Principal Engineer in London

Principal Engineer in London

London Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Arrive

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the transition to modern Java/Kotlin services and mentor engineering teams.
  • Company: Join a pioneering tech company transforming urban mobility for major automotive brands.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of automotive technology while making a real impact on global services.
  • Qualifications: Strong technical leadership and experience with AWS, MySQL, and modern engineering practices.
  • Other info: Be part of a dynamic team committed to innovation and sustainability.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.

Our technology powers companies such as Apple, HERE, TomTom, and more than 20 automotive brands including Audi and Volkswagen. Our mission is to make mobility more ecological, efficient, and convenient by delivering world-class in-car data and transaction services. As we continue to grow and integrate into the Arrive Global Platform, we are looking for a Staff Engineer. We are transitioning from an established PHP foundation to a high-performance, modern ecosystem built on Java and Kotlin. We need a technical heavyweight who can navigate our roots while architecting the future of global automotive services.

Why This Role Is Exciting

  • Architect the Future: Act as the primary driver for our move toward Java/Kotlin powered services.
  • Bridge Two Eras: Use your deep understanding of architecture to ensure a seamless transition without disrupting services used by millions.
  • Influence at Scale: Shape the technical roadmap across multiple teams and the broader Arrive Global Platform.
  • Mentor & Elevate: Build a culture of engineering excellence, guiding teams through the nuances of modern JVM languages and cloud-native patterns.

If you enjoy solving complex technical challenges while helping teams grow, this role offers the perfect balance of hands-on engineering and strategic influence.

What You’ll Be Working On

You’ll help guide the technical direction of our platform while collaborating closely with engineers, product teams, and stakeholders. Your work will include:

  • Leading architecture discussions and technical decision-making
  • Improving performance, scalability, and reliability of our platform
  • Diagnosing complex issues across local, pre-release, and production environments
  • Driving engineering best practices across DevSecOps, CI/CD, and testing
  • Helping modernise parts of our PHP-based platform as we evolve our technology stack
  • Supporting teams through technical mentorship and guidance
  • Working within Agile/Scrum teams to deliver impactful features for drivers and automotive partners

Our current core stack includes: PHP | MySQL | AWS | Docker | Linux and the future includes JAVA | KOTLIN | PostGres. As our platform evolves, you’ll also help explore and introduce new technologies and architectural approaches.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a strong technical leader who enjoys solving complex problems and helping teams succeed. You likely bring:

  • Hands-on experience working with AWS and Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CDK, or CloudFormation)
  • Deep understanding of MySQL and relational database performance optimisation
  • Experience working with Linux, Docker, and Git
  • Proven experience leading technical initiatives across multiple teams
  • Experience working with legacy or monolithic systems and modernising them
  • Strong understanding of API design and distributed systems
  • Knowledge of modern engineering practices, including CI/CD and DevSecOps
  • Understanding of secure development practices such as OWASP Top 10
  • Experience with testing methodologies such as TDD or BDD
  • PostgreSQL or NoSQL databases
  • Large-scale platform migrations or re-architecture initiatives
  • Experience in Automotive
  • Experience with Payments

We’ve signed up to an ambitious journey. Join us! As Arrive, we guide customers and communities towards brighter futures and more livable cities, it isn’t a challenge just anyone could take on. Luckily, we have something to help us make it happen. Our people and our values. We Arrive Curious, Focused and Together. Just as our entire brand is inspired by the North Star, the shining light leading travelers to their destinations since time began, our values guide us. They help us be at our best. For our customers. For the cities and communities we serve. For ourselves. As a global team, we are transforming urban mobility. Let’s grow better, together.

Principal Engineer in London employer: Arrive

At Arrive, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. As a Principal Engineer, you will not only lead the transition to cutting-edge technologies like Java and Kotlin but also have the opportunity to mentor and elevate your peers in a supportive environment. With a commitment to employee growth and a mission to transform urban mobility, working with us means being part of a team that values curiosity, focus, and togetherness while making a meaningful impact on communities worldwide.
Arrive

Contact Detail:

Arrive Recruiting Team

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 folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those related to Java, Kotlin, or cloud technologies. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Practice common interview questions, especially around architecture and modern engineering practices. We want you to feel confident and ready to impress!

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to 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 mission to transform urban mobility.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Engineer in London

Java
Kotlin
AWS
Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CDK, or CloudFormation)
MySQL
Relational Database Performance Optimisation
Linux
Docker
Git
API Design
Distributed Systems
CI/CD
DevSecOps
Secure Development Practices (OWASP Top 10)
Testing Methodologies (TDD or BDD)
PostgreSQL
NoSQL Databases
Large-scale Platform Migrations
Automotive Experience
Payments Experience

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Technology: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for tech shine through! We want to see how excited you are about transitioning from PHP to Java and Kotlin. Share any relevant projects or experiences that highlight your journey in tech.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We’re looking for someone who can bridge the gap between legacy systems and modern architectures, so highlight your experience in both areas!

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon unless it’s necessary. Use bullet points where possible to make your achievements stand out and easy to read.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Arrive

✨Know Your Tech Stack

Make sure you’re well-versed in both the current PHP stack and the future Java/Kotlin ecosystem. Brush up on your knowledge of AWS, Docker, and MySQL, as well as any experience you have with PostgreSQL or NoSQL databases. Being able to discuss how you can bridge the gap between these technologies will impress the interviewers.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

This role is all about technical leadership, so be prepared to share examples of how you've led teams through complex projects. Discuss your experience with mentoring and guiding engineers, especially in modern engineering practices like CI/CD and DevSecOps. Highlighting your ability to influence at scale will resonate well.

✨Prepare for Architectural Discussions

Since you'll be leading architecture discussions, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of system design and distributed systems. Think about past projects where you’ve made architectural decisions and be ready to explain your thought process. This will show that you can architect the future while respecting legacy systems.

✨Emphasise Problem-Solving Abilities

The role involves diagnosing complex issues, so come prepared with examples of challenges you've faced and how you resolved them. Whether it’s performance optimisation or large-scale migrations, showcasing your problem-solving skills will highlight your fit for this high-impact position.

Principal Engineer in London
Arrive
Location: London

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