Principal Engineer

Principal Engineer

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead engineering for HighQ, designing scalable systems and integrating AI technologies.
  • Company: Join Thomson Reuters, a leader in legal tech with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible work, competitive pay, mental health support, and career growth opportunities.
  • Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives and social impact.
  • Why this job: Make a real-world impact by enhancing justice and transparency through technology.
  • Qualifications: Proficient in Java and Python, with experience in complex software systems and AI integration.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

Thomson Reuters is hiring a Principal Engineer for HighQ, our enterprise collaboration platform for the legal industry used by leading law firms worldwide to deliver digital services to their clients.

About the role

This is a senior individual contributor role. The Principal Engineer sets technical direction across HighQ's most significant engineering work, owns outcomes from design through production, and is directly accountable for raising the engineering bar across the organisation. The role partners closely with directors, architects, and Staff engineers, and operates as a senior technical voice in decisions that span multiple teams.

  • Evaluate and introduce new technologies and engineering practices that improve how the organisation builds and delivers software.
  • Architect and design complex systems that are scalable, performant and maintainable.
  • Take technical ideas from concept to production, aligned with business priorities and technical strategy.
  • Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams, raising the standard of work across the organisation.
  • Contribute as a hands-on engineer. Write production code and review the work of others to hold the technical bar.
  • Work with product, architecture and engineering peers to turn business requirements into sound technical designs.
  • Lead the engineering work behind HighQ's integration with modern AI and agent platforms, including the technical surfaces through which HighQ provides context and capability to AI systems.
  • Drive reliability, scalability and performance improvements on a platform serving demanding enterprise customers with significant data and workflow commitments.

About you

  • Track record of designing, building and delivering complex software systems in production.
  • Operate effectively as a senior individual contributor, drive results independently and be accountable for outcomes.
  • Proficiency in Java and Python coupled with broad fluency across modern backend ecosystems including containerised services, relational databases and distributed systems patterns.
  • Deep command of software engineering fundamentals and how they apply in practice.
  • Demonstrated ability to set architectural direction across multiple teams and be accountable for the outcome.
  • Experience driving reliability, scaling or performance work in production systems.
  • Familiarity with AI/LLM integration patterns, including the engineering practices that make AI features dependable in production (evals, monitoring, context management).
  • Generate and advance technical ideas that produce meaningful business outcomes.
  • Strong communicator. Articulate complex technical ideas clearly to engineering and non-engineering audiences alike.

What’s in it for you

  • Hybrid Work Model: Flexible hybrid working environment (2–3 days a week in the office depending on the role) while delivering a seamless digital and physical experience.
  • Flexibility & Work-Life Balance: Flex My Way policies support personal and professional responsibilities, including work from anywhere for up to eight weeks per year.
  • Career Development and Growth: Continuous learning, skill development and a skills-first approach to help grow, lead and thrive in an AI-enabled future.
  • Industry-Competitive Benefits: Flexible vacation, company-wide mental health days, Headspace app, retirement savings, tuition reimbursement, employee incentive programs and resources for mental, physical and financial wellbeing.
  • Culture: Award-winning reputation for inclusion, belonging, flexibility and work-life balance.
  • Our values: Obsess over Customers, Compete to Win, Challenge Your Thinking, Act Fast / Learn Fast and Stronger Together.
  • Social Impact: Two paid volunteer days per year, pro-bono consulting projects and ESG initiatives.
  • Making a Real-World Impact: Help our customers pursue justice, truth and transparency, support the rule of law, and provide trusted, unbiased information worldwide.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

As a global business, we rely on the unique backgrounds, perspectives and experiences of all employees to deliver on our business goals. We seek talented, qualified employees in all our operations worldwide regardless of race, color, sex/gender, pregnancy, gender identity & expression, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, citizen status, veteran status or any other protected classification under applicable law. Thomson Reuters is a proud Equal Employment Opportunity Employer providing a drug-free workplace. We also make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs in accordance with applicable law. More information on requesting an accommodation is available through our internal system.

Principal Engineer employer: PowerToFly

Thomson Reuters is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic hybrid work model that promotes flexibility and work-life balance, alongside a strong commitment to employee growth through continuous learning and development opportunities. With an award-winning culture that prioritises inclusion and belonging, employees benefit from industry-competitive perks such as flexible vacation, mental health resources, and the chance to make a real-world impact through meaningful work in the legal sector. Join us to be part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and social responsibility while shaping the future of enterprise collaboration.

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Contact Details:

PowerToFly Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Engineer

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at Thomson Reuters or similar companies. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or a GitHub repository showcasing your best projects, especially those that highlight your experience with Java, Python, and AI integrations. This will give you an edge during interviews.

Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Get comfortable with common technical interview questions and coding challenges. Use platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to sharpen your problem-solving skills before the big day.

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 the team at Thomson Reuters.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Engineer

Technical Leadership
Java
Python
Software Engineering Fundamentals
Architectural Design
Complex Systems Design
AI/LLM Integration Patterns

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Engineer role. Highlight your experience with Java, Python, and any relevant technologies that align with HighQ's needs. We want to see how your skills can directly contribute to our mission!

Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Principal Engineer, you'll be setting technical direction and mentoring others. Use your application to demonstrate past experiences where you've led projects or teams, and how you’ve raised the engineering bar in previous roles. We love seeing strong leadership!

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to articulate your technical ideas and experiences. Remember, we want to understand your thought process and how you communicate complex concepts, so make it easy for us!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our culture and values!

How to prepare for a job interview at PowerToFly

Know Your Tech Inside Out

As a Principal Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your deep understanding of Java, Python, and modern backend ecosystems. Brush up on your knowledge of containerised services and distributed systems patterns, and be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

This role requires you to set architectural direction and mentor teams. Prepare examples of how you've led engineering initiatives or improved processes in previous roles. Highlight your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Be Ready to Discuss AI Integration

Familiarity with AI/LLM integration patterns is crucial. Think about your experiences with AI features in production, including monitoring and context management. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've driven reliability and performance improvements in these areas.

Align with Company Values

Thomson Reuters values customer obsession, competition, and collaboration. Familiarise yourself with these values and think of ways you've embodied them in your work. During the interview, express how you can contribute to their culture of inclusion and social impact.