At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of an AI-first planning and simulation product using Angular.
- Company: Join IFS, a billion-dollar tech company with a global presence.
- Benefits: Flexible work environment, commitment to sustainability, and opportunities for personal impact.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team focused on collaboration and creativity.
- Why this job: Shape innovative solutions that tackle real-world challenges and make a difference.
- Qualifications: Hands-on Angular experience and a passion for AI-driven user experiences.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
We're building a new AI-first planning and simulation product from the ground up, and we need a Principal Engineer with current, hands-on Angular experience at a senior/lead level — this is non-negotiable. Backend language is flexible — Go, Python, Java or .NET/C# all count — but we do need genuine experience building AI-native user experiences: interfaces that generate themselves dynamically and respond to natural-language input, not just apps that call an AI API. This is enterprise SaaS work, not startup or greenfield-website territory, so a background in complex, data-heavy applications matters more than a trendy stack.
We are seeking a Lead / Principal Engineer (Developer) to build a new planning and simulation product from scratch. This is a hands-on technical leadership role with a strong focus on frontend engineering, combined with the full-stack capability to contribute to backend services and architectural ownership across UI, data-heavy workflows, and integrations with backend APIs.
You will work within a modern platform environment to deliver scalable, secure, and high-performance UI solutions, designing AI-first UI patterns that surface automated status updates and proactive suggestions rather than relying on manual, click-driven interactions. While experience in utilities or asset-intensive industries is valuable, the primary focus is on enterprise SaaS product development.
This role suits an engineer who wants to code, lead, and shape architecture — primarily on the frontend, with the range to work across the stack — while adopting AI-first and modern engineering practices, and who is comfortable working in a fast-evolving product environment where requirements are still being shaped.
Qualifications
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Building the frontend for a new planning and simulation product from scratch, with a strong focus on frontend architecture and delivery.
- Designing UI patterns for an AI-first workflow — surfacing automated status updates and proactive suggestions rather than manual click-driven interactions.
- Working closely with backend, UX and product while requirements are still being shaped.
- Handling large, data-heavy views (scheduling, capacity, simulation output) with a strong eye on performance.
- Delivering end-to-end features, from UI through APIs to data and deployment, and contributing to backend services in Go where needed.
- Building and maintaining enterprise integrations (internal/external systems, APIs, identity services).
- Contributing to cloud-native architecture (containers, CI/CD, observability).
- Working within and extending platform frameworks.
- Providing technical leadership: architecture decisions, code reviews, mentoring, standards.
- Ensuring quality, performance, security, and maintainability across the stack.
- Collaborating closely with Product, UX, and cross-functional teams.
Principal Engineer (Angular) || AI Staines-upon-Thames, England, United Kingdom Research and Development employer: IFS
As a leading employer in the tech industry, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and inclusive workplace where innovation thrives. Our hybrid work model supports diverse lifestyles, while our commitment to engineering excellence and responsible AI practices ensures that you will be part of meaningful projects that drive customer value. With ample opportunities for professional growth and mentorship within our Enterprise Asset Management team, you'll be empowered to develop your skills and make a significant impact in the world of software engineering.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Engineer (Angular) || AI Staines-upon-Thames, England, United Kingdom Research and Development
✨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 IFS 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
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to IFS.
✨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 IFS.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like IFS that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Engineer (Angular) || AI Staines-upon-Thames, England, United Kingdom Research and Development
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 IFS.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at IFS 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 IFS
✨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 IFS 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.
