At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop high-quality software using Java and Spring Boot while mentoring fellow engineers.
- Company: Established tech business in South Manchester with a focus on modern engineering practices.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, excellent pension, private medical cover, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic engineering team.
- Why this job: Enjoy hands-on coding while influencing technical direction in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Significant experience with Java, Spring Boot, and mentoring skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
- Principal Java Engineer (Hands-On)
- £70,000 - £85,000 + Bonus + Excellent Benefits
- Hybrid - 1 Day Per Week Onsite in South Manchester
- Java | Spring Boot | AWS | Technical Leadership
Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
We're working with an established technology business in South Manchester who are looking to appoint a Principal Java Engineer to play a key role in the continued development of their software platforms and engineering teams.
This is an opportunity for an experienced Java Engineer who enjoys technical leadership but doesn't want to move away from writing code.
The role is approximately 80% hands-on, with the remaining time focused on mentoring, coaching, technical decision-making and helping drive engineering standards.
The business has invested heavily in modern engineering practices, with Agile, Extreme Programming (XP), TDD and continuous delivery central to how their teams operate.
The Opportunity
You’ll work as part of an established Scrum team, taking ownership of technical delivery while helping influence the wider engineering approach.
Your responsibilities will include
- Designing, developing and delivering high-quality software using Java and Spring Boot.
- Providing technical leadership within the Scrum team, helping guide engineering decisions and approaches.
- Mentoring and coaching engineers, supporting their technical development.
- Collaborating with other Principal Engineers and Development Managers on architecture, standards and engineering improvements.
- Championing practices including TDD, pair programming, automated testing and continuous integration.
- Helping break down complex technical challenges and ensuring solutions are scalable, maintainable and fit for purpose.
- Remaining actively involved in coding, code reviews and day-to-day delivery.
This isn't a traditional management position or a purely architectural role. You'll have genuine technical influence while remaining closely involved in building software.
The engineering environment includes
- Java and Spring Boot
- AWS cloud infrastructure, including serverless technologies
- Microservices and distributed systems
- Docker and Kubernetes
- Terraform and Infrastructure as Code
- CI/CD and automated deployment pipelines
- Test-Driven Development (TDD)
- Pair programming and Agile/XP practices
You don't need to have worked with every technology listed. Strong Java engineering fundamentals and a commitment to good software development practices are the priorities.
What We're Looking For
We're interested in speaking with experienced Senior, Lead, Staff or Principal Java Engineers who can demonstrate:
- Significant commercial experience developing applications with Java and Spring Boot.
- Strong technical judgement and the ability to influence engineering decisions.
- Experience mentoring, coaching or providing technical guidance to other developers.
- A genuine interest in writing clean, maintainable and well-tested code.
- Experience working in collaborative Agile engineering environments.
- An understanding of modern software architecture and distributed systems.
- The ability to balance hands-on delivery with wider technical responsibilities.
Experience with AWS, Dev Ops tooling, containerisation and Infrastructure as Code would be particularly beneficial.
You don't necessarily need to hold a Principal title already.
If you're a strong Senior or Lead Engineer who has been taking on wider technical responsibilities and is ready for the next step, we'd be keen to hear from you.
What's On Offer?
- Salary of £70,000 - £85,000 depending on experience.
- Performance-related bonus.
- Excellent pension scheme.
- Private medical cover.
- Hybrid working, with approximately one day per week onsite in South Manchester.
- A genuinely hands-on technical leadership position.
- Established engineering teams with a strong focus on quality, collaboration and continuous improvement.
- The opportunity to influence technical direction while working on complex, long-term software platforms.
Interested?
If you're an experienced Java Engineer looking for greater technical influence without sacrificing the hands-on development you enjoy, we'd be keen to have a conversation.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Principal Software Engineer in Manchester, Greater Manchester employer: Energy Jobline CVL
Join a reputable contractor as a Gas Engineer in Newark-on-Trent, where you'll enjoy a supportive work culture and the stability of ongoing projects within social housing. With competitive pay, immediate start opportunities, and a focus on employee growth through consistent work, this role offers a meaningful chance to make a difference in the community while developing your skills in a collaborative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer in Manchester, Greater Manchester
✨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 Energy Jobline CVL 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
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✨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 Energy Jobline CVL.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
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We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer in Manchester, Greater Manchester
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 Energy Jobline CVL.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Energy Jobline CVL 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 Energy Jobline CVL
✨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 Energy Jobline CVL 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.
