pioneer Fund, Soma Capital, TRAC, Tribe Capital, Uncorrelated Ventures. Optery is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, but operates as a fully-remote global team. About the role Skills: Node.js, Django, Kubernetes, MongoDB, Python, RabbitMQ, Redis, Kafka, SQL, Elasticsearch, PostgreSQL The Role We are seeking an experienced Principal Software Engineer (Node.js) to drive the technical vision and execution of our Data Discovery and Removal Automation Team, responsible for developing automation workflows and web crawlers at scale. This is a high-impact role that requires deep technical expertise in Node.js and the ability to architect and optimize high-scale automation solutions. As a Principal Engineer and Individual Contributor, you will work closely with leadership to define strategy, own architecture, set technical direction, and ensure technical excellence. You will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining scalable, secure, and efficient automation solutions. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to explore and integrate generative AI technologies to enhance automation workflows, enabling greater scalability and efficiency. This is a fully remote position, based in the United States. Responsibilities Architect and develop scalable automation systems, web crawlers, and data-processing pipelines. Provide technical direction to the Automation Team, setting best practices for development, security, and performance. Collaborate with product and engineering teams to define roadmap and technical direction. Perform code reviews, mentor junior engineers, and foster a culture of high-quality software development. Optimize existing systems for performance, reliability, and scalability. Stay up to date on cutting-edge web automation and security trends. Lead troubleshooting efforts for complex technical issues and system failures. Required Qualifications 8+ years of experience as a software engineer, with at least 3+ years of hands-on experience in Node.js. 2+ years of experience in a principal software engineer role, guiding architecture decisions. Expertise in building web crawlers, scrapers, and automation tools. Strong experience with Puppeteer for web automation and scraping. Strong experience with asynchronous programming, event-driven architecture, and message brokers (e.g., RabbitMQ, Kafka). Proficiency with databases such as PostgreSQL, SQL, and NoSQL technologies (e.g., Redis, Elasticsearch, MongoDB). Hands-on experience with Kubernetes and cloud services (AWS, GCP, or Azure). Deep understanding of security best practices for handling sensitive user data. Experience designing scalable and distributed systems. Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work autonomously. Bonus Qualifications Experience with generative AI technologies and using them to enhance workflow automation. Experience in the consumer privacy or consumer data industries. Familiarity with Python and Django. Location This is a remote-first position, based in the United States. Optery is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, but operates as a fully remote global team. Compensation & Benefits $150K - $195K Competitive equity Health, dental, and vision insurance 401k program with employer match Paid time off policy Stipend for home office setup Equal Opportunity Optery values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. Optery does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. Technology Backend: Python / Django / nodeJS Frontend: React Hosted on AWS / K8S (EKS) / Grafana / Loki