Principal Engineering

Our MissionTo craft authentic streetwear built on respect, loyalty, and trust for the culture.Our VisionTo be the global leader in streetwear essentials, driven by unfiltered authenticity, timeless silhouettes, and relentless innovation.About Shaka WearFounded in South Los Angeles in 2004, Shaka Wear is a premium streetwear essential brand built on authenticity, quality, and culture. From our world-famous heavyweight tees to our growing collection of streetwear staples, we don't just make clothing. We make a statement. We're rooted in the spirit of LA and driven by a belief that true style lives in the basics. As we continue to grow, we're building a team that shares our passion for culture and our hunger to push the brand to the next level.________________________________________About the RoleWe are looking for a Principal Engineer who can own the technical direction of our engineering function end to end. This is not a purely managerial role. You will be hands-on building systems, leading a team of three engineers, driving AI and automation initiatives, and keeping our e-commerce and operational infrastructure running at a high level. Critically, you understand how a business actually works. You know the difference between a PO and an invoice, how inventory flows, and how ops, finance, and merchandising teams think. You will use that fluency to build systems that solve real problems, not just technical ones.Objectives of the RoleAI & Machine LearningDesign and ship AI-powered product features across our e-commerce platformLead LLM integration and prompt engineering efforts to automate workflows and enhance customer experienceBuild and maintain data pipelines that support analytics, personalization, and decision-makingIdentify and implement AI/ML integrations that create meaningful operational leverageEngineering LeadershipLead, mentor, and develop a team of three software engineersSet technical standards, code review practices, and development workflowsDrive architecture decisions and ensure systems are built to scaleBalance hands-on contribution with team leadership, staying close to the codeE-Commerce & Business OperationsOwn the health and performance of our Shopify-based e-commerce platformManage and improve integrations across fulfillment, inventory, and order management systemsSupport supply chain and vendor systems, ensuring tech keeps pace with how the business moves productWork directly with ops, sales, merchandising, and finance teams to understand how the business runs and build tools that support itOwn integrations that connect our tech stack across wholesale, retail, logistics, and financial reportingSupport IT and internal tooling needs across the organizationInfrastructure & DevOpsManage cloud infrastructure, CI/CD pipelines, and deployment practicesEnsure system reliability, uptime, and performance across all environmentsIdentify and address technical debt before it becomes a problemMaintain security and compliance standards across all systemsRequired Skills & Qualifications7+ years of software engineering experience with a strong backend and systems foundationHands-on experience building and deploying AI-powered features and LLM integrationsExperience managing or mentoring engineers, with the ability to lead without losing technical depthDeep understanding of how a product or retail business operates end to end, from supply chain and inventory to sales, fulfillment, and financeSolid understanding of e-commerce platforms, ideally Shopify, and the integrations that surround themProven ability to work across non-technical teams and translate business needs into technical solutionsCloud infrastructure experience (AWS, GCP, or Azure) and comfort owning DevOps practicesStrong instincts for system design, API architecture, and building for scaleA bias for action and ownership, you see problems and fix themPreferred Technical ExperienceExperience in retail, apparel, or consumer brand environmentsFamiliarity with wholesale and retail operations, vendor systems, or ERP integrationsBackground in data engineering, analytics pipelines, or financial reporting toolsCompensation & BenefitsCompetitive salary commensurate with experienceHealth, dental, and vision insurancePaid time off and holidays401(k) planEmployee discount on Shaka Wear productsOur CultureAt Shaka Wear, we move fast, think big, and take pride in what we build.We're a growing team and your work will have real, visible impact from day one. We value people who perform, take ownership, and bring genuine passion to what they do. The environment is creative, street culture-driven, and entrepreneurial. We don't do things the conventional way, and that's by design.Our core values:Authenticity: We stay true to our roots and our culture in everything we do.Quality over everything: We don't accept anything less than the best, and neither should you.Loyalty: To the culture, to our team, and to the people who wear our brand.Trust & Integrity: We do what we say and say what we mean, every time.Hustle and ownership: If you can perform, you'll be rewarded. We trust people who take initiative.