Principal Engineer for IT Automation & AI transformation (Remote) in London

Principal Engineer for IT Automation & AI transformation (Remote) in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
SoSafe

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the charge in AI transformation and automation across our innovative platform.
  • Company: Join SoSafe, a fast-growing leader in human risk management and cybersecurity.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, 33 vacation days, and a supportive work environment.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in cybersecurity while working with cutting-edge technology.
  • Qualifications: Experience as a Staff or Principal Engineer in a cloud-native SaaS environment.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

SoSafe has the ambition to become the leading human risk management provider in Europe. Our award-winning awareness platform triggers behavioural change by providing effective and engaging training and simulations on cybersecurity and data protection. Cybercrime is costing the world >$10 trillion annually and growing by 15% p.a. - we invite you to be part of the solution!

Are you a visionary Staff or Principal Engineer, excited about pushing the boundaries of automation and artificial intelligence deployed across a whole company? We're seeking an exceptional candidate to join our IT Engineering team to build the foundation for our AI-native future, in one of the industry's fastest growing SaaS scale-ups.

Things no-one seems to know yet:

  • How to make traditional automation & productivity tools consistently useful across a whole business in a post-AI world
  • How to balance traditional tools against foundation models and agentic working
  • How to enable (and protect) citizen builders to use spec-driven design and self-built AI-agents to actually change the organisation, reliably, safely and at scale

We want you to solve these problems.

Here's how you'll make a difference:

  • Test-bed: Architect, build and iterate a toolchain fusing traditional automation and productivity tools (n8n, google workspace, etc) with spec-driven design and agentic working, test out on IT and Security
  • Iterate: Advocate, mentor and enable other early adopter teams to use our platforms, get value, provide feedback, iterate the platform
  • Standardise: Build self-sustaining cultural practices across the organisation, enable whole departments, scale the platform for everyone
  • Drive the evolution of IT operations towards an all-encompassing *-as-code infrastructure model through hands-on architecture and design
  • Contribute to the IT/Sec Operating System as we move wholesale to build-not-buy teams
  • Mentor and level up the existing IT engineering team, then whole departments, serving as a technical guide to accelerate skills transfer and foster a strong, collaborative engineering culture
  • Champion and advocate for our shared automation and AI platforms and methodologies, driving cross-departmental adoption to break down operational silos.

What makes you a great fit:

  • Demonstrated experience operating at a Staff or Principal Engineer level, ideally within an established, successful, cloud-native hypergrowth SaaS environment
  • Hands-on builder and systems thinker - A background that includes hands-on coding, ideally in a platform or SRE team. IT experience is secondary, we need builders who can help others build better
  • A track record of successful AI-native adoption, showcasing how you've successfully moved workflows beyond experimental prompts into robust, production-grade automated workflows or agents
  • Deep technical mastery of at least some of: infrastructure-as-code, modern CI/CD systems (e.g., GitHub Actions) and enterprise-grade workflow orchestration (e.g., n8n, Zapier)
  • A pragmatic engineering mindset: You understand that while agentic working is fast and flexible, it brings significant utilization costs; you know how to design hybrid architectures that balance speed with financial efficiency. When faced with a complex problem, you instinctively break it down
  • Great leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills: The biggest challenge is always people, not technology. You treat internal teams as your customers and excel at explaining complex technical concepts to non-technical "citizen coders" and executive stakeholders alike.

What you will get in return:

  • A mandate from the CEO to massively accelerate our AI-native transformation in every role, actually solving the AI-related questions that we’re all asking, at speed and scale
  • A company comfortable with rapid change and iterative development - We love experiments that fail, as long as we learn from them
  • Collaborative and highly supportive IT and Security team around you - We prize a safe and enjoyable working environment, good work-life balance and solid mental health above all other things
  • Close relationships with super-smart, highly engaged peers across G&A, GTM and Product Engineering

What we offer:

  • Work/Life balance: Flexible hours, 33 vacation days
  • Wellbeing and financial support: Access to Open Up, corporate discounts
  • Connection & community: Virtual events, collaborative team activities, and opportunities for local meet-ups
  • And the list goes on: Tech equipment, referral bonuses, dog-friendly HQ

About Us: At SoSafe, we’re on a mission to make the digital world safer by addressing the human factor in cybersecurity. As one of the fastest-growing security awareness scale-ups worldwide, we leverage behavioural science and data-driven learning to empower people against cyber threats. Our Human Risk Management approach helps organisations turn their employees into their strongest line of defence. Backed by leading VCs like Highland Europe and Global Founders Capital, we’re rapidly expanding across the globe. We’re looking for team players who want to drive meaningful change in cybersecurity, take ownership of their work, and grow with us. If you thrive in a vibrant, purpose-driven environment that values innovation, diversity, and collaboration, then this is the place for you!

Principal Engineer for IT Automation & AI transformation (Remote) in London employer: SoSafe

SoSafe is an exceptional employer that prioritises innovation and employee growth, making it an ideal place for a Staff IT Engineer. With a strong focus on building automation platforms and driving AI-native transformation, employees are encouraged to develop their skills in a supportive environment that values collaboration and mentorship. Located in a vibrant tech hub, SoSafe offers unique opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects while contributing to a mission of enhancing digital safety.

SoSafe

Contact Details:

SoSafe Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Engineer for IT Automation & AI transformation (Remote) in London

Get Involved in the Cybersecurity Community

Diving into the cybersecurity community is key for landing that full-time gig. Join forums like Reddit's r/cybersecurity or attend local meetups to connect with industry veterans and other job seekers. Networking is everything in this field—don’t just be a passive lurker!

Show Off Your Skills with Capture the Flag Competitions

Participate in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions; these are not just a fun way to boost your skills but also a chance to showcase your talent to potential employers. Many companies, including SoSafe, love seeing candidates who actively engage in these challenges.

Tailor Your Online Presence

Make sure your LinkedIn and any professional profiles reflect your cybersecurity expertise. Share your projects, whether they’re personal or from a previous role, to catch the eye of hiring managers. This is how they’ll find your passion and commitment to the field!

Apply Directly Through SoSafe

Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at SoSafe. Applying directly can sometimes give you an edge, especially if you can mention that you've been following our work or engaging in the community.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Engineer for IT Automation & AI transformation (Remote) in London

Automation and AI Transformation
Cloud-native SaaS Experience
Hands-on Coding
Infrastructure-as-Code
CI/CD Systems (e.g., GitHub Actions)
Workflow Orchestration (e.g., n8n, Zapier)
Systems Thinking

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show off your technical skills:In cybersecurity, it's crucial to highlight your technical prowess. Make sure your CV showcases specific skills like network security, penetration testing, or threat analysis. If you have relevant certifications (like CEH or CISSP), pop those on the front page to grab attention!

Tailor your portfolio for the role:Even for a full-time role, a portfolio can set you apart. If you've worked on any cybersecurity projects—be it CTF challenges, security assessments, or research papers—include these in your application. This demonstrates not just your skills, but also your hands-on experience!

Use real-world examples:When writing your cover letter, don’t just stick to your qualifications. Share real-world examples of how you’ve tackled security issues or vulnerabilities. This gives the hiring team at SoSafe insight into your practical problem-solving abilities and makes your application memorable.

Demonstrate your passion for cybersecurity:Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, so show us that you’re always learning! Mention any recent courses, webinars, or industry events you’ve attended. This not only exhibits your enthusiasm but also signals to SoSafe that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.

How to prepare for a job interview at SoSafe

Sharpen Your Technical Skills

For a role in cybersecurity, it’s essential to be up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques. Brush up on your knowledge of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and vulnerability assessment tools. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you’ve applied these skills, as hands-on experience can really set us apart in interviews.

Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect the interviewers at SoSafe to throw in some hypothetical situations to see how you’d handle them. Think about common security breaches or incidents and be prepared to explain how you would respond. This not only shows your problem-solving skills but also your understanding of real-world cybersecurity challenges.

Highlight Your Certifications

Certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH can give you a significant edge in a full-time role in cybersecurity. Make sure to mention these during your interview and be prepared to discuss what you learned through those certifications and how they relate to the position at SoSafe.

Show Your Passion for Cybersecurity

Since you’re going for a full-time gig, showing genuine enthusiasm for the field can make all the difference. Share any personal projects, blogs, or communities you’re part of that relate to cybersecurity. This not only showcases your passion but also your commitment to staying engaged in this ever-evolving field.