At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and delivery of innovative green energy software solutions.
- Company: Join a mission-driven start-up focused on renewable energy technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, stock options, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Flexible remote work with opportunities for professional growth and mentorship.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the transition to a greener energy world.
- Qualifications: Strong Java and microservices experience; leadership skills in software engineering.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 110000 £ per year.
Principal Software Engineer with strong Java, Spring Boot or Micronaut experience is required to join an early-stage green energy technology start-up building advanced SaaS and data platform products for the renewable energy sector. You'll take a leading role in the design, architecture, delivery and support of a new microservices-based SaaS product, working across scalable distributed systems, cloud-native engineering, DevOps, Continuous Delivery, test automation and ideally some frontend development with React / MUI. This role will suit someone from a small, scale-up or product-focused SaaS software business who enjoys hands-on engineering, technical leadership and building resilient, maintainable software with real-world impact. The role is potentially remote, although candidates should be accessible to the central Cambridge office, which would be an advantage. Salary £80-110k + Bens + Stock.
Key skills required for the Principal Software Engineer:
- Proven experience taking a leading role in the design, architecture, delivery and support of scalable software products.
- Strong experience building and operating Java-based applications in an enterprise environment.
- Strong experience with Spring Boot or Micronaut, ideally as microservices within a SaaS platform.
- Deep understanding of distributed systems / event-driven systems, with strong opinions on resilience, scalability, maintainability and software quality.
- Experience shaping technical architecture and translating product requirements into pragmatic, well-structured technical designs.
- Ability to lead delivery of complex software features and services within a product-led, Continuous Delivery environment.
- Familiarity with container management solutions such as Kubernetes, ECS or similar, ideally within managed cloud platforms such as EKS, GKE or equivalent.
- Good understanding of DevOps practices, Continuous Delivery and modern cloud-native software delivery.
- Comfortable leading prototyping, feasibility studies and build / buy / partner recommendations for new product capabilities.
- Able to mentor, coach and upskill engineers through code reviews, pair programming, mob programming and technical guidance.
- Full stack awareness, with frontend development experience ideally using React / MUI or similar modern UI frameworks/component libraries.
- Experience working in a small, scale-up, start-up or product-focused SaaS software business.
- Any experience with Domain Driven Design, data engineering, data products, data pipelines, data mesh architectures, platform engineering, ML engineering, IoT hardware, embedded systems or firmware development would be advantageous.
- A genuine interest in renewable energy, climate technology or building software with meaningful impact.
What you'll do as a Principal Software Engineer:
- Take a leading role in the design, delivery and support of green energy software as part of a product-led, Continuous Delivery lifecycle.
- Shape the architecture and technical direction of a rapidly evolving SaaS product.
- Build new Java-based services, APIs and product features in collaboration with the wider engineering team.
- Work with product stakeholders to translate customer and business requirements into robust technical designs.
- Lead prototyping and feasibility work for new capabilities, including input into build, buy or partner decisions.
- Act as a technical subject matter expert and point of contact for internal and external stakeholders.
- Guide engineering practices across scalability, reliability, automated testing, code quality and maintainability.
- Support and coach other engineers through code reviews, pairing, mob programming and direct technical mentoring.
- Participate in product demos, customer feedback sessions, retrospectives and continuous improvement discussions.
- Write appropriate test automation to support the reliability of services and product features.
- Help operate and support the services you build as part of a team-wide engineering approach.
- Contribute more broadly to company goals where your experience, technical judgement and enthusiasm can make an impact.
Why this role?
This is a chance to join a mission-led, early-stage technology business at a formative stage and play a major role in shaping both the product and engineering culture. You'll work with a diverse team combining renewable energy domain expertise, modern software engineering and operational delivery experience. The environment is collaborative, product-focused and technically ambitious, giving you the opportunity to remain hands-on while influencing architecture, engineering standards and product direction. You'll be building software that supports the transition towards a greener energy world, with scope to contribute across data engineering, data mesh, ML-enabled applications, cloud-native platforms, IoT and distributed systems as the product evolves.
You do not need to tick every box. We are looking for a talented, pragmatic and enthusiastic Principal Software Engineer who wants to make a difference, lead by example and help build a high-quality engineering function.
Opus Resourcing acts as an employment agency with respect to permanent employment. Apply now or message us for more details. Referrals always welcome!
Principal Software Engineer in Cambridge employer: Opus Resourcing Ltd
Join a pioneering green energy technology start-up in Cambridge as a Principal Software Engineer, where you'll play a crucial role in shaping innovative SaaS products that drive the renewable energy sector forward. With a collaborative and technically ambitious work culture, this position offers hands-on engineering opportunities, mentorship roles, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on climate technology. Enjoy competitive salary packages, stock options, and the flexibility of remote work while contributing to a mission-led team dedicated to building a sustainable future.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech industry, especially those in green energy or SaaS. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving Java, Spring Boot, or microservices. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and how you think.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Practice explaining complex concepts simply, as you'll need to communicate effectively with both techies and non-techies.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love hearing from passionate candidates who want to make a difference in renewable energy.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience with Java, Spring Boot or Micronaut. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t be shy about showcasing your relevant projects and achievements!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you’re passionate about renewable energy and how your background makes you the perfect fit for this role. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality come through.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In your application, highlight your experience with microservices, cloud-native engineering, and DevOps practices. We’re looking for someone who can lead technical discussions, so don’t hesitate to mention any relevant tools or methodologies you’ve used.
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Opus Resourcing Ltd
✨Know Your Tech Stack Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Java, Spring Boot, and Micronaut. Be ready to discuss your experience with these technologies, especially in the context of building microservices. Prepare examples of how you've tackled challenges in scalable software design and architecture.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Software Engineer, you'll be expected to lead and mentor others. Think of specific instances where you've guided teams through complex projects or improved engineering practices. Highlight your ability to translate product requirements into technical designs and how you've influenced architectural decisions.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Green Tech
This role is all about making a real-world impact in renewable energy. Be prepared to share why you're passionate about climate technology and how your work can contribute to a greener future. This enthusiasm can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Technical Challenges
Expect to face technical questions or coding challenges during the interview. Brush up on your problem-solving skills and be ready to demonstrate your thought process. Familiarise yourself with concepts like distributed systems and DevOps practices, as these will likely come up in discussions.
