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- Tasks: Lead client projects, define technical strategies, and mentor engineering teams.
- Company: Join Parallax, a dynamic consultancy shaping innovative tech solutions for diverse clients.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, private healthcare, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of tech innovation while influencing project outcomes and mentoring talent.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in software architecture, multiple programming languages, and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Engage in hack days and team events to foster creativity and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
We are hiring a Principal Tech Lead to help shape the future of our most ambitious client projects. This is a senior, hands-on role that blends deep technical expertise with strategic consultancy. You’ll be working at the earliest stages of client engagements—helping uncover the real problems, defining the right approach, and proposing commercially viable, technically sound solutions. You’ll represent Parallax with confidence, pitch ideas persuasively, and guide both clients and internal teams from initial scoping through to architecture, delivery and optimisation. Equally comfortable in the code and leading client workshops, you’ll set the technical direction while enabling and mentoring the engineering team to execute it.
Our clients are diverse, operating across multiple sectors and geographies, often targeting global audiences. You must be able to adapt your technical approach to fit existing technology stacks and standards—or define new ones entirely. Working at a strategic level, you will influence project roadmaps, craft Statements of Work and contribute directly to winning new engagements.
Key Responsibilities- Technical Strategy & Architecture: Define and develop the long-term software architecture strategy; establish and maintain best-practice design patterns, coding standards and technical guidelines across multiple projects.
- Client Engagement & Business Development: Collaborate with commercial teams to identify strategic opportunities, qualify leads, draft proposals and Statements of Work, and present technical solutions that win new business.
- Discovery & Requirements: Lead technical discovery workshops with senior stakeholders, unpicking complex requirements, mapping system dependencies and aligning solutions to business objectives.
- Hands-On Development & Delivery: Balance strategic oversight with hands-on coding—designing, building and deploying critical features; conducting code reviews; and ensuring high performance, security and scalability.
- DevOps & Operational Excellence: Oversee CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code, automated testing and monitoring to drive operational resilience and rapid iteration.
- Quality Assurance & Best Practice: Champion test-driven development, continuous integration, automated testing frameworks and peer review processes to uphold code quality.
- Team Leadership & Mentorship: Mentor and inspire a team of software engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning, collaboration and technical excellence.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with UX designers, product managers and QA specialists to deliver quality outcomes.
- Thought Leadership: Represent our Technology Practice internally and externally—presenting at client meetings, industry events and contributing to the broader engineering community on emerging trends and innovations.
- Balance leadership with hands-on software development, working with teams to create and ship high-quality solutions.
- Identify strategic opportunities and contribute to proposals, estimates and Statement of Work scoping.
- A deep understanding of software architecture principles, design patterns and system integration.
- Proficiency in multiple programming languages and frameworks.
- Solid experience with DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, containerisation and automation tooling.
- Expertise in Agile/Scrum methodologies and iterative delivery practices.
- Strong quality assurance mindset, including test-driven development and peer code reviews.
- Ability to unpick and resolve complex technical problems, architecting scalable, maintainable solutions.
- Exceptional communication skills, comfortable presenting technical concepts and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
- Proven track record in business development, lead qualification and sales closing within a consultancy environment.
- Ability to establish and evolve technical standards, guidelines and reusable component libraries.
- High emotional intelligence and consultancy mindset for managing client relationships and expectations.
- Private medical healthcare (Bupa)
- 4% matched pension
- Hybrid, flexible working
- Hack days & professional development days
- City centre office
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays + up to 5 loyalty days
- Team events
- Enhanced maternity & paternity leave
- 2 streaming services subsidised
Principal Software Engineer / Tech Lead employer: Parallax Agency Ltd
Contact Detail:
Parallax Agency Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer / Tech Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in software architecture and development methodologies. Being able to discuss current best practices and innovations during interviews will demonstrate your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to showcase your hands-on coding skills by working on relevant projects or contributing to open-source initiatives. This not only enhances your technical abilities but also provides concrete examples to discuss during your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice articulating complex technical concepts in a way that is accessible to non-technical stakeholders. This skill is crucial for a Principal Software Engineer, as you'll need to communicate effectively with clients and team members alike.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with professionals in the industry, especially those who work in consultancy roles. Engaging with others can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals, increasing your chances of landing the job.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer / Tech Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in software architecture, team leadership, and hands-on development. Emphasise your proficiency in multiple programming languages and frameworks, as well as your experience with DevOps practices.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for technology and consultancy. Discuss how your background aligns with the responsibilities of the Principal Software Engineer / Tech Lead role, particularly in client engagement and technical strategy.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Provide examples of how you have mentored teams or led projects in the past. Highlight your ability to foster a culture of continuous learning and collaboration, which is crucial for this role.
Prepare for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss your approach to software architecture, coding standards, and quality assurance practices. Prepare to explain complex technical concepts clearly, as you'll need to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
How to prepare for a job interview at Parallax Agency Ltd
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
As a Principal Software Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your deep technical knowledge. Be prepared to discuss your experience with software architecture principles, design patterns, and system integration. Bring examples of past projects where you successfully implemented these concepts.
✨Prepare for Client Engagement Scenarios
Since this role involves significant client interaction, practice how you would lead technical discovery workshops. Think about how to unpick complex requirements and align solutions with business objectives. Being able to articulate your approach clearly will impress the interviewers.
✨Highlight Your Leadership Skills
This position requires balancing hands-on development with team leadership. Share experiences where you've mentored engineers or led teams through challenging projects. Emphasise your ability to foster a culture of continuous learning and collaboration.
✨Demonstrate Your Business Acumen
The role also involves contributing to business development. Be ready to discuss how you've identified strategic opportunities in the past, contributed to proposals, or helped close sales. Showing that you understand the commercial side of technology will set you apart.
