At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform legacy software into cloud-native applications using C# and .NET.
- Company: Established software business undergoing a major technology transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on innovative solutions and career advancement.
- Why this job: Be hands-on in coding while shaping the future of software engineering with AI.
- Qualifications: Strong experience in C#, .NET, and cloud development; full-stack skills preferred.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Albany Growth are partnered with an established software business going through a major multi-year technology transformation, rebuilding and modernising a large legacy product estate onto a new cloud-native architecture. They're hiring a Principal Software Engineer to play a key role in that journey - someone who is still deeply hands-on, comfortable getting into an existing codebase, understanding how it works today and helping shape how that capability should be rebuilt for the future.
This is a software engineering role first and foremost, NOT a DevOps or infrastructure position. You'll be building applications in the cloud, modernising legacy products and helping shape how AI and agentic engineering is applied across the software development lifecycle.
What you'll be doing:
- Remaining heavily hands-on with C# / .NET development
- Reviewing complex legacy applications and understanding how existing functionality should evolve
- Breaking functionality out of legacy platforms and rebuilding it incrementally on the target cloud architecture
- Working closely with Product to turn business requirements into well-defined technical solutions
- Building cloud-native, scalable application services and APIs
- Helping define engineering patterns, testing standards and technical guardrails
- Applying AI-assisted and agentic engineering approaches across the development lifecycle
We're looking for:
- Strong commercial experience with C# and .NET / .NET Core
- Principal, Staff or Lead-level engineers who still spend the majority of their time building
- Strong experience developing applications in Azure, although AWS or GCP backgrounds can also work
- Full-stack experience with React, Angular or another modern JavaScript framework
- Experience modernising large legacy applications or progressively moving functionality from on-premise systems into the cloud
- Strong knowledge of microservices, distributed systems, APIs and automated testing
- Hands-on experience with AI-assisted or agentic software engineering, using tools or approaches such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, MCP, coding agents or similar
- Experience helping introduce or scale AI-enabled engineering practices across a development team would be particularly valuable
- Java experience is useful but not essential
This is a great fit for senior engineers who don't want to move away from coding and enjoy taking complex legacy software, understanding what should stay, what should change and what should be rebuilt - then actually delivering it. If you're interested, apply using the link and we'll be in touch.
Principal Software Engineer in Reading employer: Albany Partners
Agentic Engineering is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. With a focus on employee growth, the company provides opportunities to engage in meaningful projects, such as the major cloud-native platform transformation in Reading, where you can make a tangible impact while enjoying a hybrid work model. The supportive environment encourages hands-on involvement in cutting-edge technology, making it an ideal place for passionate engineers looking to advance their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer in Reading
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Albany Partners or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Albany Partners.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Albany Partners.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Albany Partners that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Albany Partners.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Albany Partners and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Albany Partners
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Albany Partners uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
