Principal Engineer-Annuity Platforms and Transformation

Description The Principal Engineer – Annuity Platforms & Transformation serves as technology people leader responsible for driving solution design, architecture and technology direction across Guardian's Annuity technology ecosystem. This role operates at the intersection of business strategy, architecture, engineering execution, and technology transformation, ensuring annuity platforms evolve to support Guardian's long-term growth objectives and 2030 technology strategy. The Principal Engineer will provide technical leadership and solutions across the full annuity value chain, including: New Business & Illustrations Policy Administration Servicing & Operations Distribution & Partner Integrations Data & Analytics Digital Experiences Integration Platforms & Enterprise Services This role partners closely with business leaders, product managers, enterprise architects, engineering teams, and external technology partners to define future-state solutions that are scalable, secure, resilient, and aligned with Guardian's strategic objectives. The successful candidate combines deep engineering expertise, annuity domain knowledge, and a passion for innovation to deliver sustainable technology solutions that improve customer experience, advisor experience, operational efficiency, and business agility. You are A hands-on technical leader and platform thinker with deep experience in insurance/annuity ecosystems. You are equally comfortable discussing enterprise architecture with senior technology leaders, reviewing detailed technical designs with engineers, and collaborating with business leaders to solve complex business challenges, while constantly focusing on innovation. You have a proven track record of modernizing enterprise platforms, influencing technical direction across multiple teams, and translating business capabilities into scalable technology solutions. You thrive in fast-paced transformation environments, balancing long-term architecture objectives with practical delivery and execution realities. You will Domain & Technical Leadership Purpose: Enable the end-to-end technology vision, architecture, and solution strategy across the annuity ecosystem Partner with enterprise and domain architects to establish future-state platform architecture and multi-year technology roadmaps. Define technology guardrails to ensure consistency across annuity platforms. Lead architecture and solution reviews, design governance, and critical technical decision-making Serve as a trusted technical advisor across annuity technology initiatives. Translate strategic business objectives into scalable, secure, and maintainable technology solutions. Ensure alignment between enterprise architecture direction and delivery execution. Identify opportunities to simplify applications, reduce redundancy, and improve platform interoperability. Distribution & Third-Party Ecosystem Enablement: Purpose: Build scalable technology capabilities that enable Guardian’s growth through third party distribution channels and strategic partnerships. Partner with third-party distributors, broker-dealers, RIAs, custodians, aggregators, and strategic technology providers to define and deliver scalable technology solutions. Collaborate with business and product teams to improve advisor onboarding, product access, servicing, and transaction capabilities. Define reusable API, event, and integration frameworks that enable efficient connectivity across Guardian and external partner ecosystems. Ensure third-party solutions are fully integrated with core annuity platforms and enterprise capabilities. Support Guardian's 2030 distribution strategy by creating scalable technology foundations that accelerate ecosystem growth and partner enablement. Drive platform strategies that enhance advisor, partner, and customer experiences while improving speed-to-market and operational effectiveness Annuity Modernization & Platform Transformation Purpose: Modernize the annuity technology while improving scalability, resiliency and operational efficiency. Provide technology solutions across policy administration, operations, servicing, distribution, and data platforms. Enable modernization of legacy annuity platforms and supporting ecosystems. Manage the Annuity workflow & Integrations Develop strategies for application rationalization, platform simplification, and technical debt reduction. Advance adoption of cloud-native, API-first, event-driven, and domain-driven architecture patterns. Drive engineering excellence through CI/CD, automation, observability, reliability engineering, and quality engineering practices. Evaluate emerging technologies and industry platforms to support future business growth. Influence technology investment decisions through data-driven recommendations aligned to business outcomes. Innovation & Engineering Excellence Purpose: Drive innovation and engineering maturity within the Annuity domain to enable Guardian’s long term Annuity growth strategy. Champion innovative technology solutions that support Guardian's long-term annuity growth strategy Explore and enable opportunities involving Artificial Intelligence, intelligent automation, advanced analytics, and emerging technology trends. Promote experimentation, continuous improvement, and modern engineering practices across annuity teams. Identify opportunities to accelerate delivery, improve operational efficiency, and enhance customer and advisor experiences through technology innovation. Foster engineering excellence by promoting reusable architecture patterns, modern development practices, and continuous learning. Engineering Leadership & Influence Provide technical mentorship and guidance to engineers, architects, and delivery teams. Communicate complex technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Influence technology investment decisions through data-driven recommendations and business outcome alignment QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering or related field. 10+ years of hands-on software engineering experience, including experience as a senior/lead engineer in enterprise platforms. Proven experience working on policy administration systems, preferably within Annuities and exposure to ALIP platforms. Strong experience in API-driven and event-driven architecture patterns, including orchestration and integration across distributed systems. Hands-on experience in building web-based applications with programming languages (Java, SpringBoot, .NET, Node JS), microservices architecture, event-driven architecture, cloud-native development on AWS. Experience developing and maintaining front-end applications using React, TypeScript and/or Next.js. Experience designing and implementing integrations utilizing SNS/SQS, Apache Kafka, S3 Experience designing intuitive, developer-friendly APIs using OpenAPI/Swagger specifications and industry standards such as ACORD, IRI Digital First, ACORD NGDS, and DTCC Insurance & Retirement Services frameworks. Strong experience with version control and CI/CD automation tools, including Git, Jenkins, GitHub Actions Experience implementing API security and access control using OAuth 2.0, JWT, and token‑based authentication Working experience with Splunk (logging), AppDynamics, JSON/XML, Caching, Performance Analysis & Profiling, Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to navigate ambiguity and drive practical, implementable solutions. Demonstrated ability to lead engineering teams, influence technical decisions, and collaborate effectively with architects, product, and business stakeholders. Experience working in large-scale transformation programs or platform migrations is highly preferred Proven track record of developing and supporting large scale business critical systems. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; solid understanding of coding aesthetics, able to review code, and provide suggestions Must be comfortable in a fast pace, changing environment where the majority of your teammates are remote and/or in different time zones. Jump in and hit the ground running with a positive attitude. Not easily deterred by ambiguity. Location/Travel Three days a week at a Guardian location: Bethlehem, PA, Holmdel, NJ; New York, NY, Occasional travel to other Guardian offices (0-10%) . Salary Range: $126,910.00 - $208,495.00 The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation. Our Promise At Guardian, you’ll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals. Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards. Inspire Well-Being As part of Guardian’s Purpose – to inspire well-being – we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues. Explore our company benefits at . Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most Company benefits. Equal Employment Opportunity Guardian is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Accommodations Guardian is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Guardian also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants (and employees) to accommodate the individual's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact . Please note: this resource is for accommodation requests only. For all other inquires related to your application and careers at Guardian, refer to the Guardian Careers site. Visa Sponsorship Guardian Life is not currently or in the foreseeable future sponsoring employment-based visas (e.g., such as an H-1B). In order to be a successful applicant, you must be legally authorized to work in the United States, without the need for employer sponsorship/support now or at any time in the future. Notice Regarding Guardian’s Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment As part of Guardian’s job application process, Guardian may use artificial intelligence tools (“AI Tools") to automate the sorting and filtering of information provided by applicants as part of its preliminary screening. 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