At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate in software development, setting engineering standards and driving excellence.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking tech company with a focus on collaboration and growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, bonuses, and extensive professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career progression potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the future of technology in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Expertise in cloud-native development, Agile methodologies, and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
The Principal Developer is responsible for defining and driving engineering standards, technical direction, and delivery excellence across the software development function. They provide strategic leadership across multiple teams, working closely with stakeholders to ensure business requirements are understood, shaped, and translated into effective technical delivery. Working with the Product Director, they help set departmental direction, support planning and prioritisation, and ensure the engineering function continues to develop to meet business needs.
The role is accountable for creating the conditions for high performance across the department by supporting Lead Developers and wider engineering teams, ensuring people are engaged, performing effectively, and continuously moving forward. As a senior member of the Engineering function, Principal Engineers play a key role in modernising platforms, improving the quality and consistency of delivery, and ensuring the technology estate evolves in line with organisational priorities. This role, initially, will be accountable for the development teams across the Post Office Payzone channel, however there is also scope for the role to be expanded across other development squads and areas in the future.
Our business is changing and we understand that attracting the right talent is pivotal in driving the positive change needed, to help us achieve our ambitious goals. Beyond a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- 27.5 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 2 years), plus bank holidays
- Up to 18% on target bonus opportunity
- Annual car allowance
- Generous pension scheme with minimum 9% employer contribution
- Access to 24/7 digital GP services and our Employee Assistance Programme
- 6 x Life assurance and income protection after 12 months service
- Over 400 online courses, mentoring, apprenticeships, and development programmes
- Access to our benefits platform for exclusive discounts & savings
What you’ll need to succeed:
- Proven expertise in defining and governing cloud-native application development, distributed systems, and microservices architecture across multiple teams or products.
- Proven experience in shaping and embedding Agile methodologies, engineering governance, and best software development practices at a departmental level.
- Strong understanding of automated testing strategies, CI/CD pipelines, and modern software delivery practices, with the ability to drive consistency and quality across teams.
- Deep knowledge of software design principles, architectural patterns, and engineering best practices, with the ability to apply them pragmatically across a wide range of technical challenges.
- Strong understanding of API design, integration patterns, database technologies, security principles, and non-functional requirements such as scalability, resilience, and performance.
- Proven expertise in DevOps practices, platform engineering, and modern cloud environments such as AWS, Azure, or GCP, with the ability to influence technical direction and adoption.
- Significant leadership experience across technical teams, with the ability to support, coach, and develop Lead Engineers and other senior engineering colleagues.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with senior leaders, product teams, and technical teams to align engineering delivery with business goals.
- Experience in setting engineering standards, shaping technical strategy, and contributing to long‑term roadmaps that support organisational objectives.
Our commitment to embracing diversity extends beyond just words. While we’ve outlined key skills above, we recognise that great candidates come from a variety of backgrounds. We value diverse perspectives and are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. As a Disability Confident Employer, we recognise the value people with disabilities can bring to our business. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process or would like further details on the job description, please contact talentacquisition@postoffice.co.uk.
Principal Developer in Manchester employer: Post Office Ltd
At our company, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. Located in the vibrant City of London and Greater London, we offer a competitive salary alongside a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and extensive professional development opportunities. Our commitment to employee growth, inclusivity, and work-life balance makes us an attractive choice for talented individuals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Developer in Manchester
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Post Office Ltd or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Post Office Ltd.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Post Office Ltd.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Post Office Ltd that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Developer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Post Office Ltd.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Post Office Ltd and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Post Office Ltd
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Post Office Ltd uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
