At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive engineering excellence and shape the future of retail technology.
- Company: Join Sainsbury’s Tech, a leading multi-channel retailer in the UK.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous holiday allowance, and private health cover.
- Other info: Be part of an innovative culture with career-long development opportunities.
- Why this job: Influence technology for millions and thrive in a supportive community.
- Qualifications: Deep expertise in modern backend languages and experience in senior engineering roles.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Why Join Us At Sainsbury’s Tech, you’ll help power one of the UK’s largest and most-loved multi-channel, multi-brand retailers. As a Principal Engineer, you will drive engineering excellence, shape modern technology standards, and influence the future of retail technology for millions of customers. You’ll work in a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative engineering community—one that values experimentation, innovation, and evidence-based decision making. If you’re passionate about modern engineering practises and want the freedom to explore, lead, and deliver at scale, this is the place to thrive.
What You’ll Do
- Setting and evolving engineering strategy, standards, and best practises across your domain.
- Influencing innovation, modern ways of working, and technical direction across engineering teams.
- Leading by example through deep technical expertise, supporting Staff Engineers and teams to deliver scalable, high-performance technology solutions.
- Guiding engineers and senior leaders with expert insight on technical risk, impact assessment, and prioritisation.
- Designing and overseeing the delivery of large-scale, high-availability systems using cutting-edge technologies.
- Driving the adoption and continuous improvement of engineering practises, using data and evidence to support decision-making.
- Leverage AI and intelligent automation to modernise our systems, streamline decision making, and ensure the organisation remains future fit in a rapidly evolving technology landscape.
- Shaping engineering culture by developing talent, mentoring engineers, and contributing to a thriving community of practise.
Essential Criteria
- Technical Excellence
- Deep hands-on expertise in at least one modern backend language (e.g., Java, .NET, Golang, Node.js, Python, Kotlin).
- Strong understanding of engineering ecosystems, software architectures, and scalable system design.
- Experience leading the development of complex, high-performance, distributed systems.
- Proven ability to define, evolve, and govern technical standards and engineering best practises.
- Leadership & Influence
- Proven experience in a senior or principal engineering role within a modern technology organisation.
- Proven ability to influence engineering strategy and shape technology direction across multiple teams or domains.
- Experience working with Senior Engineering Managers and technical leaders to guide engineering vision and delivery.
- Ways of Working
- Strong advocate for agile methodologies and modern engineering practises.
- Proven ability to build collaborative, inclusive relationships across engineering communities.
- Comfortable making data-driven decisions and evaluating trade-offs at scale.
- Culture & Mentorship
- Strong experience developing colleagues, mentoring engineers at all levels, and contributing to engineering culture.
- Passion for innovation, continuous improvement, and enabling others to succeed.
Why Sainsbury’s Tech?
- Influence technology used by millions of customers every day
- Freedom to innovate, experiment, and drive real change
- Supportive engineering community and career-long development
- Be part of shaping the future of retail technology
What’s in It for You
- Flexible working with a balanced approach to home and office
- Colleague discounts across Sainsbury’s, Argos and Habitat
- Private health cover
- Generous holiday allowance
- Bonus scheme
- Car allowance
- Pension plan
- Discounts on gyms, restaurants, holidays, retail and more
Principal Engineer in London employer: 慨正橡扯
At Sainsbury’s Tech, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and inclusive engineering community. As a Principal Engineer, you will not only influence the future of retail technology for millions but also enjoy flexible working arrangements, generous benefits including private health cover and discounts across our brands, and ample opportunities for career development and mentorship in a culture that values innovation and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Engineer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Sainsbury’s Tech on LinkedIn or through industry events. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or a project that highlights your expertise in modern backend languages and scalable system design. This is your chance to demonstrate your technical excellence beyond the CV.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for the interview! Brush up on agile methodologies and be prepared to discuss how you've influenced engineering strategy in past roles. We want to see your passion for innovation and mentorship shine through.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our supportive engineering community.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Let us see your enthusiasm for modern engineering practices! Share examples of how you've driven innovation and excellence in your previous roles. We love to see candidates who are genuinely excited about shaping the future of technology.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with backend languages and scalable systems. We want to know how your skills align with our needs, so don’t hold back on showcasing your technical expertise!
Be Data-Driven:Since we value evidence-based decision making, include any metrics or data that demonstrate your impact in previous positions. Whether it’s improving system performance or leading successful projects, numbers can really make your application stand out!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our supportive and collaborative community!
How to prepare for a job interview at 慨正橡扯
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a Principal Engineer, you’ll need to showcase your deep expertise in modern backend languages. Brush up on the latest trends and best practices in software architecture and scalable system design. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've applied these skills.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading engineering teams and influencing technical direction. Think about how you've shaped engineering culture or mentored others, as this role values collaboration and community.
✨Be Data-Driven
Sainsbury’s Tech is all about evidence-based decision making. Come prepared with examples of how you've used data to drive improvements or make critical decisions in past projects. This will show that you align with their focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
✨Show Your Passion for Innovation
Express your enthusiasm for modern engineering practices and your desire to experiment and innovate. Share any personal projects or initiatives that demonstrate your commitment to staying ahead in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
