At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a major platform transformation and modernise legacy systems into cloud-native architecture.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking tech company with a supportive engineering culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership bonus, and clear progression paths.
- Other info: Collaborate with experienced leaders and enjoy dynamic career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Take ownership of impactful projects and influence technical direction.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in software engineering with strong .NET and cloud experience.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Principal Software Architect / Engineering Manager Belfast | Hybrid | Permanent | Competitive + Leadership Bonus
This one is different. Most architecture roles are advisory. This one has teeth. Our client is on a genuine platform transformation journey, moving away from complex legacy systems toward a modern, cloud-native architecture, and they need someone who can lead that charge technically and culturally. If you’ve ever wanted real ownership over a major engineering transformation, this is it.
The Role
This is a senior leadership position combining architectural ownership with people leadership. You’ll define the long-term technical direction, guide teams through a significant legacy modernisation, and raise the engineering bar across the organisation. You’ll report into the CTO / Head of Engineering and work closely with senior stakeholders to ensure every architecture decision supports both product ambition and future scale. This isn’t a consultancy gig. You’ll own the outcomes.
What you’ll be doing:
- Architecture & Platform Modernisation
- Define and own the target architecture, leading the transition from legacy systems to modern, cloud-native platforms
- Drive the decomposition of monolithic systems into modular services, APIs, and event-driven components
- Collaborate with frontend and backend leaders to ensure scalability, performance, and consistency across the platform
- Introduce modern engineering practices and tooling to improve delivery quality, reliability, and developer experience
- Technical Leadership
- Provide architectural oversight across multiple teams and applications
- Lead platform evolution initiatives including cloud migration, containerisation, and CI/CD automation
- Identify and resolve complex technical and performance issues across distributed systems
- Champion software craftsmanship, testing strategies, and design patterns
- Engineering Management & Culture
- Lead and mentor engineering managers and senior engineers
- Support team growth, performance, and long-term capability development
- Establish and run architecture governance through review boards and technical working groups
- Help scale engineering teams across Belfast and international sites
- Delivery & Stakeholder Engagement
- Work with product, infrastructure, and senior leadership to define architectural roadmaps
- Own the delivery of strategic technical initiatives from design through to implementation
- Communicate architectural decisions clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Develop proofs of concept and technical spikes using modern languages and frameworks
What we need to see:
- Essential
- 10+ years of professional software engineering experience
- Strong .NET background with modern cloud-based architecture experience
- Proven track record leading large-scale platform modernisation
- Experience operating at Principal Engineer, Architect, Engineering Manager, or equivalent level
- Deep understanding of distributed systems, APIs, and event-driven architectures
- Hands-on experience with Azure or AWS and container platforms such as Kubernetes
- Tech Stack
- C# and .NET, legacy and modern frameworks
- Java and Python for architectural experimentation and prototyping
- Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines
- SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and performance optimisation
- Leadership
- Experience leading multiple engineering teams
- Strong mentoring and coaching capability
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts at senior leadership level
- Track record of building engineering standards, culture, and scalable processes
Why this role?
- Lead a major platform transformation with long-term, visible impact
- Real ownership and genuine influence over technical direction, not a seat at the table, the head of it
- A supportive engineering culture built on quality, trust, and delivery
- Clear progression paths across Principal, Head of Engineering, and Enterprise Architecture
- Work alongside experienced engineers and leaders who care about doing things properly
Why Ocho?
We represent the largest selection of technology roles of any recruitment firm in Northern Ireland. If this one isn’t the right fit, we’re always happy to meet for a coffee and talk through where you want to go in 2026. Reach out to Ryan Quinn directly on LinkedIn for a confidential conversation.
Skills: .Net, AWS, React
Benefits: Bonus
Principal.Net Developer ( AI ) TLNT1_NI in Belfast employer: Ocho
Join a forward-thinking company in Belfast that offers a unique opportunity to lead a significant platform transformation, moving towards modern, cloud-native architecture. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and a supportive engineering culture, you will have real ownership over technical direction and the chance to mentor future leaders. Enjoy competitive compensation, leadership bonuses, and clear progression paths in a collaborative environment that values quality and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal.Net Developer ( AI ) TLNT1_NI in Belfast
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who might know about opportunities at companies you're interested in. A personal referral can make all the difference in getting noticed.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to architecture and leadership. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable discussing your experience and vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or a GitHub repository that highlights your projects, especially those involving cloud-native architectures and modern engineering practices. This will give you an edge when discussing your technical skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We have a range of roles that might suit your skills, and applying directly can sometimes speed up the process. Plus, we’re always here to help you find the right fit!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal.Net Developer ( AI ) TLNT1_NI in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Transformation:When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for leading major engineering transformations. Share specific examples of how you've successfully navigated similar journeys in the past, and make it clear that you're ready to take ownership of this exciting challenge.
Highlight Your Technical Expertise:Make sure to showcase your strong .NET background and experience with cloud-native architectures. We want to know about your hands-on experience with Azure or AWS, so don’t hold back on those details—this is your chance to shine!
Demonstrate Leadership Skills:Since this role involves mentoring and leading teams, include examples of how you've supported team growth and established engineering standards. We’re looking for someone who can communicate complex concepts clearly, so highlight any experience you have in this area.
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 ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us that you’re proactive and serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ocho
✨Know Your Architecture Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in modern cloud-native architectures and the transition from legacy systems. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've led similar transformations, as this role demands a deep understanding of architectural principles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This position requires strong leadership capabilities, so be ready to share your experiences in mentoring and guiding engineering teams. Highlight instances where you've successfully built a culture of quality and trust within your teams.
✨Communicate Clearly with Stakeholders
You’ll need to convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. Practice explaining your past projects and decisions in a way that’s accessible to everyone, ensuring you can engage effectively with senior leadership.
✨Prepare for Technical Challenges
Expect to face questions about distributed systems, APIs, and performance optimisation. Brush up on your knowledge of Azure or AWS, and be ready to discuss how you’ve tackled complex technical issues in previous roles.
