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- Tasks: Lead the engineering of high-quality digital products and scalable applications.
- Company: Join a leader in digital modernisation, driving innovation in tech solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote work flexibility with occasional onsite collaboration near Reading.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of data-driven platforms.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in software engineering with expertise in cloud-native platforms and modern architectures.
- Other info: This is a hands-on leadership role with opportunities for mentoring and innovation.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: Remote (occasional onsite near Reading – likely 3-4 times per month TBC)
Engagement: Statement of Work (Outside IR35)
Rate: Up to £550 per day
Overview: We are looking for a highly skilled Principal Software Engineer to contribute to a large-scale digital modernisation programme with a leader in their respective space. This is a strategic contract engagement focused on modernising and engineering high-quality digital products for a data-driven platform. This is a hands-on leadership role ideal for an engineer who thrives in delivering complex, enterprise-grade solutions to high standards. You will be working with a multi-disciplinary product team to build scalable, secure, and user-centric applications. This is a Statement of Work (SOW) contract, where payment will be made upon the successful completion of clearly defined deliverables agreed with the client.
Key Responsibilities:
- Engineering Delivery
- Design and build full-stack solutions with an emphasis on quality, performance, and scalability.
- Apply cloud-native design patterns to build distributed systems aligned with modern software architecture principles.
- Implement CI/CD, automated testing, and engineering best practices across the SDLC.
- Ensure compliance with security, privacy, and data protection standards.
- Collaborate with Platform Engineering to integrate internal tooling and accelerate development cycles.
- Take accountability for the build-and-run responsibilities of the product features you own.
- Act as a senior technical lead across a modernisation programme, ensuring consistency and standardisation across engineering teams.
- Work closely with Product and Architecture to shape product direction and technical strategy.
- Drive the delivery of a modern engineering stack, interfacing with SaaS platforms and custom-built services.
- Support and mentor engineers within the product space, upskilling where needed and maintaining high delivery standards.
- Lead initiatives around existing data and event-reporting tools to improve speed, compliance, and usability.
- Influence product and delivery strategies using modern, rapid-prototyping approaches.
- Engage in internal innovation programmes to drive continuous value creation.
Technical Skills & Experience:
- 10+ years' software engineering experience
- Strong experience with cloud-native platforms
- Solid grasp of modern application architecture patterns: API-first, microservices, 12-factor app, SOA, etc.
- Deep experience with containerisation and orchestration (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
- Proven hands-on experience with: TypeScript, Node.js, React/Next.js or similar front-end frameworks.
- CI/CD pipelines, DevSecOps, test automation (TDD/BDD).
- API design and integration, including authentication and authorisation best practices.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills across cross-functional teams.
Desirable:
- Background in data-driven platforms or analytics solutions.
- Experience working within modern product delivery teams using agile methodologies.
Contact Detail:
Roc Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer (Reading)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with cloud-native design patterns and modern application architecture principles. This knowledge will be crucial in demonstrating your ability to build scalable and secure solutions, which is a key requirement for the Principal Software Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing during discussions. Being able to articulate how you've implemented these practices in previous roles will highlight your commitment to engineering best practices and quality delivery.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've mentored engineers in the past. This role requires strong technical leadership, so sharing specific examples of how you've supported team members will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Engage with the latest trends in data-driven platforms and analytics solutions. Being knowledgeable about these areas will not only enhance your profile but also demonstrate your proactive approach to continuous improvement and innovation.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer (Reading)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with cloud-native platforms, modern application architecture patterns, and relevant technologies like TypeScript and Node.js. Use specific examples to demonstrate your hands-on experience and leadership skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Discuss how your background aligns with their needs, particularly in engineering delivery and technical leadership. Mention any relevant projects that showcase your ability to deliver complex solutions.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Include a section in your application that specifically lists your technical skills and experiences related to the job description. Highlight your expertise in CI/CD, containerisation, and API design, as these are crucial for the role.
Prepare for Potential Interviews: While this step is not part of the written application, it's important to prepare for interviews by reviewing common technical questions related to software engineering and leadership. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you can contribute to their digital modernisation programme.
How to prepare for a job interview at Roc Search
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with cloud-native platforms and modern application architecture patterns. Highlight specific projects where you've implemented technologies like TypeScript, Node.js, or containerisation tools such as Docker and Kubernetes.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role involves technical leadership, share examples of how you've mentored engineers or led teams in previous roles. Discuss your approach to ensuring consistency and standardisation across engineering teams.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced in delivering complex solutions and how you applied CI/CD practices or automated testing to overcome them.
✨Engage with the Company’s Vision
Research the company’s digital modernisation programme and be ready to discuss how your skills align with their goals. Show enthusiasm for contributing to their data-driven platform and how you can influence product and delivery strategies.
