At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and evolve Masabi's platform architecture while leading technical decisions.
- Company: Join Masabi, a diverse tech company revolutionising fare payment globally.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private healthcare, and a £1000 training allowance.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive culture that values innovation and diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public transport solutions while working remotely.
- Qualifications: Experience in distributed systems and cloud platforms, with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
This job is with Masabi, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.
About Us: At Masabi, we're driving the fare payment revolution, powering the journeys of millions all over the world. We build fare collection platforms that allow riders to seamlessly buy and present tickets for public transport either on their mobile phones, from a ticket machine, or even by tapping their bank card to travel. Our Justride platform is used in over 250 locations globally, including some of the largest cities in the world. With our industry-first mobile ticketing SDK, we've partnered with large players in the transport space, including Uber, Moovit and Transit. Your own journey is important to us too. Choosing a role here means joining a network of innovators from all walks of life; a group of passionate individuals who consistently deliver. Here, you'll find the tools you need to build the career you want. Whether you're taking the direct route or trying a new path, we'll support you no matter what.
The Role: We're looking for a Principal Engineer to join Masabi's Architecture team. This is a senior role for someone who combines deep technical expertise with strong judgement and the ability to operate across teams. You'll help shape the technical direction of Masabi's platform while staying close enough to the detail to design, review and deliver meaningful technical work. Working across the engineering organisation, you'll act as a senior technical leader: defining and evolving architecture, guiding complex decisions, and contributing hands-on where it matters most. The role suits someone who can move between system-level thinking and implementation, someone who understands trade-offs, can navigate ambiguity, and helps turn complex or loosely defined problems into clear, practical technical approaches.
Location: This role is available on a remote basis for candidates located anywhere in the UK. Candidates based in London may also work in a hybrid model, with occasional travel to the office.
Responsibilities:
- Shape Masabi's platform architecture, including platform blueprint definition, standards and best practices
- Design and deliver scalable, robust, cost efficient services aligned with platform blueprint
- Stay hands-on in code and technical delivery, including reviews and targeted contributions
- Identify and work through complex platform challenges related to scalability, performance, resilience and cost
- Act as a senior technical advisor across engineering teams, supporting and influencing technical decisions and ensuring Masabi standards are followed
- Shape and contribute to technical roadmap planning and prioritisation of platform improvements
- Support RFP estimation and technical scoping for complex initiatives
- Produce clear, high-quality technical documentation and architecture artefacts
- Improve how architecture is understood and applied across engineering and the wider business
- Contribute to and help shape technical forums and working groups, including areas such as API and architecture governance
About You: You bring strong experience designing and evolving distributed systems and microservices architectures. You've operated at Principal or Staff level, shaping technical direction across multiple teams or domains. You are comfortable staying hands-on, contributing in code, design and delivery when needed. You have strong experience with cloud platforms (AWS preferred) and modern infrastructure practices. You've worked on systems where scale, reliability, performance and cost trade-offs matter, and can navigate those decisions thoughtfully. You have proven experience in data architecture (e.g. data platforms, pipelines, warehousing or data lakes). You can take loosely defined (early stage) business or technical problems and turn them into clear, actionable technical approaches. You communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively, and produce structured documentation that helps both technical and non-technical audiences make decisions. You've contributed to engineering standards, architecture patterns or platform direction. Interest in or exposure to AI-enabled systems, particularly understanding architectural implications in production.
Nice To Have:
- Experience with REST API design in complex, multi-service environments
- Experience breaking monolithic applications into microservices architectures
- Experience with event-driven architectures (e.g. Kafka, schema governance)
- Experience improving cloud cost and system efficiency at scale
- Familiarity with a range of tools and technologies including: Development: Kotlin, Java; Data storage: DynamoDB, MySQL; Infrastructure as code and CI/CD: Terraform, GitLab CI/CD
You don't need to have experience in every area listed above. If you bring strong fundamentals, good judgement and a willingness to learn, we'd still love to hear from you.
Some of Our Benefits:
- 25 days of holiday per year plus the option to buy another 5 days pro-rated
- Private Healthcare via AXA, including pre-existing conditions and mental health
- Life Insurance
- Menopause support
- Choice of workstation
- Ability to work for up to 3 months per year from any country in the world (certain limitations)
- Pension scheme
- Training allowance of up to £1000 per year
- £200 annual allowance for any home office need or improvement
- Enhanced family leave pay
- Cycle to work scheme
- Regular social gatherings with a monthly allowance for each employee
- Fun and collaborative environment with a focus on making a difference in the world
Careers at Masabi are for people going places - driven by a mission to make transit fair and accessible for all. We are a network of innovators from all walks of life, passionate about making a difference. At Masabi, we operate with openness and trust, creating an environment where everyone feels empowered to bring their whole, authentic selves to work. Whoever you are, just be yourself. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups, including disabled and neurodivergent people, and can make adjustments at any stage of the process. You're also welcome to share your pronouns whenever you feel comfortable. Together, we simplify journeys, remove barriers, and improve daily life for millions.
Why Join Masabi? Driven by Purpose - We believe in journeys made simple. The work isn't always easy, but the best things never are. Encouraged to Accelerate - Masabi is going places and our people are in the driving seat. Whether you're taking the direct route or exploring new paths, we support your journey. Advancing with Empathy - We put people first and foster a culture of learning, not blame. No matter your cargo, we share the load. We're already powering journeys - are you ready to join us?
Principal Engineer employer: Masabi
At Masabi, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive employer that champions diversity and innovation. Our remote work flexibility allows you to thrive from anywhere in the UK, while our commitment to employee growth is evident through our generous training allowances and supportive work culture. Join a passionate team dedicated to making transit accessible for all, where your contributions will directly impact millions of journeys worldwide.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Masabi on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills. Since this role is all about shaping architecture and making complex decisions, be ready to discuss your past experiences and how they relate to Masabi's mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for innovation! During interviews, share examples of how you've contributed to tech advancements in your previous roles. Masabi loves a candidate who can think outside the box and drive change.
✨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, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Masabi team.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role and our mission shine through. We want to see how your values align with ours at Masabi, so don’t hold back on sharing why you’re excited about this opportunity!
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience with distributed systems and microservices architectures. We love seeing how your past work relates to the Principal Engineer role, so be specific about your achievements and contributions.
Be Clear and Concise:In your written application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language to explain complex ideas, especially when discussing technical concepts. We appreciate well-structured documentation that can be understood by both technical and non-technical audiences.
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 the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Masabi!
How to prepare for a job interview at Masabi
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a Principal Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your deep technical expertise. Brush up on distributed systems, microservices architectures, and cloud platforms like AWS. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've shaped technical direction and how you navigated complex challenges.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience
Masabi values hands-on contributions, so be prepared to share examples of when you've been directly involved in coding or technical delivery. Highlight any instances where your input made a significant impact on the project’s success, especially in terms of scalability and performance.
✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively
You’ll need to convey complex ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences. Practice explaining your past projects and decisions in a way that’s easy to understand. Bring along any structured documentation you've created to showcase your ability to produce clear, high-quality technical artefacts.
✨Embrace the Company Culture
Masabi is all about inclusivity and innovation. Familiarise yourself with their mission to make transit fair and accessible. During the interview, express your alignment with their values and how you can contribute to a collaborative environment. Don’t forget to mention any experience you have with diverse teams!
