Software Engineering Principal

Job Req ID: 57724

Posting Date: 17th April 2026

Function: Security 

Location: Cheltenham

Salary: Competitive with great benefits 

About the role

The Software Engineering Principal leads the delivery and customer relationships for the end-to-end technical solutions in the GSS Enablers Engineering space, ensuring that customer requirements are successfully and effectively delivered by a first-class technical professional services team and NPS, mission impact and customer intimacy are maintained to the highest level.  

This job role is based in Cheltenham and is Monday-Friday 37.5 hours per week. You will need to be eligible to obtain DV Security Clearance before starting this role. You will need to have lived in the UK for 10+ years to be eligible.

What you’ll be doing

• Owns and leads the engineering organisation’s ability to deliver high quality outcomes, on time and on budget and implementing means of bringing measurability as well as  
  predictability to the engineering organisation’s capabilities.
• Operates as an SME within own field of expertise, setting the technical direction, and determining the optimum solution design for customers.
• Sets the technical direction regarding technical decisions, technology choices and architecture for a wide range of high-performance products, capabilities, and platforms, effectively  
  balancing short-term impact with long-term transformation.
• Champions the improvement of design and delivery capabilities for end-to-end technical solutions.
• Leads customer solution design engagement, overseeing statement of work creation, including any 3rd party deliverables.
• Drives the development of strong customer relationships at the senior level through regular engagement at a programme level, influencing the customer's service strategy and operational decisions.
• Drives consistency in architecture and technical processes, with the aim of reducing costs and increasing productivity.
• Leads the resolution of all solution issues, root cause analysis, troubleshooting and escalations.
• Leads the identification of potential risks and the implementation of controls and mitigations, ensuring compliance with relevant industry and company policies. 

Essential Skills / Experience

•  Encourages engineering excellence, leading by example as an SME practitioner in their own specialism.
• Sets strategy on process improvement and ways of working in order to deliver the best solutions to our customers.
• Works closely with customers, utilising relevant methodologies in collaboration between self-organising cross-functional teams.
• Develops compelling proposals and bid responses.
• Leverages diverse and inclusive thinking to maximise the effectiveness and success of teams, policies, practices and products.  
• Gathers information, and analyses different scenarios, assesses alternative resolutions and reaches a decision.
• Leads from the front on developing talent, ability and skills through commitment to learning and reflection.
• Influences processes that ensure the effective and efficient use of IT in ensuring Enablers and Engineering meets its goals
• Ensuring positive engagement, satisfaction and budgetary/resource management are all maintained to the highest standards.
• Deep understanding of the role of technology provider into the community (customer base)
• Maintains DV+ clearance
• Extensive experience leading end to end software/platforms/systems engineering teams
• Leading innovative and technically complex programme of work in a professional services environment where research and development is at the core of the projects. 

Desirable Skills / Experience

• Member of a professional body desirable e.g. BCS / IET / qualified CEng.

Our Package

Tailored benefits make a real difference. That’s why we offer a comprehensive range to support your growth, wellbeing, and everyday life. You can design the package to suit you and your lifestyle. Your core benefits include:

• Company car scheme (or cash alternative)
• 15% on target annual bonus
• Private healthcare for you and your family
• Access to an online private GP 24/7 for you and your immediate family
• Market-leading paid carers leave with up to 2 weeks off
• Equalised maternity, paternity, and adoption leave – 18 weeks’ full pay and 8 weeks’ half pay
  
• EE and BT products, including mobile and broadband
• Market leading Pension scheme – 5% from you and 10% from us
• Holiday purchase scheme
• You can select additional benefits, including healthcare, dental, gym memberships and more when you’re ready.

Security is one of the fastest growing parts of our global organisation. We are protecting our networks from more than 6,500 cyber attacks each day, investing over £40m in research each year - and in employing nearly 3,000 people, we’re also the largest private cyber employer in the UK.  With incredible opportunities to learn, develop and grow your skills, we’ll invest in you, nurture your potential and shape your future – whatever your background or experience. 
 
In today’s world, safe and secure digital connections have never been more vital. You’ll be joining a global company operating at the forefront of the information age: BT employs 90,000 people in 180 countries. With huge scale, we’re capable of achieving great things, striving to be personal, simple, and brilliant for our customers whilst creating an inclusive working environment where people from all backgrounds can succeed. Play your part. Make a difference. We are the Protectors.

A FEW POINTS TO NOTE:

Although these roles are listed as full-time, if you’re a job share partnership, work reduced hours, or any other way of working flexibly, please still get in touch.

We will also offer reasonable adjustments for the selection process if required, so please do not hesitate to inform us.

DON'T MEET EVERY SINGLE REQUIREMENT?

Studies have shown that women and people who are disabled, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse or from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification and criteria. We're committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where everyone can be their best, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement on the Job Description, please apply anyway - you may just be the right candidate for this or other roles in our wider team.