Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to deliver secure software solutions for national defence.
- Company: Join a mission-driven team tackling complex engineering challenges in defence and intelligence.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 9-day fortnight, private healthcare, bonus schemes, and career pathways.
- Why this job: Make impactful decisions in a role that combines technical leadership with hands-on engineering.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Senior or Lead Software Engineer with expertise in Java or React required.
- Other info: UK highest level security clearance is mandatory.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Description
Principal Software Engineer – Mission-Critical Platforms (Java/React)\\n📍 On-Site | 💷 Salary Competitive\\n🧳 Relocation Assistance Available | UK Citizenship Required\\n🔐 Must Hold UK-Highest Level Security Clearance\\n\\nLead a team delivering secure, high-impact software solutions for national defence.\\n\\nMy client is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to oversee the design, development, and delivery of complex software systems across defence, security, and intelligence domains. You’ll combine hands-on engineering with technical leadership, guiding a multidisciplinary team through agile delivery while maintaining technical excellence.\\n\\nThis is a leadership role for someone passionate about building stable, elegant solutions in a mission-critical environment, with the autonomy and backing to make meaningful decisions that impact national security.\\n\\n🔧 What You’ll Do:\\n\\n * \\n\\n Own team deliverables, working alongside the Scrum Master to meet mission and delivery goals\\n\\n * \\n\\n Lead technical design, code development, testing and deployment of secure, scalable systems\\n\\n * \\n\\n Guide and mentor junior developers, setting engineering standards and fostering growth\\n\\n * \\n\\n Collaborate with front-end engineers, DevOps, and QA teams to integrate full-stack solutions\\n\\n * \\n\\n Engage directly with stakeholders to shape outcomes based on real-world needs\\n\\n✅ What You’ll Bring:\\n\\n * \\n\\n Hands-on experience as a Senior or Lead Software Engineer\\n\\n * \\n\\n Specialism in backend Java (Spring Boot, Maven) or frontend React (Node, npm)\\n\\n * \\n\\n Proven record designing and deploying robust systems in secure environments\\n\\n * \\n\\n Familiarity with CI/CD, containerisation, and cloud-native tools: Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, AWS\\n\\n * \\n\\n Strong collaboration, communication, and Agile working practices\\n\\n * \\n\\n UK highest level of government clearance (active and current)\\n\\n🧭 Why Join?\\n\\n * \\n\\n A mission-driven team solving the most complex engineering challenges in defence and intelligence\\n\\n * \\n\\n 9-day fortnight available (every other Friday off)\\n\\n * \\n\\n Private healthcare, bonus schemes, career pathways\\n\\nInclusive environment with leadership who invest in your development
Principal Software Engineer employer: centrum solutions
Contact Detail:
centrum solutions 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 and technologies in Java and React, as well as secure software development practices. This will not only enhance your technical knowledge but also demonstrate your commitment to staying current in a rapidly evolving field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the defence and security sectors. Attend relevant meetups or conferences where you can connect with others who work in similar roles. This could lead to valuable insights and potential referrals for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in leading teams and mentoring junior developers. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've guided teams through complex projects, as this is a key aspect of the Principal Software Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the company’s mission and recent projects related to national defence. Understanding their goals and challenges will allow you to tailor your discussions during interviews, showing that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
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 in software engineering, particularly with Java and React. Emphasise any leadership roles you've held and your experience in secure environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for mission-critical software solutions. Mention specific projects where you led teams or made impactful decisions, and how they relate to national security.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your technical skills, especially in backend Java (Spring Boot) and frontend React. Include your familiarity with CI/CD, containerisation, and cloud-native tools like Jenkins and Docker.
Showcase Leadership Experience: Since this is a leadership role, detail your experience mentoring junior developers and leading teams. Provide examples of how you've set engineering standards and fostered growth within your team.
How to prepare for a job interview at centrum solutions
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your hands-on experience with Java and React, as well as any relevant frameworks like Spring Boot. Highlight specific projects where you've designed and deployed secure systems, demonstrating your ability to handle complex software challenges.
✨Emphasise Leadership Skills
Since this is a leadership role, be ready to share examples of how you've guided teams in the past. Discuss your approach to mentoring junior developers and how you set engineering standards within your team.
✨Demonstrate Agile Experience
Familiarity with Agile methodologies is crucial for this position. Prepare to talk about your experience working in Agile environments, including how you've collaborated with Scrum Masters and other team members to meet delivery goals.
✨Engage with Real-World Scenarios
During the interview, engage with the interviewers by discussing how you would approach real-world problems in national defence. Show that you understand the importance of delivering solutions that meet actual stakeholder needs and contribute to national security.
