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- Tasks: Lead two engineering teams in developing card and credit systems.
- Company: Join a top UK fin-tech scale-up transforming business funding.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, bonuses, stock grants, and a learning budget.
- Why this job: Shape a high-growth product area with real impact and mentorship opportunities.
- Qualifications: Strong backend engineering experience, preferably in Python, with card product knowledge.
- Other info: Flexible office days in London; no fixed schedule required.
The predicted salary is between 108000 - 162000 £ per year.
Principal Software Engineer – Robotics and AI | Own Technical Strategy
Central London – Hybrid (3 days in office)
Up to £170,000 per annum plus bonus and stock options
Principal Software Engineer – We’re recruiting on behalf of a product-led technology company building a complex software platform that supports large-scale, real-world robotics systems. The engineering challenges are substantial: distributed systems, orchestration, reliability, performance and long-term platform evolution to incorporate AI-driven workflows.
They’re now looking for a Principal Software Engineer to take end-to-end architectural ownership and provide senior technical leadership across the organisation.
This is a genuinely senior role with real authority and influence, not a title-only position.
The Principal Software Engineer
You’ll be responsible for setting technical direction across the core platform and future products, while remaining hands-on where it matters most. You’ll work closely with product leadership, mentor senior engineers and help scale a stable platform into a multi-product foundation.
Key responsibilities
Define, own and evolve overall system architecture across the core platform and new products.
Act as the senior technical decision-maker, translating the product vision into a technical strategy.
Design scalable, resilient, cloud-native systems.
Lead and mentor Staff and Senior Staff Engineers.
Improve delivery pace without compromising quality.
Address technical debt and scaling challenges.
Work closely with Product and customer-facing teams.
Support event-driven, data-heavy, Cloud and edge-connected systems.
Extensive experience in backend and platform engineering with in-depth knowledge of Golang.
Excellent knowledge of leading the end-to-end architecture of complex, large-scale, distributed systems.
Good understanding of modern, Cloud-native architectures including Kubernetes, containerisation, CI/CD, IaC.
Proven experience in senior leadership roles, working with Product to build and scale complex software products.
Experience leading and influencing Staff/Senior Staff Engineers as a Principal Engineer, CTO or equivalent senior role.
If you’re a Principal Engineer looking for genuine responsibility, long-term impact and the chance to shape a platform at scale, please reply with your CV or call Simon for a chat.
Principal Software Engineer – Robotics and AI | Own Technical Strategy
Central London – Hybrid (3 days in office)
Up to £170,000 per annum plus bonus and stock options
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Principal Software Engineer employer: Burns Sheehan
Contact Detail:
Burns Sheehan Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in card and credit systems. Understanding the nuances of these products will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the company. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be a game-changer in your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your architectural and system design skills. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences in these areas, as they are crucial for the Principal Software Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your mentoring experience. Highlighting how you've guided junior engineers in the past can set you apart, as this role involves fostering a high-performance culture within the teams.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with backend systems, particularly in Python, Java, or Clojure. Emphasise any work you've done on card-based products and your architectural skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, explain why you're passionate about the role and how your background aligns with the company's needs. Mention your experience in mentoring engineers and driving technical direction.
Showcase Relevant Projects: Include specific examples of projects where you've led architectural decisions or migrated legacy systems to modern stacks. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and leadership capabilities.
Highlight Soft Skills: Don't forget to mention your soft skills, such as communication and teamwork. As a Principal Software Engineer, you'll need to collaborate with various stakeholders and mentor other engineers.
How to prepare for a job interview at Burns Sheehan
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
As a Principal Software Engineer, it's crucial to demonstrate your deep understanding of backend systems, particularly in Python. Be prepared to discuss your previous projects, architectural decisions you've made, and how you've tackled challenges in high-volume environments.
✨Prepare for System Design Questions
Expect to face questions that assess your architectural and system design skills. Practice designing scalable systems on the spot, explaining your thought process clearly, and justifying your choices based on performance and reliability.
✨Highlight Mentorship Experience
Since mentoring is a key part of this role, be ready to share examples of how you've guided junior engineers or led teams. Discuss specific instances where your mentorship has led to improved performance or successful project outcomes.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with the company's products, especially in the card and credit space. Being able to articulate how your technical skills can contribute to their business goals will set you apart as a candidate who understands both technology and its impact on the business.
