Principal Software Engineer (Python, AI) (Hiring Immediately) in London
Principal Software Engineer (Python, AI) (Hiring Immediately)

Principal Software Engineer (Python, AI) (Hiring Immediately) in London

London Part-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Diligent Corporation

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead AI platform architecture and mentor senior engineers in a collaborative environment.
  • Company: Join a forward-thinking tech company shaping the future of AI.
  • Benefits: Attractive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a significant impact on AI initiatives and drive engineering strategy across teams.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience at Principal Engineer level with strong AI governance knowledge.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with the chance to influence the future of technology.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Here’s a summary of the role: This is a principal-level role for someone who has already operated at Staff or Principal Engineer level in a sizeable engineering organization and can point to specific platform decisions — in production today — that they own. You will set the technical direction for our AI-enabled platform: architecting secure, scalable, serverless systems on AWS, defining the patterns and governance practices that multiple teams adopt, and guiding where AI genuinely adds value across the stack. Your leverage comes from the systems, architectures, and standards you put in place — not from individual output. You will mentor senior engineers, lead org-wide design decisions, and be the person other technical leaders turn to when the hard calls need to be made. You will still write code, but that’s not where your impact is measured. If you’ve led complex platform or AI initiatives at scale, have strong opinions about AI governance in production systems, and want the scope to shape an entire platform's future, this is that role.

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll do (not all of it, just the important stuff):

  • Shape engineering strategy with broad organizational impact — you’ll influence long-term architectural direction across multiple teams and products, not just within your own squad.
  • Drive platform evolution by identifying cross-cutting pain points and leading the design of secure, scalable, reusable solutions built on AWS and modern serverless and microservice patterns.
  • Lead architectural discussions and design reviews where the stakes are real — making clear trade-offs around performance, security, reliability, and maintainability, and getting alignment across teams with competing priorities.
  • Own AI architectural decisions end-to-end: design AI-enabled systems with built-in governance, monitoring, and regulatory readiness baked in from the start, not retrofitted. Define where AI adds genuine value and where it doesn’t.
  • Act as the organization’s AI thought leader — educate engineering teams on model behaviour, agentic systems, and responsible AI practices, and raise the overall maturity of how we design and deploy AI.
  • Mentor and stretch senior and staff engineers, building technical leadership depth across the organisation and holding a high bar for engineering standards.

These are the essentials you’ll need to get an interview: Principal-level.

Principal Software Engineer (Python, AI) (Hiring Immediately) in London employer: Diligent Corporation

Join a forward-thinking company that prioritises innovation and collaboration, where as a Principal Software Engineer, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of AI technology in a supportive and dynamic environment. With a strong emphasis on mentorship and professional growth, you'll work alongside talented engineers while enjoying a culture that values diverse perspectives and encourages creative problem-solving. Located in a vibrant tech hub, the company offers competitive benefits and a commitment to work-life balance, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
Diligent Corporation

Contact Detail:

Diligent Corporation Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer (Python, AI) (Hiring Immediately) in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A personal referral can make all the difference in getting your foot in the door.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your expertise! Attend meetups or conferences related to AI and software engineering. Not only will you learn a ton, but you'll also meet potential employers and showcase your passion for the field.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your coding skills and system design principles. Practice common interview questions and scenarios that relate to AI and scalable systems to impress your interviewers.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you. Make sure your application stands out by highlighting your leadership experience and any impactful projects you've led.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer (Python, AI) (Hiring Immediately) in London

Python
AI Architecture
AWS
Serverless Systems
Microservices
Architectural Design
AI Governance
Mentoring
Cross-Team Collaboration
Performance Optimization
Security Best Practices
Reliability Engineering
Regulatory Compliance
Technical Leadership

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your previous roles, especially if you've operated at a Staff or Principal Engineer level. We want to see specific examples of platform decisions you've made that are currently in production.

Emphasise Technical Leadership: This role is all about shaping engineering strategy and influencing architectural direction. Be sure to mention any experience you have leading architectural discussions or mentoring other engineers, as this will show us you're ready for the challenge.

Demonstrate Your AI Knowledge: Since this position involves AI governance and architecture, include any relevant projects or initiatives you've led in this area. We’re keen to see how you define where AI adds value and how you approach responsible AI practices.

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 don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!

How to prepare for a job interview at Diligent Corporation

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you can talk confidently about your previous experiences, especially those related to AI and platform architecture. Be ready to discuss specific decisions you've made in past roles that have had a significant impact on the systems you worked on.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples of how you've mentored other engineers or led architectural discussions. Highlight situations where you had to make tough calls and how you aligned teams with competing priorities. This role is all about influence, so demonstrate your ability to lead.

✨Understand AI Governance

Brush up on AI governance practices and be prepared to discuss how you've implemented these in production systems. Show that you can identify where AI adds value and where it doesn't, as this will be crucial for the role.

✨Be Ready for Technical Challenges

Expect to face some technical questions or scenarios during the interview. Think through potential trade-offs around performance, security, and maintainability in your past projects. Being able to articulate your thought process will impress the interviewers.

Principal Software Engineer (Python, AI) (Hiring Immediately) in London
Diligent Corporation
Location: London

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