At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical direction and mentor teams in innovative software engineering practices.
- Company: Dynamic tech company focused on scholarly publishing solutions.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, wellbeing initiatives, study assistance, and sabbaticals for personal growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on long-term technical health and career development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of software with cutting-edge technology and AI integration.
- Qualifications: Senior engineering experience, strong influence skills, and backend expertise in Java and microservices.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
This role provides senior technical leadership across multiple teams, helping to shape architecture, engineering practices, and modernisation efforts. You will work through influence, contributing hands‑on where it matters most, while supporting teams to build secure, scalable, and resilient systems. The role focuses on long‑term technical health, collaboration, and practical innovation, including the responsible use of AI in software development. The Submissions Technology group builds and operates platforms that support the scholarly publishing lifecycle—from submission and peer review through to editorial decisions and publication.
Responsibilities
- Lead through influence to align technical direction across teams and domains
- Partner with architects, engineering leaders, and product teams to shape strategy and execution
- Define and evolve domain architecture, service boundaries, and integration patterns
- Contribute directly to complex or high-risk engineering work where it adds the most value
- Drive modernisation efforts, reducing technical debt and evolving toward cloud‑native patterns
- Improve operational excellence through observability, automation, resilience, and incident learning
- Establish pragmatic technical standards and promote consistency across teams
- Mentor engineers in architecture, systems thinking, and engineering best practices
Qualifications
- Experience operating as a senior or principal engineer across multiple teams or domains
- Proven ability to influence architectural direction and drive cross-team technical change
- Strong background in distributed systems, APIs, and integration patterns
- Experience with event‑driven architectures and modern cloud‑based systems
- Backend engineering expertise with Java, Spring Boot, and microservices
- Familiarity with modern frontend technologies and polyglot environments
- Experience with containerisation, CI/CD pipelines, and Infrastructure as Code
- Hands‑on experience with AI‑assisted development tools and applying GenAI concepts in production
Benefits
We promote a healthy work/life balance across the organisation. We offer an appealing working prospect for our people, with numerous wellbeing initiatives, shared parental leave, study assistance, and sabbaticals to help you meet your immediate responsibilities and your long‑term goals.
Working Pattern: Working flexible hours – flexing the times when you work in the day to help you fit everything in and work when you are the most productive.
Principal Software Engineer in Manchester employer: RELX Group
As a Principal Software Engineer, you will thrive in an environment that champions innovation and collaboration, with a strong focus on technical excellence and employee wellbeing. Our commitment to a healthy work/life balance is reflected in our flexible working hours, comprehensive wellbeing initiatives, and opportunities for professional growth through mentorship and study assistance. Join us in shaping the future of scholarly publishing technology while enjoying a supportive culture that values your contributions and fosters your career development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage in online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a Principal Software Engineer role that’s not even advertised yet!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those involving distributed systems and cloud-native patterns. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Practice explaining complex concepts clearly and concisely, as you'll need to influence and mentor others in this role.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with distributed systems, APIs, and cloud-native patterns. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of Principal Software Engineer, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant skills!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading through influence, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to mentor and guide teams. Share specific examples of how you've shaped technical direction or improved engineering practices in your previous roles. We love seeing real-world impact!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We appreciate candidates who are genuine and passionate about their work. Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts on modernisation efforts or the responsible use of AI in software development—this is your chance to stand out!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved!
How to prepare for a job interview at RELX Group
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a Principal Software Engineer, you’ll need to demonstrate your expertise in distributed systems, APIs, and cloud-native patterns. Brush up on your knowledge of Java, Spring Boot, and microservices, and be ready to discuss how you've applied these technologies in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong influence and collaboration across teams. Prepare examples of how you've led technical direction or mentored engineers in the past. Highlight your ability to drive cross-team technical change and how you’ve contributed to architectural decisions.
✨Be Ready for Hands-On Problem Solving
Expect to tackle complex engineering challenges during the interview. Think of specific instances where you contributed directly to high-risk projects or modernisation efforts. Be prepared to discuss your approach to reducing technical debt and improving operational excellence.
✨Embrace AI and Innovation
Since the role involves the responsible use of AI in software development, be ready to talk about your experience with AI-assisted development tools and GenAI concepts. Share how you've integrated innovative solutions into your work and the impact it had on your projects.
