Principal Software Developer

ABOUT THE COURT

Los Angeles Superior Court is the largest unified trial court in the United States. Its 580 judges and commissioners work in one of the 36 facilities within the Court's 12 judicial districts and are supported by more than 5,000 full-time Court employees. The Court has an annual budget of more than $1 billion. Located in Southern California, Los Angeles County is geographically one of the nation's largest counties, covering 4,752 square miles and, with over 10 million residents, is also one of its most populous counties.

ABOUT THE POSITION
Are you looking to shape enterprise applications at an advanced strategic level? As a Principal Software Developer, you’ll lead innovation through architecture refinement, full-stack development, and forward-thinking software integrations. This role is about designing scalable solutions, defining industry-leading security and testing practices, and mentoring teams. You won’t just build applications—you’ll set the technological direction, drive AI adoption, enhance user experience, and establish coding standards that elevate the entire development process. If you thrive in high-impact decision-making, enjoy optimizing workflows at an organizational level, and have a passion for guiding teams in cutting-edge development, this role offers the perfect blend of technical leadership and innovation.

Key responsibilities:

• Enterprise Software Architecture & Development – Design, develop, and refine high-quality enterprise applications with a strong focus on scalability, security, reusability, and performance optimization.
• Strategic Technical Leadership & Innovation – Evaluate and integrate emerging technologies, including AI, to enhance system functionality and maintain a competitive edge in software development.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Influence – Partner with infrastructure, database, and applications teams to align development practices with organizational objectives and industry best practices.
• Security & Reliability Enforcement – Establish and promote rigorous security protocols, quality assurance methodologies, and testing strategies to ensure the reliability and protection of enterprise applications.
• CI/CD Pipeline Optimization & DevOps Best Practices – Lead the implementation and refinement of Azure DevOps workflows, automation strategies, and CI/CD processes for streamlined software delivery.
• Coding Standards & Engineering Excellence – Define and uphold best practices for coding, software architecture, and system integrations, conducting code reviews to maintain high development standards.
• Technical Mentorship & Knowledge-Sharing – Provide expert technical leadership, supporting development teams in adopting best practices and innovative software design methodologies.

For a detailed job description, click here. Please note the requirements in the job description may vary from the requirements in this bulletin.
    
TELEWORK OPPORTUNITIES

This position is eligible for telework following an initial training period.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

To qualify, you must meet one of the following options at the time of application:

• OPTION I: 9+ years of experience in software development.
• OPTION II: Bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science, management information systems or related field -AND- 5+ years of experience in software development.
• OPTION III: Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the qualifications. 

Note: Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will possess the following desirable qualifications:

• Expertise in designing and developing high-quality enterprise applications, ensuring efficiency, scalability, reusability, and security.
• Ability to work effectively with technical teams, including infrastructure, database, and applications groups to optimize system performance.
• Expert understanding of security frameworks and testing methodologies.
• Experience in evaluating and implementing new technologies, including AI, with a proven track record of successful integration.
• Strong background in designing intuitive user interfaces, improving navigation, and enhancing functionality for superior user experience.
• Experience guiding teams in best practices and advanced software design principles. 
• Experience in Agile/Scrum environments, contributing to sprint planning, backlog grooming, and iterative software delivery.
• Experience in the following technologies:
  • .NET and C#
  • Angular and front-end frameworks
  • Azure DevOps
  • Azure CI/CD

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT

Qualifying evaluation of experience based upon submitted application materials and supplemental questionnaire. Applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be placed on an eligible list which will remain valid for up to six (6) months and may be invited to participate in an oral interview. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

For general application information, please access the Online Employment Application Guide. Los Angeles Superior Court reserves the right to verify all submitted documentation prior to appointment.

Applicants with disabilities who require reasonable accommodation to participate in the recruitment process can contact the email address provided below.

Los Angeles Superior Court is an equal opportunity employer.

Questions regarding this posting may be e-mailed to MPenate@lacourt.org.