At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead .NET engineering, shape technical direction, and influence AI integration in software.
- Company: International software house in Manchester with a focus on SaaS solutions.
- Benefits: Up to £85,000 salary, hybrid work, 25 days holiday, and private healthcare.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of a growing SaaS platform with AI.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a Principal or Lead .NET Engineer with SaaS expertise.
- Other info: Opportunity for clear progression and mentorship in a dynamic environment.
The predicted salary is between 68000 - 102000 £ per year.
Manchester City Centre (Hybrid – 3 days onsite)
Up to £85,000
Are you a Principal or Lead-level .NET Engineer who enjoys shaping technical direction, solving complex integration challenges, and elevating engineering standards across business? Do you want to influence how AI is thoughtfully embedded into a modern software product, without being expected to be an AI researcher?
We’re partnered with an international software house based in Manchester that’s continuing to scale its global SaaS offering. They’ve just created a Principal Engineer role to provide technical leadership across their platform, integrations, and future-facing initiatives — including the practical use of AI across the business.
As their Principal Engineer, your primary focus remains hands-on .NET engineering, but with wider ownership and influence in:
- Provide technical leadership across the core SaaS platform and integrations
- Design and build scalable, API-first .NET backends
- Partner with product, architecture, and leadership to identify and implement high-value AI use cases safely and pragmatically
- Act as the technical authority for complex integrations, bespoke client needs, and platform extensibility
- Influence architecture, coding standards, and long-term technical strategy
- Mentor senior engineers and raise overall engineering standards
What They’re Looking For:
- Proven experience as a Principal, Lead, or very Senior .NET Engineer with a background building and scaling SaaS platforms
- Deep experience with APIs, integrations, and distributed systems
- Comfortable influencing technical direction and working with senior stakeholders
- Exposure to AI-enabled features (or curiosity and pragmatism around adopting AI responsibly)
What’s in It for You?
- Up to £85,000 salary (depending on experience)
- Hybrid working — 3 days per week in a genuinely impressive Manchester city centre office
- 25 days holiday, enhanced pension, private healthcare, and more
- Clear progression and influence — this is a true principal role, not a dressed-up senior position
This is a rare opportunity to step into a Principal Engineer role where you’ll shape both the technical foundations and the future direction of a growing SaaS platform — including how AI is used properly, not just for buzzwords.
Sounds exciting? Apply now to find out more.
Principal Engineer in Manchester employer: Maxwell Bond
Contact Detail:
Maxwell Bond Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Engineer in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage in online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a Principal Engineer role or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your experience with .NET, APIs, and AI integrations. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your work speak for itself.
✨Tip Number 3
Ace the interview by being prepared! Research the company’s tech stack and think about how you can contribute to their SaaS platform. Be ready to discuss your vision for integrating AI responsibly into their products.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for talented individuals like you to join our team and help shape the future of engineering.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Engineer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Principal Engineer role. Highlight your .NET expertise, leadership experience, and any work you've done with AI or SaaS platforms.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've influenced technical direction and solved complex integration challenges in your previous roles.
Showcase Your Technical Leadership: In your application, emphasise your experience in mentoring engineers and raising engineering standards. We want to see how you've shaped teams and contributed to a positive engineering culture.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates about the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Maxwell Bond
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a Principal Engineer, you’ll need to demonstrate your deep understanding of .NET and SaaS platforms. Brush up on your technical knowledge, especially around APIs and integrations, so you can confidently discuss how you've tackled complex challenges in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role is all about influencing technical direction and mentoring others. Prepare examples of how you've led teams or projects, and be ready to discuss your approach to raising engineering standards and fostering collaboration among senior engineers.
✨Be Ready to Discuss AI Pragmatically
While you won’t be expected to be an AI researcher, having a solid grasp of how AI can be integrated into software products is crucial. Think about practical use cases you've encountered or researched, and be prepared to share your thoughts on adopting AI responsibly.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the company’s vision for their SaaS platform and how they see AI playing a role. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if the company aligns with your career goals.