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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering strategy for John Lewis shops and contact centres, driving innovation and modernisation.
- Company: Join John Lewis, a renowned UK retailer known for its commitment to quality and customer service.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of retail technology with impactful solutions.
- Qualifications: Strong engineering background, leadership experience, and expertise in modern software techniques required.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements with occasional office visits; collaborative environment with key stakeholders.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
At a glance
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Contract type – This position is a permanent contract.
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Salary – £75,000 – £120,000
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Flexible Working: This is a hybrid working role, therefore your time will primarily be split between working from home (in the UK) and London Head Office. However, there will also be an expectation to visit other locations as the need arises.
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While most engineers visit the office once or twice a month, occasionally business needs may require more frequent attendance. Our offices are open five days a week for those who prefer to work from the office more regularly.
Key Responsibilities:
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As a Principal Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in aligning the engineering strategy and roadmap for John Lewis shops and contact centres with the overarching business objectives. Your influence will extend to key decisions that shape the operation of shop and contact centre systems and guide how engineering drives change across this complex business area. This will involve influencing how work is managedwhether agile, waterfall, or hybrid including the effectiveness and measurement of teams. This includes ensuring that engineering practices align with the broader Partnership engineering strategy and influencing team structure, balance, and resource models by providing key input on ways of working and team maturity to deliver optimal engineering capabilities
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A key objective of the role is to help lead the modernisation and maintainability of technology for this part of the business, including opportunities to solve business and customer problems through innovative technologies. Foundational to this will be helping to establish Product ways of working.
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To do this you will collaborate closely with key stakeholders such as Product Leads, Delivery and Operations Managers, Infrastructure Leads and Enterprise Architects as well as Senior Staff Engineers and specialist engineering teams. You will also work closely with other Principal Engineers who may be responsible for other business areas or for deep engineering specialisms such as cloud or data.
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Successful candidates will have a passion for using technology to deliver outstanding and innovative software solutions, and will have a track record of working with teams delivering complex, performant, high quality software.
Essential skills/experience youll need:
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Strong engineering background with real world experience of modern software engineering techniques such as Continuous Delivery and ideally experience of using strategic patterns of Domain Driven Design.
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Experience of the technical implementation of package solutions into complex environments.
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Experience in senior leadership role, leading across multiple teams, working with senior stakeholders and influencing multi-million pound investments in engineering
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Knowledge/experience of working with different architectural styles (e.g. monolith, service based, microservices) and integration patterns when working with different platforms (broker models, RESTful, streams, event based).
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Knowledge/experience of techniques used to increase resilience and/or scalability of systems.
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Experience of applying techniques from Lean and Systems Thinking.
Desirable skills/experience you may have
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Retail or Contact Centre experience
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Working with legacy systems
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Will have been a hands-on software engineer for part of their career.
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Engineering management role, working across multiple teams or architecture role working across a large part of an enterprise.
Next Steps
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The application form consists of a CV upload followed by application questions. Please ensure you refresh the page each time you complete a task to ensure you complete everything that you need to do before the closing date.
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If you are successful following your initial application, the next stages are: a screening interview followed by a formal interview and up to 2 informal interviews.
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You\’ll be asked about any adjustments you might need to support the recruitment process. Let us know, and we\’ll be sure to discuss it with you.
Principal Engineer (John Lewis Shop and Contact Centre) in South West London employer: John Lewis & Partners
Contact Detail:
John Lewis & Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Engineer (John Lewis Shop and Contact Centre) in South West London
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the engineering principles and technologies used at John Lewis. Understanding their approach to software engineering will help you align your experience with their needs and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of John Lewis, especially those in engineering roles. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your discussions during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership experience in detail. Since this role involves influencing multiple teams and stakeholders, be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully led projects and driven change in previous positions.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest trends in software engineering, particularly in areas like Continuous Delivery and Domain Driven Design. Being knowledgeable about these topics will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're committed to staying at the forefront of technology.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Engineer (John Lewis Shop and Contact Centre) in South West London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, take the time to thoroughly understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Principal Engineer position. Familiarise yourself with the technology used at John Lewis and how it aligns with their business objectives.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in software engineering, particularly in areas like Continuous Delivery and Domain Driven Design. Emphasise any leadership roles you've held and your ability to influence stakeholders.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for technology and innovative solutions. Discuss specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and deliver high-quality software.
Prepare for Interviews: If selected for an interview, prepare by reviewing common interview questions related to engineering management and technical implementation. Be ready to discuss your experience with different architectural styles and how you've applied Lean and Systems Thinking techniques.
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis & Partners
✨Understand the Company Culture
Before your interview, take some time to research John Lewis and its values. Understanding their commitment to partnership and customer service will help you align your answers with their culture, showing that you're a good fit for the team.
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with modern software engineering techniques, especially Continuous Delivery and Domain Driven Design. Highlight specific projects where you've successfully implemented these strategies, as this will demonstrate your capability for the Principal Engineer role.
✨Prepare for Leadership Questions
As this role involves senior leadership, expect questions about your experience leading teams and influencing stakeholders. Prepare examples that showcase your ability to manage multiple teams and drive significant investments in engineering.
✨Discuss Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
Since the role requires close collaboration with various stakeholders, be ready to talk about how you've worked with Product Leads, Delivery Managers, and other engineers in the past. Emphasise your communication skills and how you ensure alignment across different teams.
