At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and implementation of cutting-edge cloud infrastructure and engineering capabilities.
- Company: Join a highly ambitious organisation shaping a mission-critical data platform.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid work model, and opportunity for significant impact.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for mentorship and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on technology strategy and engineering foundations.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in cloud-native systems and strong Python expertise.
We are seeking an experienced Principal / Lead Engineer to join a highly ambitious organisation building a large-scale, mission-critical data and technology platform. This is a unique opportunity to join at the earliest stages of a major programme and play a key role in shaping its technical foundations.
Working closely with the CTO and a small team of senior engineers, you will lead the design and implementation of core infrastructure, establish engineering standards and practices, and make architectural decisions that will have long-term strategic impact. If you enjoy solving complex technical challenges, influencing technology strategy, and creating robust engineering foundations, this role offers an exceptional opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Role & Responsibilities
- Technical Leadership
- Lead the design and implementation of foundational platform infrastructure and engineering capabilities.
- Define architectural patterns, engineering standards, and best practices that will guide future development.
- Partner closely with the CTO and senior stakeholders to make and document key technical decisions.
- Promote secure-by-design principles across all aspects of platform development.
- Establish and maintain core engineering tooling, including source control, CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure-as-code, and automated testing frameworks.
- Platform Engineering
- Design and implement identity and access management solutions with robust authentication and authorisation controls.
- Build and manage cloud infrastructure using modern infrastructure-as-code approaches.
- Develop audit, workflow, and operational capabilities to support governance and compliance requirements.
- Implement networking, monitoring, and security controls for highly secure environments.
- Evaluate and integrate appropriate open-source technologies and third-party components.
- Contribute to the design and delivery of scalable, resilient, and maintainable distributed systems.
- Collaboration & Team Development
- Act as a senior technical contributor within a high-performing engineering team.
- Mentor engineers and help establish a strong engineering culture as the organisation grows.
- Collaborate with product, design, and delivery teams to ensure technology solutions align with business objectives.
- Engage with external partners, suppliers, and stakeholders where required.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Proven experience leading or making significant contributions to complex distributed, cloud-native, or federated systems.
- Strong software engineering expertise in Python, including backend development, automation, and infrastructure tooling.
- Hands-on experience with at least one major cloud platform (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud).
- Strong experience implementing Infrastructure as Code using tools such as Terraform or equivalent.
- Experience designing and building authentication and authorisation systems, including modern identity standards and policy-based access controls.
- Solid understanding of data storage architectures and the trade-offs between different storage and query patterns.
- Experience establishing CI/CD pipelines and engineering best practices within modern software environments.
- Ability to work effectively in fast-moving environments with evolving requirements and limited precedent.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Desirable Skills & Experience
- Experience building secure, highly regulated, or mission-critical platforms.
- Familiarity with federated architectures and distributed data access models.
- Experience designing solutions with strong governance, auditability, and security requirements.
- Knowledge of privacy-preserving technologies and secure computing environments.
- Experience evaluating, adopting, or contributing to open-source technologies.
- Background working within complex stakeholder environments undergoing significant transformation.
Principal / Lead Engineer employer: Intec Select Ltd
Join a forward-thinking organisation in London that prioritises innovation and technical excellence, offering a collaborative work culture where your contributions will directly shape the future of a mission-critical data platform. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to mentor fellow engineers and establish best practices while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid work model. This role not only provides competitive rates but also positions you at the forefront of cutting-edge technology, making it an ideal environment for those seeking meaningful and impactful work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal / Lead Engineer
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend meetups, webinars, or tech conferences. You never know who might be looking for a Principal/Lead Engineer like you!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Don’t just talk about your experience; demonstrate it! Share your projects on GitHub or write blog posts about your work with Python, Terraform, or cloud solutions. This will make you stand out to potential employers.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your problem-solving skills and understanding of cloud infrastructure. Practice explaining complex concepts simply, as you'll need to communicate effectively with both techies and non-techies.
✨Apply Through Us!
Check out our website for the latest job openings. Applying directly through us not only gives you access to exclusive roles but also shows your commitment to joining our ambitious team!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal / Lead Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your expertise in Python, cloud platforms, and infrastructure-as-code to show us you’re the right fit for the Principal / Lead Engineer role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our mission. Share specific examples of your technical leadership and problem-solving skills to grab our attention!
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on relevant projects, don’t hold back! Include links or descriptions of your work with cloud infrastructure, CI/CD pipelines, or any innovative solutions you've implemented. We love seeing real-world applications of your skills.
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. Plus, it makes it easier for us to keep track of all the amazing talent out there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Intec Select Ltd
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Python, cloud platforms, and Terraform. Brush up on your knowledge of infrastructure-as-code and be ready to discuss how you've implemented these technologies in past projects. The interviewers will want to see that you can lead technical discussions with confidence.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your experience in establishing engineering standards and making architectural decisions. Be ready to discuss how you’ve mentored others and contributed to a strong engineering culture.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with the company’s mission and how the role fits into their broader goals. Be prepared to discuss how your technical decisions can align with business objectives and contribute to the success of the organisation. This shows you’re not just a techie but also a strategic thinker.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask you to solve complex technical challenges on the spot. Practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, especially when discussing past experiences related to security, compliance, and governance.
