Principal Software Engineer in Southampton

Principal Software Engineer in Southampton

Southampton Full-Time 75000 - 90000 € / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Ocean Infinity

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and innovate in software engineering, tackling complex challenges and mentoring teams.
  • Company: Ocean Infinity, a forward-thinking tech company with a focus on inclusivity and environmental responsibility.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary up to €90,000, hybrid work, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Join a culture that values safety, equality, and continuous improvement.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while working with cutting-edge technologies.
  • Qualifications: 6+ years of experience in software engineering and strong problem-solving skills.

The predicted salary is between 75000 - 90000 € per year.

Ocean Infinity is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to provide technical leadership and hands‑on engineering across our core software platforms. Location: Porto, Portugal (hybrid working arrangement). Reporting directly to the Head of Software.

What You Will Do

  • Act as a hands‑on technical leader, focusing on coding, complex problem-solving, and setting engineering direction.
  • Design and deliver high‑quality, efficient, and scalable software solutions across backend and distributed systems.
  • Collaborate with cross‑functional teams—Product, Architecture, Security, Infrastructure—to define and align technical solutions with business strategy.
  • Set and uphold coding standards, engineering best practices, and quality benchmarks across teams.
  • Tackle complex technical challenges, providing innovative and pragmatic solutions.
  • Mentor and guide senior and junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.
  • Work closely with delivery teams to understand technical challenges, remove blockers, and contribute directly to solving critical issues.
  • Ensure architectural and technical alignment is understood and followed consistently across teams.
  • Document technical solutions, patterns, and processes to support knowledge sharing and long‑term maintainability.

Who You Are

You are a highly experienced software engineer who leads through technical depth, credibility, and example. You are comfortable operating at both strategic and implementation levels, take ownership of complex decisions, and understand the wider impact of engineering choices. You enjoy mentoring others, raising standards, and building systems that are robust, scalable, and fit for purpose.

Qualifications

  • Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
  • Significant experience (typically 6+ years) at Senior, Staff, or Principal Engineer level.
  • Deep technical proficiency across modern programming languages, development tools, and frameworks.
  • Strong experience designing and building backend systems, including microservices and containerised applications (Docker, Kubernetes).
  • Solid understanding of relational and NoSQL databases.
  • Experience designing and consuming APIs, including RESTful architectures.
  • Experience with event‑driven architectures or event‑streaming platforms.
  • Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to resolve complex technical issues.
  • Proven ability to mentor engineers and influence technical direction across teams.
  • Working knowledge of Agile development methodologies.

Desirable

  • Experience with distributed systems and real‑time data processing.
  • Familiarity with application and platform security concepts.
  • Experience working with IoT technologies, including communication protocols and cloud platforms.
  • Knowledge of networking concepts and secure system design.
  • Fluent written and spoken English.

Salary

Porto – Up to €90,000. Salary varies by location and experience; it is based on skills, abilities, and required experience.

What You Can Expect

At Ocean Infinity, we are committed to creating equal opportunities for all, celebrating differences, and fostering an inclusive culture. Our values—safety, equality, and environmental responsibility—drive our work. We offer opportunities for professional development across a variety of disciplines and a team that harnesses technology to disrupt a traditional industry.

Principal Software Engineer in Southampton employer: Ocean Infinity

Ocean Infinity is an exceptional employer that prioritises technical excellence and innovation in a collaborative environment. Located in the vibrant city of Porto, Portugal, we offer a hybrid working arrangement that promotes work-life balance while providing ample opportunities for professional growth and mentorship. Our commitment to inclusivity and continuous improvement ensures that every team member can thrive and contribute to meaningful projects that make a difference in the industry.

Ocean Infinity

Contact Detail:

Ocean Infinity Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer in Southampton

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with online communities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, contributions, and any cool tech you've worked on. This is your chance to demonstrate your technical prowess and problem-solving abilities beyond just a CV.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and coding challenges. We recommend using platforms that simulate real interview scenarios to get comfortable with the pressure and format.

Tip Number 4

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 our team at Ocean Infinity.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer in Southampton

Technical Leadership
Coding
Complex Problem-Solving
Software Design
Backend Systems Development
Microservices
Containerised Applications

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Principal Software Engineer role. Highlight your technical leadership, coding expertise, and any relevant projects that showcase your problem-solving abilities.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for Ocean Infinity. Share your passion for software engineering, your experience with backend systems, and how you can contribute to our mission of innovation.

Showcase Your Technical Skills:In your application, don't shy away from detailing your technical proficiencies. Mention specific programming languages, frameworks, and tools you've mastered, especially those related to microservices and containerised applications.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, we can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and you can easily keep track of your application status!

How to prepare for a job interview at Ocean Infinity

Know Your Tech Inside Out

As a Principal Software Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate deep technical proficiency. Brush up on modern programming languages, backend systems, and microservices. Be ready to discuss your past projects and the specific technologies you used—this will show your hands-on experience and technical depth.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Expect to tackle complex technical challenges during the interview. Prepare examples of how you've approached and solved difficult problems in previous roles. Highlight your analytical skills and be ready to think on your feet—this is crucial for a role that involves setting engineering direction.

Emphasise Collaboration and Mentorship

Ocean Infinity values teamwork and mentorship. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with cross-functional teams and mentored other engineers. Share specific instances where your guidance led to improved standards or successful project outcomes—this will showcase your leadership abilities.

Align with Company Values

Familiarise yourself with Ocean Infinity's values of safety, equality, and environmental responsibility. During the interview, express how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to fostering an inclusive culture. This will demonstrate that you're not just a technical fit but also a cultural one.