Principal Software Engineer

Opera is continuously looking for exceptional engineers to join our AI & Browsing Innovation group - a team shaping the next generation of intelligent, user-centric browsing experiences.

This position is reserved for world-class candidates who combine architectural vision with hands-on technical mastery. You’ll work on cutting-edge products like Opera Neon and the broader Opera browser family, impacting how millions of users experience the web every day.

In this role, you’ll drive the integration of AI and emerging technologies into large-scale consumer products, balancing strategy, system design, and practical implementation. This opportunity is ideal for forward-thinking engineers who want to define the future of the internet.

Role & Responsibilities:

• Lead the architectural strategy for AI-powered browsing technologies, ensuring scalable and future-ready solutions.
• Design and develop advanced systems that combine AI, personalization, and next-generation web capabilities.
• Contribute hands-on to system design, coding, prototyping, and optimization across multiple languages and frameworks.
• Collaborate with world-class teams - including researchers, engineers, and product leaders - to bring innovative ideas to life.
• Mentor and inspire teams by sharing best practices, fostering experimentation, and championing technical excellence.

• 10+ years of software engineering experience in senior, staff, or principal roles.
• Demonstrated ability to architect and deliver large-scale, AI-driven systems for consumer-facing products.
• Track record of shipping complex systems, not just designing them.
• Excellent programming skills, with a balance of strategic and hands-on technical skills.
• Deep understanding of AI / ML technologies (e.g., generative AI, multimodal AI, LLMs) and their practical applications.
• Proven leadership, mentoring, and communication skills, with experience driving innovation across teams.

• Experience with browser internals, search, or large-scale web infrastructure
• Academic background (PhD or equivalent experience) in computer science or a related field.
• Familiarity with multimodal AI (text, vision, speech) and real-time LLM integrations.
• Experience in AI-first organizations, consumer internet, or large-scale platform environments.

At Opera, you’ll join a diverse, inclusive, and forward-thinking team that values creativity, experimentation, and collaboration. We maintain a flat structure with short decision paths, encourage autonomy, and empower engineers to innovate freely. You’ll have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies, contribute to products used by hundreds of millions globally, and continuously develop your skills in an environment that values growth and excellence.

Interested?

We’d love to hear from you! This position is open on an ongoing basis, as we continuously seek top-tier talent to join our global engineering community. Applications are reviewed regularly - please submit your CV in English.

Have questions about our recruitment process or benefits? Visit our FAQ page for more details.