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- Tasks: Design and optimise backend services for live football events using Java.
- Company: Join Hawk-Eye Innovations, a leader in sports technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, hybrid working, and exclusive perks.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on football technology for FIFA and UEFA.
- Qualifications: Expert-level Java and Spring Boot experience required.
The predicted salary is between 76340 - 100340 ÂŁ per year.
Join Our Team as a Principal Java Engineer at Hawk‑Eye Innovations. If you’re passionate about building scalable backend systems and want to work on high‑impact projects for FIFA and UEFA, this could be the ideal role for you.
As a Principal Java Engineer in our Football Backend Team, you’ll play a key role in designing, developing, and optimising data‑intensive backend services that power live football events. Our team is responsible for managing data feeds, event‑driven processing, and cloud‑based infrastructure to deliver real‑time insights to global football leagues and partners.
You’ll work in an agile environment, collaborating with engineers across our football backend team. Given the high‑profile nature of our work, we operate in a fast‑moving environment where efficiency and scalability are key to success.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, optimise, and maintain backend services using Java (Spring Boot)
- Contribute to design decisions for new and existing projects
- Work on football‑related data pipelines that power FIFA, Serie‑A and UEFA operations
- Deploy and scale applications in AWS (ECS, Lambda, S3, DynamoDB, etc.)
- Enhance system observability, ensuring real‑time monitoring and logging using tools like Datadog
- Work on event‑driven architectures, leveraging message queues (Pulsar, Kafka, RabbitMQ, SQS, etc.)
- Collaborate with engineers, stakeholders and external partners to meet high‑impact project deadlines
- Ensure system reliability and performance in high‑traffic, real‑time environments
Tech Stack And Skill Requirements
Required:
- Expert‑level Java 17+ & Spring Boot
- Proven ability to lead technical initiatives and mentor senior engineers
- Strong experience with AWS (or other major cloud providers)
- Familiarity with observability tools (e.g., Datadog, Prometheus, OpenTelemetry)
- Experience with designing and evolving microservices and complex distributed systems at scale
- Thorough understanding of monitoring, logging, and traceability
- Experience with event‑driven architectures (Kafka, RabbitMQ, SQS, etc.)
- Ability to bridge the gap between technical details and business requirements in a fast‑paced environment
Bonus Skills:
- Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and Infrastructure as Code (GitHub Actions, Terraform)
- Familiarity with containerisation and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes)
- Exposure to real‑time data processing, low‑latency systems and sports tech
Reward, Benefits, And Wellness
- Annual Leave: 25 days + 8 public holidays
- Enhanced Pension Scheme: 5% matching
- Flexible Working: Hybrid model (2 days in the office per week)
- Wellness: Complimentary Unmind app, onsite gym (Basingstoke)
- Exclusive Perks: Access to sporting events and tickets, Sony Group Company discounts
Equal Opportunity Employer
Hawk‑Eye is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We ensure all employees are treated fairly, regardless of gender, marital status, race, nationality, religion, age, disability, or union membership status. We value diversity and strive to create an environment where everyone can reach their full potential.
Apply Today! This is a fantastic opportunity to join Hawk‑Eye Innovations and make a significant impact in football technology. If you’re looking for a role where you can solve real‑world problems at scale, we’d love to hear from you!
Principal Java Engineer - Football Squad in London employer: Hawk-Eye Innovations
Contact Detail:
Hawk-Eye Innovations Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Java Engineer - Football Squad in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those at Hawk-Eye Innovations. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a GitHub or portfolio showcasing your Java projects, make sure to share it during interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your expertise and passion for coding.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your Java and Spring Boot knowledge. Practice coding challenges and be ready to discuss your past projects and how they relate to the role.
✨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 Java Engineer - Football Squad in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with Java and Spring Boot, as well as any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your achievements!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for football technology and how you can contribute to our team. Be genuine and let us know why you’re excited about this opportunity at Hawk-Eye Innovations.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, highlight specific examples where you've tackled complex problems or led technical initiatives. We love engineers who can think on their feet and bring innovative solutions to the table!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be one step closer to joining our amazing team at Hawk-Eye Innovations!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hawk-Eye Innovations
✨Know Your Tech Stack Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Java 17+, Spring Boot, and AWS. Brush up on your knowledge of observability tools like Datadog and event-driven architectures such as Kafka or RabbitMQ. Being able to discuss these technologies confidently will show that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled complex problems in previous roles, especially in high-pressure environments. Highlight your experience with designing scalable backend systems and how you’ve contributed to mission-critical projects. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive in a fast-moving setting.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Leadership
Since this role involves mentoring senior engineers and collaborating with various teams, be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you foster teamwork. Share specific instances where you’ve led technical initiatives or worked closely with stakeholders to meet project deadlines.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team’s current projects, challenges they face, and their approach to innovation. This not only shows your genuine interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values, especially around collaboration and ownership.