Principal Software Engineer in Bristol

Principal Software Engineer in Bristol

Bristol Full-Time 80000 - 100000 € / year (est.) No home office possible
Franklin Bates

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead design decisions and scale a complex SaaS platform for global customers.
  • Company: Fast-growing tech organisation with a remote-first culture.
  • Benefits: Strong compensation, flexibility, and long-term growth opportunities.
  • Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on innovation and scalability.
  • Why this job: Tackle high-impact engineering challenges and influence architecture at scale.
  • Qualifications: Experience in software engineering, system design, and cloud-native environments.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.

We are supporting a fast-growing technology organisation in the search for a Principal Engineer to help scale a complex, globally deployed SaaS platform. This is a senior individual contributor role with strong technical leadership expectations - ideal for someone who enjoys solving complex engineering challenges at scale while influencing architecture and engineering direction.

You will take ownership of critical areas of a large-scale platform, helping to evolve architecture, improve performance, and support rapid international growth. Working closely with engineering leadership and cross-functional teams, you will:

  • Lead design and architectural decisions across key product areas
  • Build and scale distributed systems handling high-volume data workloads
  • Support the evolution of a SaaS platform serving global enterprise customers
  • Influence engineering standards, tooling, and best practice across teams
  • Partner with product and technical stakeholders to shape roadmap direction
  • Drive improvements across scalability, resilience, and performance

A key focus will be scaling platform capability - supporting increased data volumes, users, and integrations while maintaining reliability and speed.

We are looking for an experienced engineer with deep technical expertise and a track record of operating at scale:

  • Strong background in software engineering and system design
  • Experience building and scaling distributed, data-intensive platforms
  • Proven ability to design robust, scalable SaaS architectures
  • Deep understanding of modern engineering principles and best practices
  • Experience working in cloud-native environments
  • Ability to navigate complexity and bring clarity to ambiguous technical challenges
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to influence technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • Experience mentoring engineers and contributing to technical leadership

Experience with modern architectures and tooling is expected, with exposure to technologies such as:

  • Cloud platforms and containerisation (e.g. Kubernetes)
  • Event-driven and microservices architectures
  • Large-scale data processing and search technologies
  • Modern backend development languages and frameworks

Why Apply?

  • Work on genuinely complex, high-impact engineering challenges
  • Join a fast-scaling, product-led technology business
  • Influence architecture and engineering direction at scale
  • Fully remote-first culture with flexibility
  • Strong compensation and long-term growth opportunity

Principal Software Engineer in Bristol employer: Franklin Bates

Join a dynamic and innovative technology organisation that prioritises a fully remote-first culture, offering flexibility and a strong focus on employee growth. As a Principal Software Engineer, you will tackle complex engineering challenges while influencing the architecture of a globally deployed SaaS platform, all within a supportive environment that values collaboration and technical leadership. With competitive compensation and opportunities for long-term career advancement, this is an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding work in the tech industry.

Franklin Bates

Contact Detail:

Franklin Bates Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer in Bristol

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 give you a leg up in the hiring process.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects and contributions. This is a great way to demonstrate your technical expertise and problem-solving abilities to potential employers.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and scenarios related to scalable SaaS platforms. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with the format.

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 in Bristol

Software Engineering
System Design
Distributed Systems
Data-Intensive Platforms
SaaS Architecture
Cloud-Native Environments
Kubernetes

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Principal Engineer role. Highlight your experience in building scalable SaaS platforms and any leadership roles you've had in engineering.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about solving complex engineering challenges. Share specific examples of how you've influenced architecture and improved performance in previous roles.

Showcase Your Technical Expertise:Don’t shy away from detailing your technical skills! Mention your experience with cloud platforms, containerisation, and any relevant technologies like Kubernetes or microservices architectures that relate to the job.

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 to join our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Franklin Bates

Know Your Tech Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, like cloud platforms and containerisation. Brush up on your knowledge of distributed systems and data-intensive platforms, as you'll likely be asked to discuss your experience with these during the interview.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare to share specific examples of complex engineering challenges you've tackled in the past. Think about how you approached these problems, the solutions you implemented, and the impact they had on the project or team. This will demonstrate your ability to navigate complexity and bring clarity to technical challenges.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Since strong communication skills are key for this role, practice explaining your technical decisions in a way that non-technical stakeholders can understand. Be ready to discuss how you’ve influenced architecture and engineering direction in previous roles, showcasing your ability to bridge the gap between tech and business.

Prepare Questions for Them

Interviews are a two-way street, so come prepared with insightful questions about their engineering practices, team dynamics, and future projects. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the company aligns with your career goals and values.