Principal Engineer (ECommerce and Digital) in South West London
Principal Engineer (ECommerce and Digital) in South West London

Principal Engineer (ECommerce and Digital) in South West London

Full-Time 60000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead engineering strategy for E-Commerce & Digital at John Lewis, shaping software solutions and team dynamics.
  • Company: Join John Lewis, a renowned UK retailer known for its commitment to quality and innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving digital transformation in retail, making a real impact.
  • Qualifications: Strong engineering background with leadership experience and knowledge of modern software techniques required.
  • Other info: Flexible working arrangements with occasional office visits; collaborative environment with key stakeholders.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 90000 £ per year.

Find out more about being a Software Engineer in the Partnership, and the technology we use –https://engineering-principles.jlp.engineering/principles/

At a glance

  • Contract type – This position is a permanent contract.

  • Salary – £75,000 – £120,000

  • Flexible Working: This is a hybrid working role, therefore your time will primarily be split between working from home (in the UK) and London Head Office. However, there will also be an expectation to visit other locations as the need arises.

  • While most engineers visit the office once or twice a month, occasionally business needs may require more frequent attendance. Our offices are open five days a week for those who prefer to work from the office more regularly.

Key Responsibilities:

  • As a Principal Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in aligning the engineering strategy and roadmap for John Lewis E-Commerce & Digital with the overarching business objectives. Your influence will extend to key decisions that shape the operation of John Lewis E-Commerce & Digital services and guide how engineering drives change across this complex business area. This will involve influencing how work is managedwhether agile, waterfall, or hybrid including the effectiveness and measurement of teams. This includes ensuring that engineering practices align with the broader Partnership engineering strategy and influencing team structure, balance, and resource models by providing key input on ways of working and team maturity to deliver optimal engineering capabilities.

  • A key objective of the role is to revisit some of our first generation microservices and remaining legacy tech in this area, as well as to extend our digital tech into our stores.

  • To do this you will collaborate closely with key stakeholders such as Product Leads, Delivery and Operations Managers, Infrastructure Leads and Enterprise Architects as well as Senior Staff Engineers and specialist engineering teams. You will also work closely with other Principal Engineers who may be responsible for other business areas or for deep engineering specialisms such as cloud or data.

  • Successful candidates will have a passion for using technology to deliver outstanding and innovative software solutions, and will have a track record of working with teams delivering complex, performant, high quality software.

Essential skills/experience youll need:

  • Strong engineering background with real world experience of modern software engineering techniques such as Continuous Delivery and ideally experience of using strategic patterns of Domain Driven Design.

  • Experience of the technical implementation of package solutions into complex environments.

  • Experience in senior leadership role, leading across multiple teams, working with senior stakeholders and influencing multi-million pound investments in engineering

  • Knowledge/experience of working with different architectural styles (e.g. microservices, service based,) and integration patterns when working with different platforms (RESTful, streams, event based, broker models).

  • Knowledge/experience of techniques used to improve the resilience, performance, security and evolvability of complex systems.

  • Experience of applying techniques from Lean and Systems Thinking.

Desirable skills/experience you may have

  • ECommerce or Retail experience

  • Working with legacy systems

  • Will have been a hands-on software engineer for part of their career.

  • Engineering management role, working across multiple teams or architecture role working across a large part of an enterprise.

Next Steps

  • The application form consists of a CV upload followed by application questions. Please ensure you refresh the page each time you complete a task to ensure you complete everything that you need to do before the closing date.

  • If you are successful following your initial application, the next stages are: a screening interview followed by a formal interview and up to 2 informal interviews.

  • You\’ll be asked about any adjustments you might need to support the recruitment process. Let us know, and we\’ll be sure to discuss it with you.

Principal Engineer (ECommerce and Digital) in South West London employer: John Lewis & Partners

At John Lewis, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Principal Engineer in South West London, you'll enjoy flexible working arrangements, competitive salaries, and the opportunity to influence significant engineering strategies within a renowned retail environment. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through continuous learning opportunities and a supportive atmosphere that encourages you to thrive both personally and professionally.
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Contact Detail:

John Lewis & Partners Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Engineer (ECommerce and Digital) in South West London

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the technology stack used at John Lewis E-Commerce & Digital. Understanding their engineering principles and how they align with business objectives will help you articulate your fit for the role during interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with current or former employees of John Lewis, especially those in engineering roles. They can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for interviews.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience with modern software engineering techniques, particularly Continuous Delivery and Domain Driven Design. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've implemented these in past projects.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've influenced teams and stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight any experience you have with managing multi-million pound investments in engineering to demonstrate your capability for this senior position.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Engineer (ECommerce and Digital) in South West London

Strong engineering background
Modern software engineering techniques
Continuous Delivery
Domain Driven Design
Technical implementation of package solutions
Senior leadership experience
Stakeholder management
Influencing multi-million pound investments
Knowledge of architectural styles (microservices, service-based)
Integration patterns (RESTful, streams, event-based, broker models)
Resilience and performance improvement techniques
Security and evolvability of complex systems
Lean and Systems Thinking techniques
ECommerce or Retail experience
Experience with legacy systems
Hands-on software engineering experience
Engineering management experience
Cross-team collaboration

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Principal Engineer position. Familiarise yourself with the technologies mentioned in the job description, such as Continuous Delivery and Domain Driven Design.

Tailor Your CV: Craft your CV to highlight relevant experience that aligns with the job description. Emphasise your engineering background, leadership roles, and any experience with eCommerce or retail systems. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills in delivering complex software solutions.

Answer Application Questions Thoughtfully: When filling out the application questions, provide detailed responses that showcase your expertise and how it relates to the role. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and illustrate your impact in previous positions.

Prepare for Interviews: If selected for an interview, prepare by reviewing common interview questions for engineering leadership roles. Be ready to discuss your approach to managing teams, influencing stakeholders, and improving system performance. Also, think about any adjustments you might need during the recruitment process.

How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis & Partners

✨Understand the Company’s Engineering Principles

Before your interview, take some time to read up on the engineering principles of John Lewis. Familiarising yourself with their technology stack and methodologies will not only show your interest but also help you align your answers with their values.

✨Prepare for Technical Questions

Given the role's focus on modern software engineering techniques, be ready to discuss your experience with Continuous Delivery, Domain Driven Design, and architectural styles like microservices. Prepare examples from your past work that demonstrate your expertise in these areas.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience

As a Principal Engineer, you'll need to influence and lead teams. Be prepared to share specific instances where you've successfully led projects or teams, particularly in complex environments. Highlight how you managed stakeholder relationships and drove multi-million pound investments.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

Interviews are a two-way street. Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's engineering strategy, team dynamics, and future projects. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.

Principal Engineer (ECommerce and Digital) in South West London
John Lewis & Partners
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J
  • Principal Engineer (ECommerce and Digital) in South West London

    Full-Time
    60000 - 90000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-08-04

  • J

    John Lewis & Partners

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