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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and mentor engineers while designing scalable cloud-native solutions.
- Company: Join a transformative Fintech at the forefront of banking innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 25% annual bonus, 38 days holiday, and flexible working.
- Why this job: Be part of Europe's largest banking transformation and drive impactful engineering solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience in financial services, Java, React, and cloud technologies like Azure.
- Other info: This role is 70% hands-on with a mix of coding and strategic design.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Principal Software Engineer – (Hybrid, London)
£90,000–£100,000 + 10% Bonus + 10% Share Options + More
Able to get into London when required (Circa. 2/3x a month)
A specialist cloud and platform engineering consultancy is hiring a Principal Software Engineer to lead the design and delivery of modern, scalable software systems for public and private sector clients.
This is a senior, hands‑on role for an experienced engineer who enjoys working across architecture, delivery and technical leadership, helping teams build high-quality systems while improving engineering practices and developer productivity.
The Role
You’ll act as a technical lead across multiple delivery engagements, shaping architecture, mentoring engineers and working closely with customers to translate business problems into robust technical solutions.
You’ll remain hands‑on, particularly across Java/Spring and React, while influencing standards, patterns and best practices across the wider engineering organisation.
Key Responsibilities
Lead design and delivery of modern, scalable software systems
Shape architecture, service boundaries and system decomposition (DDD, microservices)
Drive improvements in testing, automation and delivery processes
Work hands‑on across the stack, particularly with React and Java/Spring
Reduce technical debt and improve long‑term maintainability
Collaborate with cloud and platform teams on end‑to‑end solutions
Act as a senior technical advisor to customers
Mentor engineers and contribute to shared engineering standards
What We’re Looking For
Strong experience with Domain Driven Design and microservices
Deep hands‑on background in Java/Spring and React
Experience improving engineering effectiveness and developer tooling
Confidence leading technical discussions and mentoring teams
Consulting mindset with strong stakeholder communication
Nice to have:
GovUK Design System, Azure/GCP, .NET
Why Apply
High‑impact work with major public and private sector clients
Influence architecture and engineering practices at scale
Strong focus on modern engineering, cloud and developer experience
Hybrid working with excellent work‑life balance
Clear progression at Principal and beyond
Package:
£80k–£100k + 10% bonus + share options + full benefits
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Principal Software Engineer - Java employer: Harvey Nash
Contact Detail:
Harvey Nash Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer - Java
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in cloud computing and microservices, especially within the financial services sector. Being able to discuss recent advancements or case studies during your interview can demonstrate your passion and expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the fintech industry, particularly those who have experience in banking transformations. Engaging in conversations on platforms like LinkedIn can provide insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to showcase your leadership skills by discussing past experiences where you mentored teams or led projects. Highlighting your ability to drive engineering solutions will resonate well with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the specific technologies mentioned in the job description, such as Java, React, and Azure. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these technologies in previous roles, as this will show your hands-on experience and technical depth.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer - Java
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in the financial services sector, particularly in banking. Emphasise your hands-on leadership skills and any relevant projects that showcase your expertise in Java, cloud technologies, and microservices.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company's transformation journey. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully led engineering teams and implemented innovative solutions in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your technical skills related to cloud computing, APIs, and data management. If you have any cloud certifications, be sure to mention them as they can set you apart from other candidates.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Abilities: Provide examples in your application that demonstrate your ability to tackle complex engineering challenges. Discuss how you've designed and built scalable, secure, and high-performance solutions in past projects.
How to prepare for a job interview at Harvey Nash
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
As a Principal Software Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your deep understanding of Java and cloud technologies. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've applied these skills, particularly in the financial services sector.
✨Emphasise Leadership and Mentoring Experience
This role involves leading and mentoring a team. Share examples of how you've successfully guided junior engineers or led projects, highlighting your hands-on leadership style and ability to drive engineering solutions.
✨Prepare for Design and Strategy Discussions
Since a significant portion of the role focuses on design and strategy, be ready to discuss your approach to designing scalable and secure cloud-native solutions. Think about challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.
✨Understand the Company’s Transformation Goals
Research the company's current transformation initiatives in the banking sector. Being knowledgeable about their goals will allow you to align your answers with their vision and demonstrate your genuine interest in contributing to their success.
