Principal Software Engineer

We're looking for a Principal Software Engineer to provide senior technical leadership across our engineering teams. Someone who brings deep architectural thinking, a bias for shipping, and the credibility to raise the bar for everyone around them.

This is a hands-on role. You'll design and build complex, scalable systems while setting the technical standards that shape how we work. You'll influence engineering direction at an organisational level, champion best practices, and help grow the engineers around you. Not by managing, but by leading through craft and example. If you're energised by hard technical problems, care deeply about code quality, and want your work to have real impact beyond your own output, this role was built for you.

This is a hybrid role based out of our Birmingham HQ. There's no fixed attendance requirement, but we do value being present when it matters: whether that's for key collaborations, team moments, or important decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and architecture of complex software systems
• Set and uphold technical standards, coding practices, and quality benchmarks
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to development teams
• Contribute hands-on to the design, development, and review of production code
• Work closely with product managers, designers, and other stakeholders to translate requirements into technical solutions
• Mentor and support engineers at different stages of their careers
• Resolve complex technical challenges and provide direction on critical issues
• Drive continuous improvement through modernisation, automation, and adoption of best practice

About You

• Extensive experience in software engineering within complex environments
• Strong proficiency in languages such as C++, Java, Python, or .NET
• Proven experience designing distributed systems, microservices, and cloud-based solutions
• Solid understanding of system design, automated testing, and modern development practices
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
• Experience influencing technical direction and leading engineering discussions
• Clear communication skills and the ability to work effectively across technical and non-technical teams