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- Tasks: Lead software design and delivery while maintaining high engineering standards.
- Company: Established organisation in a high-security sector with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Permanent role with hybrid working, competitive salary, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity for security clearance sponsorship and career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Shape software solutions that matter and mentor the next generation of engineers.
- Qualifications: Solid full-stack experience with modern tech like JavaScript, Python, and cloud services.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
A well-established organisation operating in a specialist, high-security sector is looking to bring on board an experienced software engineer at principal level. This is a permanent, full-time position with flexibility to work across two office locations in England, supported by a hybrid working arrangement.
The position suits someone who thrives in technically complex environments and wants the freedom to shape how software is built. Depending on your preference, the role can be shaped around hands-on engineering, or balanced with coaching and developing less experienced members of the team. You'll sit within a mature, collaborative engineering function and play a meaningful part in delivering software that genuinely matters.
Security clearance is a condition of employment. Applicants should currently hold SC level clearance and must be open to sponsorship through to a higher clearance tier.
What you'll be doing:
- Taking ownership of software design and delivery, maintaining high engineering standards throughout
- Acting as a trusted voice on technical decisions within your team
- Building relationships across disciplines — working closely with non-engineering stakeholders as well as fellow developers
- Playing an active role in how the team works, not just what it delivers
- Supporting the growth of colleagues where applicable
What we're looking for:
- Solid full-stack capability — you'll be comfortable working across the front and back end, with exposure to modern JavaScript ecosystems, TypeScript, Python, and/or Java
- Experience building and consuming RESTful APIs
- Familiarity with at least one major cloud provider
- Hands-on experience with containerised environments and orchestration
- Exposure to infrastructure-as-code practices
- Comfortable working with relational databases
- Experience with search technologies
- A considered approach to testing — you write tests as a matter of course, not as an afterthought
A strong candidate won't necessarily tick every box. If your background is solid across most of these areas, we'd encourage you to apply - there is genuine appetite to invest in the right candidate.
Principal Software Engineer in Manchester employer: SW5 Consulting
Contact Detail:
SW5 Consulting Recruiting Team
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 with online communities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its tech stack thoroughly. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around software design and delivery.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or GitHub repository, make sure it’s up to date. Highlight projects that demonstrate your full-stack capabilities and any experience with modern JavaScript ecosystems or cloud providers.
✨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 Software Engineer in Manchester
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 full-stack capabilities and any experience with modern JavaScript ecosystems, TypeScript, Python, or Java. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about software engineering and how you thrive in complex environments. Don’t forget to mention your experience with coaching and developing others, as we value collaboration at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Projects: If you've worked on any relevant projects, make sure to include them in your application. Whether it's building RESTful APIs or working with cloud providers, we love seeing real examples of your work. It helps us understand your hands-on experience and technical decisions.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to submit all your materials in one go. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining the StudySmarter team!
How to prepare for a job interview at SW5 Consulting
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, like JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, and Java. Brush up on your experience with RESTful APIs and cloud providers, as these will likely come up during technical discussions.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves coaching less experienced team members, be prepared to discuss your past experiences in mentoring or leading projects. Share specific examples of how you've supported colleagues' growth and contributed to a collaborative team environment.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to dive deep into your technical knowledge. Practice explaining your approach to software design, testing, and working with containerised environments. Be ready to discuss how you maintain high engineering standards and make technical decisions.
✨Build Relationships Beyond Tech
This role requires collaboration with non-engineering stakeholders, so think about how you can demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively across disciplines. Prepare examples of how you've successfully worked with different teams to achieve common goals.