Principal Software Engineer

Principal Software Engineer

Banbury Full-Time 63000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the evolution of a data platform and mentor fellow engineers.
  • Company: Join a fast-evolving tech organisation impacting millions with innovative consumer tech.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a £105,000 salary, 33 days holiday, and comprehensive private healthcare.
  • Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team focused on quality and customer outcomes.
  • Qualifications: Strong experience in building data platforms and technical leadership.
  • Other info: Remote or hybrid work options available; no need to know every tool.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 84000 £ per year.

My client is hiring a Principal Software Engineer – Data, to help shape the future of a high-impact, consumer-facing platform used by millions each month. This is a rare opportunity to join a well-established but fast-evolving tech organisation that’s doubling down on modern architecture, engineering autonomy, and data-driven product development.

In this role, you’ll take ownership of the data platform’s evolution, influence architectural decisions, and collaborate closely with engineering, product, and commercial teams to deliver reliable, scalable systems that make a real difference to users’ lives.

Why this role is exciting

  • Real ownership over platform and architectural decisions
  • Deep collaboration with product, design, and commercial stakeholders
  • A mission-led team that cares about technical quality and customer outcomes
  • Strong focus on delivery health, data observability, and engineering best practice
  • A role designed for someone who enjoys building, influencing, and mentoring

What you’ll do

  • Design and evolve modern data architecture (data mesh, lakes, dimensional modelling)
  • Build robust, event-driven pipelines with Python, SQL, and cloud-native tooling
  • Improve the delivery and reliability of data products and observability tooling
  • Lead by example: mentor engineers, contribute to technical standards, and drive team alignment
  • Work closely with stakeholders to translate business needs into scalable solutions

Tech environment includes

  • Python, SQL, dbt, Databricks, BigQuery, Delta Lake, Spark, Kafka, Parquet, Iceberg

(If you haven’t worked with every tool, that’s totally fine — my client values depth of thinking and engineering craft over buzzword familiarity.)

What they’re looking for

  • A strong background in building and scaling data platforms in cloud-native environments
  • Experience designing data models, pipelines, and architectural patterns at scale
  • A track record of technical leadership, mentoring, and influencing beyond your own team
  • Familiarity with delivery metrics (DORA ideally, but not a must have), observability, and modern DevOps principles
  • A collaborative mindset, a bias for action, and a desire to work on meaningful products

Benefits include

  • £105,000 salary
  • 33 days holiday
  • 12 weeks maternity/paternity leave
  • Comprehensive private healthcare (incl. dental & optical)

Sound interesting? If so, please apply to hear more!

Principal Software Engineer employer: Identify Solutions

Join a forward-thinking tech organisation that prioritises engineering autonomy and data-driven development, offering a collaborative work culture where your contributions directly impact millions of users. With exceptional benefits including a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and comprehensive healthcare, this role provides ample opportunities for professional growth and mentorship in a mission-led environment focused on technical excellence.
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Contact Detail:

Identify Solutions Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific technologies mentioned in the job description, such as Python, SQL, and cloud-native tools. Even if you haven't used all of them, demonstrating a solid understanding of their applications in data architecture will show your depth of thinking.

✨Tip Number 2

Highlight your experience in building and scaling data platforms during networking opportunities or interviews. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you influenced architectural decisions or mentored other engineers, as this aligns closely with what they are looking for.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your collaborative mindset by preparing examples of how you've worked with cross-functional teams in the past. This role requires close collaboration with product, design, and commercial stakeholders, so emphasising your teamwork skills will be beneficial.

✨Tip Number 4

Research the company's mission and values to understand their focus on technical quality and customer outcomes. Tailor your discussions to reflect how your personal values align with theirs, which can help you stand out as a candidate who truly fits their culture.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer

Data Architecture Design
Cloud-Native Environments
Event-Driven Pipelines
Python Programming
SQL Proficiency
Data Modelling
Technical Leadership
Mentoring Skills
Collaboration with Stakeholders
Data Observability
DevOps Principles
Experience with Data Tools (e.g., dbt, Databricks, BigQuery)
Scalable Solutions Development
Problem-Solving Skills
Agile Methodologies

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in building and scaling data platforms, particularly in cloud-native environments. Emphasise any leadership roles you've held and specific projects that demonstrate your technical skills.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for data architecture and how your background aligns with the company's mission. Mention specific technologies listed in the job description that you have experience with, and explain how you can contribute to their goals.

Showcase Your Technical Skills: If applicable, include links to any projects or contributions you've made that showcase your expertise in Python, SQL, or other relevant tools. This could be GitHub repositories, articles, or presentations that highlight your work.

Highlight Collaboration Experience: Since the role involves working closely with various stakeholders, make sure to mention any past experiences where you successfully collaborated with product, design, or commercial teams. This will demonstrate your ability to translate business needs into scalable solutions.

How to prepare for a job interview at Identify Solutions

✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise

Be prepared to discuss your experience with data platforms and cloud-native environments. Highlight specific projects where you've designed data models or built pipelines, and be ready to explain your architectural decisions in detail.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

Since the role involves mentoring and influencing others, share examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. Discuss your approach to fostering collaboration and driving alignment among stakeholders.

✨Understand the Company's Mission

Research the company's goals and values, especially their focus on customer outcomes and technical quality. Be ready to articulate how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle real-world challenges. Think about scenarios where you've had to make architectural decisions or improve delivery health, and prepare to discuss your thought process.

Principal Software Engineer
Identify Solutions
Location: Banbury
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