At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and scale distributed backend systems while leading impactful technical initiatives.
- Company: Join a high-growth tech company in an exciting expansion phase.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be hands-on in coding while shaping the future of a complex platform.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in backend engineering with strong Python expertise.
- Other info: Mentor senior engineers and drive best practices in a dynamic, remote-first environment.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
We’re supporting a high‑growth technology company entering a significant expansion phase. Product adoption is increasing, customer demand is growing, and the engineering function is scaling to support long‑term platform evolution. As part of this growth, they’re hiring a Principal Software Engineer to play a key role in shaping and scaling a complex, distributed platform. This is a hands‑on technical leadership role for someone who thrives on solving deep engineering challenges and designing systems built for performance, reliability, and long‑term maintainability.
The Opportunity
You will work at the core of a production‑scale platform, helping to guide technical direction while remaining deeply involved in implementation. Key responsibilities include:
- Designing and scaling distributed backend systems
- Leading high‑impact technical initiatives across core services and data layers
- Improving performance, reliability, and extensibility of existing systems
- Driving engineering best practices and architectural standards
- Contributing to design discussions, RFCs, and code reviews
- Mentoring senior engineers and raising the technical bar across teams
- Identifying and addressing scalability risks before they become blockers
- Contributing to modern, AI‑enabled engineering workflows
This is not a purely strategic role — you will remain hands‑on in the codebase.
What We’re Looking For
- 8+ years of backend or platform engineering experience
- Strong expertise in Python within large‑scale production systems
- Experience designing and operating distributed systems
- Deep understanding of APIs, data modelling, and system scalability
- Experience working on platforms, developer tools, or infrastructure‑oriented systems
- A pragmatic approach to balancing technical excellence with delivery
- Strong communication skills and ability to influence technical direction
- Experience working effectively in a remote‑first environment
Nice to Have
- Experience with Rust or Go
- Exposure to graph databases or complex data systems
- Experience within infrastructure, automation, or developer tooling environments
- Contributions to open‑source projects
Interested?!? Send your up to date CV to Chris Butler at CRG Recruitment for review.
Principal Software Engineer employer: CRG - People and Technology
Contact Detail:
CRG - People and Technology Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech industry, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can lead to referrals, which can significantly boost your chances of landing that Principal Software Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those involving Python and distributed systems. This gives potential employers a taste of your hands-on experience and technical prowess.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on system design and coding challenges. Practice explaining your thought process clearly, as communication is key in influencing technical direction. We recommend using platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank for practice.
✨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, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Principal Software Engineer role. Highlight your backend engineering experience, especially with Python, and any work you've done on distributed systems.
Showcase Your Projects: Include specific examples of projects where you've designed or scaled complex systems. We want to see how you've tackled engineering challenges and contributed to performance and reliability improvements.
Communicate Clearly: Strong communication skills are key for this role. When writing your application, be clear and concise about your technical expertise and how you can influence technical direction within a team.
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 this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at CRG - People and Technology
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Python and distributed systems, as these are crucial for the role. Brush up on your knowledge of APIs, data modelling, and system scalability, and be ready to discuss specific projects where you've tackled these challenges.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this is a hands-on technical leadership role, prepare examples that highlight your experience in mentoring others and leading high-impact initiatives. Think about how you’ve influenced technical direction in past roles and be ready to share those stories.
✨Prepare for Design Discussions
Expect to engage in design discussions during the interview. Familiarise yourself with common architectural standards and best practices, and be prepared to critique existing systems or propose improvements based on your experience.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Strong communication skills are key for this position. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially when discussing complex technical concepts. Remember, it’s not just about what you know, but how you convey that knowledge to others.