Principal Engineer in Manchester

Principal Engineer in Manchester

Manchester Full-Time 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Shape the architecture of a mission-critical B2B platform with new squads.
  • Company: Innovative tech company in Manchester with a hybrid work model.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, great package, autonomy, and trust in your role.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by defining standards and mentoring talented engineers.
  • Qualifications: Experience at Principal Engineer level with strong TypeScript/JavaScript skills.
  • Other info: Opportunity to work on scalable, reliable systems with modern tooling.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.

This is a rare chance to come in before the patterns are set — helping shape how a large, mission-critical B2B platform is built as three brand-new squads spin up. It’s greenfield where it matters, pragmatic where it has to be, and aimed squarely at engineers who care about how systems evolve, not just shipping the next ticket.

What you’ll be doing:

  • Defining architecture patterns used across multiple squads and services.
  • Designing and evolving a complex, workflow-heavy platform at serious scale.
  • Leading cross-team technical initiatives (APIs, cloud patterns, DevOps).
  • Partnering with product and delivery to shape technical direction — not just react to it.
  • Mentoring senior engineers and tech leads, raising the bar across teams.
  • Championing automation, observability, and “we build it, we run it”.
  • Tackling systemic problems early — scalability, reliability, developer experience.
  • Exploring AI and modern tooling to improve how teams build and ship.

Hands-on when it counts. Strategic when it matters.

What you’ll need:

  • Experience operating at Principal / Staff Engineer level in complex environments.
  • Strong TypeScript / JavaScript background.
  • Solid experience with Docker and Kubernetes.
  • Knowledge of a high-performance language (Go is ideal).
  • Experience designing distributed, cloud-native systems AWS.
  • Strong grasp of API-first, event-driven and microservices architecture.
  • Comfortable influencing across teams without formal authority.
  • A pragmatic mindset — balancing technical quality with real business outcomes.

Why it’s worth your time:

You won’t be bolted onto a broken setup and asked to “fix it quietly”. You’ll be shaping how new squads work from day one, setting standards others actually follow, and working on systems where scale, reliability and compliance genuinely matter. There’s autonomy, trust, and a clear mandate to do this properly — not just quickly.

If you’re a Principal Engineer who enjoys shaping platforms, mentoring strong engineers, and leaving systems better than you found them — this one’s worth a chat.

Principal Engineer in Manchester employer: Socium Recruitment

Join a forward-thinking company in Manchester that values innovation and collaboration, offering you the unique opportunity to shape the architecture of a mission-critical B2B platform from the ground up. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, mentorship, and a culture that champions autonomy and trust, you'll be part of a dynamic environment where your contributions directly impact the evolution of complex systems. Enjoy competitive compensation, a hybrid work model, and the chance to work with cutting-edge technologies while being supported by a team that prioritises both technical excellence and meaningful outcomes.
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Contact Detail:

Socium Recruitment Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal 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 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 TypeScript, Docker, and cloud-native systems. 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. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled complex problems and led initiatives in the past. Remember, they want to see how you think and approach challenges!

✨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 about their job search!

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Engineer in Manchester

Architecture Design
Cross-Team Collaboration
Mentoring
Automation
Observability
Scalability
Reliability
Developer Experience
TypeScript
JavaScript
Docker
Kubernetes
Cloud-Native Systems
API-First Architecture
Event-Driven Architecture
Microservices Architecture

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for engineering shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about shaping systems and mentoring others.

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with TypeScript, Docker, and cloud-native systems. We’re looking for specific skills that match the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your relevant projects and achievements.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this Principal Engineer role. Share your thoughts on how you would approach defining architecture patterns and leading technical initiatives — we love seeing your strategic mindset in action!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to shape our new squads from day one.

How to prepare for a job interview at Socium Recruitment

✨Know Your Architecture

Before the interview, brush up on architectural patterns and principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss how you would approach defining architecture patterns for multiple squads and services, as this is a key part of the job.

✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience

Prepare to share specific examples of your hands-on experience with TypeScript, Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud-native systems. Highlight any projects where you’ve tackled scalability and reliability issues, as these will resonate well with the interviewers.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

Think about times when you've led cross-team initiatives or mentored other engineers. Be ready to discuss how you influenced technical direction and raised the bar across teams, as this aligns perfectly with what they’re looking for.

✨Emphasise Pragmatism

Be prepared to talk about how you balance technical quality with business outcomes. Share examples of how you've approached complex problems with a pragmatic mindset, ensuring that your solutions are not just technically sound but also aligned with real-world needs.

Principal Engineer in Manchester
Socium Recruitment
Location: Manchester

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