Trainee Principal Java Software Engineer Jobs in Michigan

As a Principal Engineer within Client Experience (CX), you'll help shape and deliver Rocket's vision for seamless, end-to-end digital journeys for millions of clients across the homeownership lifecycle. The CX vertical unites world-class product managers, engineers, and designers to power all of Rocket's client-facing digital products-including RocketMortgage.com, Rocket.com, Digital Applications, Origination, Servicing & Loyalty, and our mobile app experiences.
Client Experience owns every interaction and impression a client has with Rocket across web and mobile. Our teams architect high-velocity digital storefronts, empower first-class mobile and web experiences, and build powerful engagement and conversion platforms that drive Rocket's business. We supercharge digital origination, leverage AI and champion seamless movement between products to help clients achieve their homeownership goals-delivering trust, ease, and innovation every step of the way.
You'll work among expert peers and visionary leaders, defining technical standards, mentoring engineering talent, and guiding the evolution of next-generation client platforms. With a focus on TypeScript/JavaScript, React, Next.js, GraphQL, robust APIs, and developer ecosystems, you will help amplify Rocket's digital transformation and create delightful, scalable experiences that set the industry standard for client engagement and satisfaction.
Principal Engineers provide cross-organizational technical leadership, operating across multiple divisions and domains to drive enterprise-wide technology standards, build advanced platforms, and accelerate internal transformation. As key thought leaders, Principal Engineers define and influence technical strategy, shape engineering culture, and represent engineering in executive-level discussions. They introduce and scale innovative solutions, including AI and automation throughout the software development lifecycle, that materially impact the company and industry.
About the Role

• Define vision and lead architecture for major systems and platforms, ensuring scalability and future readiness.
• Guide technology adoption, focusing on large-scale Web & API architectures.
• Build and maintain enterprise developer tools, robust CI/CD practices, and platform engineering standards.
• Integrate and advocate use of AI-enabled coding/automation tools throughout the SDLC.
• Mentor engineers and technical leaders, strengthening technical excellence across the company.
• Influence business/product direction through deep technical expertise and cross-functional collaboration.
• Act as thought leader via presentations, documentation, open source, or technical communities.

About You
Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced expertise with TypeScript/JavaScript, React, Next.js, GraphQL, large-scale APIs, developer tooling, and AWS.
• Experience integrating AI/automation into the SDLC using modern tools.
• Track record of technical leadership and mentoring with company-wide impact.
• Excellent communicator, comfortable working across engineering and executive teams.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in Computer Science or related field.
• 12+ years in professional software engineering & architecture roles.
• Experience building or shaping developer platforms/ecosystems.

What you'll get
Our team members fuel our strategy, innovation and growth, so we ensure the health and well-being of not just you, but your family, too! We go above and beyond to give you the support you need on an individual level and offer all sorts of ways to help you live your best life. We are proud to offer eligible team members perks and health benefits that will help you have peace of mind. Simply put: We've got your back. Check out our full list of Benefits and Perks.
On-Call Expectations
This role may include participation in an on-call rotation to support production systems and ensure service reliability. On-call responsibilities may include coverage during nights and weekends. If applicable, frequency and scheduling will be determined by team needs and communicated accordingly.
About us
Rocket is a Detroit-based company made up of businesses that provide simple, fast and trusted digital solutions for complex transactions. The name comes from our flagship business, now known as Rocket Mortgage®, which was founded in 1985. Today, we're a publicly traded company involved in many different industries, including mortgages, fintech, real estate and more. We're insistently different in how we look at the world and are committed to an inclusive workplace where every voice is heard. Apply today to join a team that offers career growth, amazing benefits and the chance to work with leading industry professionals.
This job description is an outline of the primary responsibilities of this position and may be modified at the discretion of the company at any time. Decisions related to employment are not based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. The company provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations in completing the application and/or participating in the application process should contact a member of the Human Resources team, at Careers@Rocket.com.
The compensation information below is provided in compliance with all applicable job posting disclosure requirements. The compensation for this position is $169,500.00-$366,000.00. The position may also be eligible for an annual bonus, incentives, and other employment-related benefits including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and vision benefits, 401K retirement plan, and paid-time off. More information regarding these benefits and others can be found here. The information regarding compensation and other benefits included in this paragraph is the company's current, good faith estimate at the time of posting. [Compensation and benefits are subject to modification from time to time as the Company, in its sole and exclusive discretion, deems appropriate.] The Company may determine during its future reviews of the proposed compensation and benefits provided for this position, that the compensation and benefits for such position should be reduced. In no event will the Company reduce the compensation for the position to a level below the applicable jurisdictional minimum wage rate for the position. Los Angeles County and San Francisco Candidates only: qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment per the Fair Chance Ordinance and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.