Principal Engineer

Principal Engineer

London Full-Time 48000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead architecture decisions and mentor teams to build impactful fintech solutions.
  • Company: Join a mission-driven fintech transforming finance for small businesses in the UK.
  • Benefits: Enjoy remote work, 25 days holiday, life assurance, and discounts with top retailers.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of finance while making a real difference for 5.5 million SMEs.
  • Qualifications: Must have 2+ years as a Principal Engineer or similar role with SaaS experience.
  • Other info: Collaborate with major banks and influence key platform decisions.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.

We’re working with a mission-driven fintech that’s solving a massive problem: small businesses — the backbone of the UK economy — are still underserved by traditional finance. This company is changing that, helping banks and lenders make faster, smarter, fairer credit decisions using real-time financial data.

Already trusted by 80+ major banks and lenders, they’re scaling fast — and now they’re looking for a Principal Engineer to shape the next stage of their platform and lead from the front.

Why This Role is Great
  • You’ll architect the core of the platform used by major UK banks and lenders
  • Get in early enough to influence big decisions — but with real traction already proven
  • Work across multiple product teams, mentoring, guiding, and building alongside them
  • Blend strategy and code — be the go-to technical voice in the room
  • Remote-first with the flexibility to come together in London when it counts
  • Genuinely meaningful work: better finance access for 5.5 million UK SMEs
What You’ll Be Doing
  • Lead architecture decisions and make them real — from developer-friendly APIs to scalable platform components
  • Guide cross-functional teams (frontend, backend, QA) with your experience and technical instincts
  • Collaborate closely with product, design, and commercial teams to build solutions that actually solve real problems
  • Balance pragmatism with perfection — make things work first, then make them beautiful
  • Mentor senior engineers and help scale a top-class team
  • Be a visible, respected voice across the business, bringing clarity and confidence to complex tech questions
  • Help shape hiring, team growth, and long-term engineering strategy
Tech Snapshot
  • Languages: Java, Kotlin, JavaScript
  • Frontend & Frameworks: React, Spring, Temporal
  • Databases: PostgreSQL, MongoDB
  • Cloud: AWS (heavy use), with IaC (Terraform)
  • Practices: TDD, CI/CD, clean architecture, pragmatic testing
  • Bonus Points: Data engineering or machine learning experience
What They’re Looking For
  • A Principal Engineer, Tech Lead, or Software Architect with at least 2 years at this level
  • You’ve built and scaled SaaS platforms — ideally in fintech or data-heavy domains
  • You’re a hands-on problem-solver who can step back, see the big picture, and then guide others through it
  • You’re confident working with stakeholders from execs to product managers — turning complexity into clarity
  • You care deeply about engineering craft, team health, and customer impact
  • You can mentor senior engineers and inspire confidence across the org
Perks & Benefits
  • Remote-first role with London-based meetups (office in Shoreditch)
  • 25 days holiday + public holidays
  • Life assurance (4x salary)
  • Pension contribution
  • Virtual GP & wellbeing support
  • Perks & discounts with top retailers (ASOS, Tesco, Amazon, etc.)
  • Referral bonus scheme
  • Regular socials & team events

If you’re a Principal Engineer who loves shaping product direction, building great tech, and mentoring high-performing teams — this is your moment to lead from the front and make a difference. Message me for a confidential chat or send over your CV — let’s talk.

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Contact Detail:

numi Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the fintech landscape, especially focusing on how small businesses interact with financial services. Understanding the unique challenges they face will help you articulate your vision for improving their access to finance during discussions.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your experience in building and scaling SaaS platforms by preparing specific examples of past projects. Be ready to discuss how you led architectural decisions and mentored teams, as this aligns closely with the role's requirements.

✨Tip Number 3

Engage with the company's mission by researching their current products and understanding their impact on SMEs. This will allow you to speak passionately about how you can contribute to their goals and enhance their platform.

✨Tip Number 4

Network with professionals in the fintech space, particularly those who have experience in architecture and team leadership. Building these connections can provide insights into the company culture and may even lead to referrals.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Engineer

Architectural Design
Team Leadership
Hands-on Development
Java
Kotlin
JavaScript
React
Spring Framework
PostgreSQL
MongoDB
AWS
Infrastructure as Code (Terraform)
Test-Driven Development (TDD)
Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)
Clean Architecture
Pragmatic Testing
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Mentoring and Coaching
Stakeholder Management
Problem-Solving Skills
Strategic Thinking

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Principal Engineer position. Familiarise yourself with the company's mission and how your skills align with their goals in fintech.

Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in architecture, team leadership, and fintech. Emphasise your hands-on experience with technologies mentioned in the job description, such as Java, Kotlin, and AWS.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for improving SME finance and your ability to lead technical teams. Use specific examples from your past work to demonstrate how you can contribute to the company's mission.

Showcase Your Technical Skills: In your application, include specific projects or achievements that demonstrate your expertise in building and scaling SaaS platforms. Highlight any experience with data engineering or machine learning if applicable, as these are considered bonus points.

How to prepare for a job interview at numi

✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise

As a Principal Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your deep understanding of architecture and design principles. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've led architectural decisions, particularly in fintech or data-heavy environments.

✨Emphasise Leadership Skills

This role requires guiding cross-functional teams. Share examples of how you've mentored engineers and influenced team dynamics. Highlight your ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders.

✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities

Prepare to discuss how you've tackled challenging problems in previous roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, focusing on your hands-on approach to finding solutions.

✨Align with Company Values

Research the company's mission to improve finance access for SMEs. During the interview, express your passion for meaningful work and how your values align with theirs. This will show that you're not just looking for a job, but a purpose-driven role.

Principal Engineer
numi
Location: London

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