At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead system design and platform evolution for innovative advertising technology.
- Company: Fast-growing startup focused on creating a better ad-funded internet.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, ~33 days holiday, and recognition as a top small business.
- Why this job: Shape the future of advertising tech while working with cutting-edge AI tools.
- Qualifications: Experience in cloud architecture, particularly AWS, and strong system design skills.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team at a pivotal moment for impactful engineering decisions.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Picnic’s mission is to drive a higher-quality ad-funded internet. Today, a large proportion of digital advertising is ineffective, intrusive, and poorly optimised. Picnic builds technology that helps brands make better decisions about where and how their advertising is shown - improving outcomes for users, advertisers and publishers.
We’re a fast-growing, founder-led startup. Over the last couple of years, we’ve built a strong platform foundation and developed clear conviction around our product direction. We’re now entering a new stage where architectural coherence, reliability and scale matter as much as innovation.
To support this next phase, we’re looking for a Principal Engineer to take ownership of system design, platform evolution and technical quality across the business.
What will you be doing as Principal Engineer?
- Act as architectural steward of the platform, ensuring scalability, reliability, performance, and cost efficiency as complexity increases.
- Design and evolve backend systems, data pipelines, real-time services, and APIs to support both internal capabilities and external customers.
- Introduce clear engineering principles and patterns to reduce duplication and architectural drift across workstreams.
- Strengthen AWS architecture and cloud cost efficiency through thoughtful service design, right-sizing, and operational discipline.
- Embed AI-native development workflows across the team - using LLMs and agents effectively for code generation, testing, refactoring, documentation, and experimentation.
You’ll be joining Picnic at a pivotal moment, where strong architectural decisions and engineering leverage can materially shape the trajectory and value of the business. Ideas move quickly from concept to production - we value momentum, quality and impact. You’ll help shape an AI-native engineering culture in a small, ambitious team.
We’re proud to have been recognised by Culture100 and Flexa as one of the best and most flexible small businesses to work for. Flexible, hybrid working setup (with regular time in the office throughout the week so you will live in or around London) ~33 days holiday (inclusive of Bank Holidays).
Project Manager - Engineering/medical in London employer: Picnic Media Limited
Contact Detail:
Picnic Media Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager - Engineering/medical in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their mission and values, especially how they relate to engineering and technology. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in joining the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your technical skills and be ready to showcase them during interviews. Whether it's coding challenges or system design questions, being sharp will give you an edge. We recommend using platforms that simulate real interview scenarios.
✨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 proactive and really keen on being part of our exciting journey at Picnic.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager - Engineering/medical in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Project Manager role. Highlight your experience in engineering, system design, and any relevant projects that showcase your ability to drive architectural coherence and reliability.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about Picnic's mission and how your background in engineering and project management makes you the perfect fit for this role. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Since this role involves a lot of technical responsibilities, don’t shy away from showcasing your expertise in cloud architecture, particularly AWS. Mention specific projects where you've designed scalable systems or improved cost efficiency.
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 you’re keen on joining our team at Picnic!
How to prepare for a job interview at Picnic Media Limited
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in cloud architecture, especially AWS. Brush up on your knowledge of backend systems, data pipelines, and APIs. Be ready to discuss how you've designed scalable and cost-efficient systems in the past.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share specific examples of how you've tackled architectural challenges or improved engineering standards. Think about trade-offs you've made and how you’ve balanced short-term delivery with long-term maintainability.
✨Emphasise Your Mentorship Experience
Even though this role isn’t primarily about people management, highlight any mentorship roles you've had. Discuss how you’ve helped others grow in their technical skills and how you can contribute to building a strong engineering culture at Picnic.
✨Be Ready to Discuss AI Integration
Since embedding AI-native workflows is key for this role, come prepared with insights on how you’ve used AI tools in your previous projects. Share your thoughts on code generation, testing, and how AI can enhance engineering practices.