Principal Software Engineer
Role details
Job location
Tech stack
Job description
We are looking for a Principal Software Engineer who can provide technical leadership across the full software development lifecycle. You will help shape engineering standards, guide architectural decisions and support the delivery of reliable enterprise applications.
This is a senior individual contributor position. You will remain closely involved in software design and development while mentoring engineers and working with product, cloud, security and delivery teams.
Why Work With UsThe Environment
Our Edinburgh office provides a professional and collaborative setting with convenient access to the city centre and public transport. We support focused individual work as well as regular collaboration between engineering and product teams.
Technical Influence
You will have a meaningful role in defining architecture, development practices and engineering standards. Your recommendations will influence how products are designed, built, tested and maintained.
Modern Technology
Our platforms use modern cloud infrastructure, application programming interfaces, automated deployment pipelines and contemporary software development frameworks. We select technologies based on performance, security, maintainability and business requirements.
Professional Growth
You will receive support for relevant training, professional certifications, technical conferences and continued development in software architecture and engineering leadership.
Key ResponsibilitiesSoftware Architecture
Design scalable and maintainable software solutions that meet technical, security and commercial requirements.
Hands-on Development
Write, review and improve production-quality code across important applications and shared services.
Technical Leadership
Provide guidance to software engineers and help teams make effective decisions on architecture, frameworks, testing and implementation.
Engineering Standards
Establish and maintain standards for coding, documentation, testing, security, performance and system reliability.
System Modernisation
Assess existing platforms and recommend practical approaches for modernisation, cloud migration and technical debt reduction.
Code Quality
Lead code reviews and promote clean, consistent and maintainable development practices across engineering teams.
Cross-functional Collaboration
Work with product managers, business analysts, cloud engineers, cyber security specialists and other stakeholders to translate requirements into technical solutions.
Delivery Support
Identify technical risks, resolve complex engineering issues and support the reliable delivery of software releases.
Mentoring
Support the professional development of junior, mid-level and senior engineers through coaching, technical reviews and knowledge sharing.
Requirements
At least 7 years of professional software engineering experience, including substantial responsibility for system design or technical leadership.
Software Development
Strong experience with one or more modern programming languages such as Java, C Sharp, Python, JavaScript, TypeScript or Go.
Architecture
Demonstrated experience designing distributed systems, cloud applications, enterprise platforms or service-oriented architectures.
Cloud Platforms
Practical experience with Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services or Google Cloud Platform.
Development Practices
Strong knowledge of software testing, version control, continuous integration, continuous deployment and secure development practices.
Problem Solving
The ability to analyse complex technical problems and recommend solutions that balance quality, cost, performance and delivery timelines.
Communication
Clear written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain technical decisions to both engineering and non-technical stakeholders.
Leadership Style
A collaborative and practical approach to technical leadership. You should be comfortable influencing teams without relying on formal management authority.
Education
A degree in computer science, software engineering or a related discipline is preferred. Equivalent professional experience will also be considered.
Benefits & conditions
Pay: £64,498.00-£85,000.00 per year