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- Tasks: Lead the design of large-scale Java systems and mentor fellow engineers.
- Company: Global product company with a top-notch Belfast engineering team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity, hybrid work, and great benefits.
- Other info: Join a dynamic environment with opportunities for significant career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on complex projects at scale with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in Java, AWS expertise, and strong distributed systems knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
We're hiring a Principal Java Engineer for one of the most interesting product engineering teams in Belfast. This is a genuine principal-level role - not a senior engineer with a better title. You'll be setting technical direction, owning architecture decisions, and working on systems that operate at serious scale. If you're based in Belfast, deeply experienced in Java, and you live and breathe AWS - read on.
What you'll be doing:
- Leading the design and delivery of large-scale, distributed backend systems in Java
- Taking end-to-end ownership of complex engineering initiatives from conception through to production
- Defining and driving architectural standards across the engineering organisation
- Collaborating closely with product, data, and infrastructure teams to shape technical direction
- Mentoring and elevating engineers around you - this is a role with real influence
What we're looking for:
- 10+ years of Java development experience, including significant time working on distributed, cloud-native systems
- Deep, hands-on AWS expertise - not just familiarity. We're talking EC2, EKS, Lambda, SQS, S3, RDS, CloudFormation, and beyond
- Strong grasp of distributed systems design: event-driven architecture, microservices, fault tolerance, and performance at scale
- Experience with Spring Boot and modern Java frameworks
- Solid SQL and database design skills (PostgreSQL a plus)
- CI/CD maturity - Jenkins, GitHub, Terraform or similar
- The ability to communicate technical complexity clearly to both engineers and non-engineers
Nice to have:
- Experience with Kotlin or Scala
- Familiarity with data pipelines, reporting systems, or analytics platforms
- Prior experience in a staff or principal IC role
We're a global product company with a Belfast engineering team that punches well above its weight. You'll work on problems at a scale most Belfast roles simply don't offer - and you'll do it with a team that cares deeply about the craft. Hybrid working from our Belfast office. Competitive salary, equity, and benefits.
Benefits: Work From Home
Principal Software Engineer TLNT1_NI in Belfast employer: Ocho
Contact Detail:
Ocho Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer TLNT1_NI in Belfast
✨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 lead to referrals, which can significantly boost your chances of landing that Principal Java Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those involving AWS and distributed systems. This gives potential employers a tangible look at what you can do, making you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your Java and AWS knowledge. Practice coding challenges and system design questions that reflect the scale and complexity of the role. We want you to feel confident and ready to impress!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to 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 and contributing to exciting projects in Belfast.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer TLNT1_NI in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Java Skills: Make sure to highlight your extensive Java experience in your application. We want to see how you've tackled complex engineering challenges and what you've built with Java, especially in distributed systems.
Talk About AWS Like a Pro: Don’t just mention AWS; show us your deep expertise! Detail your hands-on experience with services like EC2, Lambda, and S3. We’re looking for someone who knows their way around cloud-native systems, so let that shine through.
Be Clear and Concise: When describing your past projects, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, especially when it comes to technical complexity. Remember, you’ll be communicating with both engineers and non-engineers, so tailor your language accordingly.
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 details about the role or our company culture.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ocho
✨Know Your Java Inside Out
Make sure you can discuss your extensive Java experience confidently. Brush up on the latest features and best practices, especially in relation to distributed systems and cloud-native applications. Be ready to share specific examples of projects where you've led the design and delivery.
✨Show Off Your AWS Expertise
Since deep AWS knowledge is a must, prepare to talk about your hands-on experience with services like EC2, Lambda, and S3. Think of scenarios where you've used these tools to solve complex problems or improve system performance. Real-world examples will make your expertise shine.
✨Communicate Clearly
You’ll need to explain technical concepts to both engineers and non-engineers. Practice breaking down complex ideas into simple terms. This will not only demonstrate your understanding but also show that you can bridge the gap between technical and non-technical teams.
✨Prepare for Architectural Discussions
As a Principal Engineer, you'll be making architectural decisions. Be ready to discuss your approach to defining architectural standards and how you've influenced engineering practices in previous roles. Think about how you can mentor others and elevate the team's capabilities.