Principal DevOps Engineer

Principal DevOps Engineer

Full-Time 120000 - 120000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
MCS Group | Your Specialist Recruitment Consultancy

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and improve DevOps architecture for seamless software delivery across teams.
  • Company: Global payments tech company with a focus on innovation and growth.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work options, and opportunities for professional development.
  • Other info: Join a collaborative team tackling real engineering challenges.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of software delivery in a dynamic engineering environment.
  • Qualifications: Strong DevOps background and experience with CI/CD pipelines and hybrid environments.

The predicted salary is between 120000 - 120000 £ per year.

We are working with a global payments technology company that is continuing to scale its engineering organisation following a number of strategic acquisitions. As the business grows, a key priority is bringing multiple engineering environments into a more consistent, reliable and well‑automated DevOps platform. To support this, they are hiring a Principal DevOps Engineer to take ownership of how software is delivered across the organisation – from developer laptop through to production. This is a senior individual contributor role, focused on architecture, delivery systems, and engineering fundamentals.

The Opportunity

This role sits at the centre of the DevOps and platform function. You will be responsible for designing and improving the systems that underpin software delivery, helping engineering teams build, deploy and scale software in a consistent and reliable way.

Key responsibilities

  • Designing DevOps architecture end-to-end
  • Defining and improving CI/CD pipelines and delivery workflows
  • Driving infrastructure automation and platform reliability
  • Supporting the unification of tooling and environments across teams
  • Working closely with developers to remove friction from the delivery process

This role is about solving software delivery problems at scale, not just operating infrastructure.

The Environment

The engineering environment is pragmatic and real‑world, shaped by multiple systems and technologies brought together through acquisition. You will be working across:

  • Hybrid infrastructure (on‑prem and cloud)
  • Data centre and legacy systems alongside modern platforms
  • Infrastructure as Code (Terraform)
  • Configuration management (Ansible)
  • CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions and related tooling)
  • Docker‑based application environments

This is not a Kubernetes‑led environment. The focus is on building simple, reliable, and well‑automated systems, rather than complex orchestration layers.

What They’re Looking For

The team strongly prefers engineers who started in software engineering and have moved into DevOps or platform roles. This is a role for someone who understands both:

  • how software is built and how it is delivered at scale

Key experience

  • Strong DevOps / platform engineering background
  • Experience designing CI/CD pipelines and delivery workflows
  • Infrastructure as Code (Terraform) and configuration management (Ansible)
  • Experience working across hybrid environments (on‑prem and cloud)
  • Strong scripting or development experience (Python, Java, Go, etc.)
  • Ability to design the full software delivery lifecycle

In practical terms, this means being able to define how code moves from:

  • Developer laptop
  • Build and test pipelines
  • Deployment environments
  • Production systems

Nice to Have

  • Experience working in complex or multi‑system environments
  • Exposure to integrating or standardising across different platforms
  • Experience simplifying or modernising delivery pipelines
  • Strong automation mindset

Why This Role

This is an opportunity to shape the DevOps platform within a growing global engineering organisation that is actively improving how software is built and delivered. You will be solving real engineering challenges across hybrid systems, helping bring structure and consistency to complex environments. If you enjoy working close to engineering teams, improving delivery workflows, and building platforms that make developers more effective, this is a strong opportunity.

How to Apply

To apply for this role, submit your CV via the application form provided. Alternatively, to speak in absolute confidence about this opportunity, please contact Jack Tyrrell via j.tyrrell@mcsgroup.jobs.

Disclaimer

If you have a disability which means you require assistance at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us directly to discuss. We are committed to providing equality of opportunity to all. Please note, we are receiving an exceptionally high number of applications at present and will be unable to shortlist candidates who are not meeting the specific requirements for this role. Due to the high volume of applications, we may be unable to provide individual feedback. We thank you in advance for your understanding.

Principal DevOps Engineer employer: MCS Group | Your Specialist Recruitment Consultancy

Join a well-established Managed Service Provider in County Tyrone, where you will be part of a friendly and collaborative team that values customer service and technical excellence. With opportunities for ongoing development and exposure to Level 2 responsibilities, this role is perfect for those looking to grow their IT support career in a supportive environment. Enjoy a competitive salary and the chance to work alongside experienced engineers dedicated to your professional growth.

MCS Group | Your Specialist Recruitment Consultancy

Contact Details:

MCS Group | Your Specialist Recruitment Consultancy Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal DevOps Engineer

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info or even a referral.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects and contributions. This gives potential employers a tangible look at what you can do, especially in DevOps and software delivery.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Practice common DevOps scenarios and be ready to discuss how you've solved real-world problems in previous roles.

Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in the role and the company.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal DevOps Engineer

DevOps Architecture Design
CI/CD Pipeline Development
Infrastructure Automation
Platform Reliability
Infrastructure as Code (Terraform)
Configuration Management (Ansible)
Hybrid Environment Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Principal DevOps Engineer role. Highlight your background in software engineering and any relevant DevOps experience to show us you’re the right fit.

Showcase Your Projects:Include specific examples of projects where you've designed CI/CD pipelines or worked with Infrastructure as Code. We love seeing how you've tackled real-world challenges, so don’t hold back!

Keep It Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant. We want to understand your experience without getting lost in technical terms.

Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of being noticed, make sure to submit your application through our website. This helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets to the right people quickly!

How to prepare for a job interview at MCS Group | Your Specialist Recruitment Consultancy

Know Your Tech Stack

Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, like Terraform, Ansible, and CI/CD pipelines. Brush up on your scripting skills in Python, Java, or Go, as these will likely come up during technical discussions.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous roles related to software delivery at scale. Think about how you’ve improved workflows or automated processes, and be ready to share those success stories.

Understand the Company’s Needs

Research the company’s recent acquisitions and how they might impact their engineering environment. This will help you tailor your answers to show how you can contribute to unifying tooling and environments across teams.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in the role and the company’s future. Inquire about their current DevOps challenges or how they envision the evolution of their platform architecture, showing that you’re keen to be part of their journey.