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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and evolution of modern, scalable software systems while mentoring engineers.
- Company: Highly regarded cloud and software engineering consultancy with a focus on quality and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, share options, and genuine employee care.
- Why this job: Shape the future of software engineering and make a real impact in a growing organisation.
- Qualifications: Strong experience in Java/Spring, microservices, and mentoring engineers.
- Other info: Flexible work environment with opportunities for professional growth and influence.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
£80,000 - £100,000 + bonus and shares
The Opportunity
We are VERY excited about this opportunity. We’ve been working with this client for years and every candidate we have ever placed with them have loved it there. Contractors go perm with them, and permies stay for years. If you are considering a career move, this is (almost certainly) the client for you.
We (SR2) have partnered with this highly regarded cloud and software engineering consultancy that helps organisations modernise how they design, build, and run software. Their teams work at the intersection of software engineering, cloud platforms, and developer experience, supporting customers to reduce technical debt, improve delivery maturity, and build systems that scale sustainably over time. Projects span both public and private sector environments, often tackling complex, high-impact problems where quality, security, and reliability really matter.
They’re now looking for a Principal Software Engineer to provide senior technical leadership across multiple delivery engagements and to help shape how modern software is built, evolved, and maintained. You’ll join as a founding engineer within this capability, with the opportunity to shape the technical direction and help build out the team over time. This is a chance to play a meaningful role in a growing, mid-sized organisation - where your decisions, leadership, and engineering standards will have a visible and lasting impact on both the platform and the people around you.
The Role
This is a hands-on leadership role for an experienced engineer who enjoys operating across architecture, design, and delivery. You’ll work closely with engineers, delivery leads, and platform teams to:
- Lead the design and evolution of modern, scalable software systems
- Influence architectural direction and technical decision-making
- Support early-stage solution design and complex delivery challenges
- Mentor engineers and raise the technical bar across teams
Alongside client work, you’ll also contribute to the organisation’s wider engineering capability, helping define standards, patterns, and best practices that are reused across engagements. This role suits someone who enjoys technical depth, pragmatic decision-making, and collaborating closely with customers rather than working in isolation.
About You
You’re a senior engineer with strong architectural judgement and a passion for building well-designed, maintainable systems. You’re comfortable leading technically, influencing others, and working in environments where collaboration and communication matter as much as code.
- Deep hands-on experience with Java/Spring and full-stack development
- Strong experience with Domain-Driven Design (DDD) and modern system decomposition
- Proven delivery of microservice-based architectures
- Strong React experience and modern frontend practices
- Experience improving engineering effectiveness through testing, automation, and tooling
- Exposure to AI-assisted development to improve quality and productivity
- Confidence mentoring engineers and leading technical discussions
- A consulting mindset — able to translate business problems into practical technical solutions
- Experience in regulated or public sector environments
Tech
Why This Role and Company?
- Flexibility with a company that genuinely care about their employees
- Influence architecture and engineering direction at a senior level
- Work on meaningful, technically challenging systems
- Balance hands-on engineering with leadership and mentoring
- Join a consultancy that genuinely invests in engineering quality, not just delivery speed
- Competitive package including bonus and share options
Please apply with a copy of your CV and Emma from SR2 will contact potential candidates regarding next steps.
Principal Software Engineer employer: SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation
Contact Detail:
SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer
✨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 job openings or can refer you directly to hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company, understand their tech stack, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Practising common interview questions can also help you feel more confident when it’s your turn to shine.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills through projects! Whether it's contributing to open-source, building your own applications, or sharing your knowledge on platforms like GitHub, having tangible examples of your work can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Principal Software Engineer role. Highlight your hands-on experience with Java/Spring, microservices, and any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how you can influence architectural decisions!
Showcase Your Projects: Include specific examples of projects where you've tackled complex delivery challenges or improved engineering effectiveness. This is your chance to demonstrate your technical depth and consulting mindset, so don’t hold back!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value collaboration and communication just as much as technical skills, so share your passion for mentoring and working closely with teams. It’s all about finding the right fit!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It streamlines the process and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, Emma from SR2 will be in touch to guide you through the next steps!
How to prepare for a job interview at SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a Principal Software Engineer, you’ll need to demonstrate your deep understanding of Java/Spring and full-stack development. Brush up on your knowledge of Domain-Driven Design and microservice architectures, as these will likely come up in technical discussions. Be ready to share specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your expertise.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role is all about leading teams and influencing architectural decisions. Prepare to discuss your previous leadership experiences, particularly how you've mentored engineers and raised the technical bar. Think of scenarios where your guidance made a significant impact on a project or team dynamics.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Communication
Since this position requires working closely with clients and teams, be prepared to talk about how you foster collaboration. Share examples of how you’ve effectively communicated complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders or facilitated discussions that led to successful outcomes.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to tackle some complex delivery challenges during the interview. Practice articulating your thought process when faced with technical problems, especially in regulated environments. Highlight your consulting mindset by discussing how you translate business problems into practical technical solutions.
