Principal Software Engineer

About The RoleTeam - UK Health, Adviser & Employer EngineeringWorking Pattern - Hybrid - 2 days per week in the Vitality London, Bournemouth or Stockport Office. Full-time hours per week. We are happy to discuss flexible working!Top 3 skills needed for this roleStrategic Enterprise Technology LeadershipRecognised Java Engineering ExpertiseAdvanced Architecture & Systems Integration CapabilityWhat this role is all aboutWe’re looking for a Principal Software Engineer to join Vitality’s Engineering function, providing technical leadership across complex enterprise platforms and customer-facing solutions. This is a highly influential role responsible for shaping engineering standards, driving architectural decisions, leading large-scale technical initiatives and ensuring the successful delivery of integrated software solutions that support critical business outcomes. The role operates across multiple teams and works closely with senior stakeholders, architects and third-party partners to deliver technology that enables seamless customer journeys and long-term business growth.Key Actions Lead the design, development and delivery of full stack software solutions. Provide technical leadership, shaping engineering standards, architecture and best practice. Solve complex technical challenges and improve the reliability, scalability and performance of key platforms. Work closely with engineers, architects, product teams and business stakeholders to deliver customer-focused solutions. Drive continuous improvement through modern engineering practices, tooling and automation. Coach and mentor engineers, helping to grow technical capability across the organisation. Explore opportunities to use AI-powered tools and automation to improve engineering productivity and quality. Stay curious about emerging technologies, bringing new ideas and improvements into the team. What do you need to thrive? Strong experience building and supporting enterprise-scale full stack applications using Java. Experience with AWS and modern cloud-native development.

Good knowledge of PostgreSQL, SQL and data-driven application design. Experience integrating APIs, services and enterprise platforms. Knowledge of event-driven architectures and technologies such as Kafka. Strong understanding of software design principles, DevOps, CI/CD and container technologies such as Kubernetes and Docker. A passion for continuous learning, innovation and the practical use of AI-assisted development tools.

So, what’s in it for you?Bonus Schemes - A bonus that regularly rewards you for your performanceA pension of up to 12%- We will match your contributions up to 6% of your salaryOur award-winning Vitality health insurance - With its own set of rewards and benefitsLife Assurance - Four times annual salaryThese are just some of the many perks that we offer! To view the extensive range of benefits we offer, please visit our careers page. Fantastic Benefits. Exciting rewards. Great career opportunities! If you are successful in your application and join us at Vitality, this is our promise to you, we will:Help you to be the healthiest you’ve ever beenCreate an environment that embraces you as you are and enables you to be your best selfGive you flexibility on how, where and when you workHelp you advance your career by playing you to your strengthsGive you a voice to help our business grow and make Vitality a great place to beGive you the space to try, fail and learnProvide a healthy balance of challenge and supportRecognise and reward you with a competitive salary and amazing benefitsBe there for you when you need usProvide opportunities for you to be a force for good in societyWe commit to all these things because we want you to feel that you belong, and are supported to be happy and healthy.About YouAbout UsWe’re incredibly proud to be recognised for the culture we’ve created - recently being named one of Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work 2026, and in 2024 we were delighted to be awarded Top 10 Places to Work in the Sunday Times Awards. Vitality is a multi-award-winning UK insurance brand, here to make the world a healthier, happier place.

We’ve been a purpose and values-driven business from day 1- long before it became fashionable. Our core purpose is to make people healthier and enhance protect their lives. Vitality pioneered shared-value insurance. We incentivise people to live healthier longer lives - they benefit, our business benefits, and society benefits. We’re successful because we attract, develop, and retain the best people - and because we care.

Plus, you get to join our 1.7+ million members with access to our unique health insurance and healthy living programme. Just to make sure you know our products inside and out.