At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape backend and data architecture for a cutting-edge marketing intelligence platform.
- Company: Join Publicis Media, a global leader in data-driven marketing solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive perks like private medical cover, pension, and reflection days.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with a focus on career growth and mentorship.
- Why this job: Make a real impact with AI-driven solutions in a dynamic, inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Expertise in Python, AWS, and data platforms required; leadership skills a plus.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Publicis Media harnesses the power of modern media through leading agency brands and global accelerator PMX; immersive experience group PMCI and access to integrated platform-based technologies and offerings from CJ, Epsilon and Influential. A key business solution of Publicis Groupe, Publicis Media's digital-first, data-driven global solutions deliver client value and drive growth in a platform-powered world. It is present in over 100 countries with over 23,000 employees worldwide.
Performics is the Performance Centre of Excellence within Publicis Groupe, building technology, data and AI-driven marketing solutions for global brands. This Principal Backend Engineer role is a hands‑on, principal‑level individual contributor position shaping the backend and data foundation behind OneSuite, our unified marketing intelligence and automation platform. You'll set technical direction across data products and platform integration, write production‑grade Python, and lead high‑impact architectural decisions that make complex marketing data dependable, secure and usable across clients. A key focus is enabling AI‑assisted analyst workflows, including agents built with the Claude Agent SDK, so teams can answer questions, surface issues and act on campaign opportunities with confidence.
Responsibilities
- Own backend and data architecture across pipelines, connector systems, platform APIs, agent/tool runtimes, CLIs and downstream product surfaces.
- Define durable domain boundaries and data contracts between warehouse outputs, operational stores, platform APIs, agent tools and user workflows.
- Lead the evolution of Databricks medallion pipelines (ingestion, normalisation and curated outputs for analytics and product use cases).
- Improve data quality and governance: schema enforcement, lineage, documentation and lakehouse-to-operational-store sync for consumer-facing data.
- Architect Python backend services on AWS serverless paths, including authentication and tenant‑scoped access patterns.
- Shape how capabilities are exposed through OneSuite (streaming workflows, tool permissions, MCP integrations and stable CLI/API/MCP contracts).
- Set engineering standards (testing, CI/CD, deployment safety, observability) and mentor senior engineers through reviews, pairing and clear written guidance.
Qualifications
- Demonstrable experience in senior backend, data platform or distributed systems engineering roles, with principal‑level ownership across multiple services or teams.
- Expert Python backend engineering (API design, service boundaries, async/concurrent systems) plus strong SQL and modern testing practices.
- Hands‑on Databricks / PySpark experience and lakehouse/medallion architecture (or equivalent large‑scale data pipeline experience).
- Strong AWS serverless background (Lambda, API Gateway, S3, DynamoDB, IAM) with infrastructure‑as‑code (e.g., CloudFormation/SAM).
- Deep understanding of multi‑tenant SaaS design, authN/authZ, tenant isolation, secrets management and operational security.
- Experience designing stable data contracts and CLI/API/MCP contracts, including schema evolution and consumer‑facing data models.
- Proven technical leadership through mentoring, architecture decisions, code review and clear trade‑off communication (without relying on direct authority).
Additional information
Publicis Media offers a wide range of benefits to support our employees. Full details are shared when you join, but highlights include core benefits such as Pension, Life Assurance, and Private Medical cover, alongside enhanced policies like Reflection Days and Shared Parental Leave. You'll also have access to a range of additional initiatives.
Publicis Groupe works primarily from the office or our clients' office four days per week. At Publicis Media, we are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, disability, age, citizenship, relationship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.
We are committed to providing a fair, accessible, and inclusive recruitment process. If you have any access needs - for example, related to disability, neurodivergence, or a health condition - please let us know. We'll work with you to ensure the process works for you. Sharing this information will never impact your application. Guided by our values, we listen with empathy, uplift each other, take responsibility, and embrace change - building a culture where everyone feels seen, respected, and genuinely included.
Principal Backend Engineer - Data Platform & AI Automation employer: Publicis Groupe UK
Publicis Media is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, offering employees the opportunity to thrive in a hybrid environment in London. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide comprehensive benefits including private medical cover, reflection days, and shared parental leave, alongside initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team that values innovation and collaboration, while shaping the future of data-driven marketing solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Backend Engineer - Data Platform & AI Automation
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or at meetups. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repo showcasing your projects, especially those related to backend engineering and data platforms. It’s a great way to demonstrate what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and scenarios. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with the format.
✨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, we love seeing candidates who are proactive!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Backend Engineer - Data Platform & AI Automation
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with backend engineering, Python, and data platforms. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Principal Backend Engineer!
Showcase Your Projects:Include specific examples of projects you've worked on that demonstrate your expertise in AWS serverless architecture and Databricks. We love seeing real-world applications of your skills!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your achievements and technical skills, so we can easily see what you bring to the table.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Publicis Groupe UK
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Python backend engineering, especially API design and async systems. Brush up on your AWS serverless knowledge too, as they’ll likely want to see how you can architect solutions using Lambda and DynamoDB.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led architectural decisions or mentored other engineers. Publicis Media values technical leadership, so be ready to discuss how you’ve communicated trade-offs and guided teams without relying on authority.
✨Understand Data Pipelines
Familiarise yourself with Databricks and medallion architecture. Be prepared to discuss your experience with large-scale data pipelines and how you ensure data quality and governance in your projects.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about their current projects and challenges, especially around AI-assisted workflows and data architecture. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
