At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop high-performance software systems while mentoring junior developers.
- Company: Join SYSTRA, a leader in sustainable transport solutions with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work environment, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team that values excellence, collaboration, and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global transport infrastructure while working with cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: Proficient in C++, C#, and Python with strong software engineering fundamentals.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
Around the world, SYSTRA’s specialists plan, design, integrate, test, commission, project manage and deliver mass transit and mobility solutions that are relied on by more than 50 million people every day.
For more than 60 years, the Group has been committed to helping cities and regions contribute to their development by creating, improving and modernising their transport infrastructure with sustainability, accessibility and innovation at the heart of our designs.
With over 10,300 colleagues globally and around 1000 in the UK & Ireland we are growing significantly and seeking out the very best talent to join the SYSTRA signature team and be part of leading the way in infrastructure design.
Context
The Principal Consultant (Software Development) will design, build, and maintain high-performance software systems while acting as a technical reference point for less experienced team members.
You will work closely with the Technical Lead and cross-functional teams to deliver features that are reliable, testable, and maintainable — contributing to architecture decisions and championing engineering best practices across the codebase
- Missions/Main Duties
- Design, develop, and maintain SYSTRA's proprietary microsimulation software Paramics Discovery using C++, C#, and Python across the full software development lifecycle.
- Write clean, efficient, well-documented code with a strong emphasis on testability and performance.
- Participate in architectural and design discussions, contributing well-reasoned proposals and technical trade-off analysis.
- Review code from peers and provide constructive, detailed feedback that raises the quality bar for the whole team.
- Collaborate with Dev Ops colleagues to optimise CI/CD pipelines and ensure smooth, repeatable deployments.
- Interact with SQL databases - writing, reviewing, and optimising queries and stored procedures.
- Mentor less experienced developers, supporting their technical growth and embedding best practices.
- Contribute to test strategies including unit, integration, and performance testing.
- Participate in agile ceremonies: sprint planning, stand-ups, retrospectives, and technical refinements.
- Demonstrate behaviours aligned with SYSTRA’s behavioural framework by actively fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, respect, and empowerment, contributing to an environment where all colleagues can thrive, achieve and grow together
- Profile/Skills
Essential Skills / Knowledge / Experience
- Proficient in C++. Strong command of modern C++ (C++14/17/20), including memory management, templates, STL, and performance optimisation.
- Proficient in C#: Solid experience with the . NET ecosystem, including . NET Core / . NET 6+, async programming, and OOP design patterns.
- Proficient in Python: scripting, automation, data processing, or back-end service development.
- Software Engineering Fundamentals: Deep understanding of algorithms, data structures, design patterns, and SOLID principles.
- Debugging & Testing: Experience with unit testing frameworks (e. g. Google Test, NUnit, pytest) and profiling / debugging complex systems.
- Version Control: Comfortable with Git-based workflows including branching strategies, pull requests, and code review processes.
- Communication: Able to explain technical decisions clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- configuration and deployment of solutions
Desirable Skills / Knowledge / Experience
- SQL: Experience writing and optimising SQL queries, stored procedures, and working with large relational datasets.
- Dev
Ops Practices: Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines (e. g. Jenkins, Git Lab CI, Azure Dev Ops), containerisation (Docker), and infrastructure as code.
- Cloud Platforms: Exposure to AWS, Azure, or GCP - particularly compute, storage, and networking services.
- Regulated Environments: Experience working in high-integrity, or regulated industries (e. g. defence, finance, transport, aerospace) is advantageous.
- Cross-language Systems: Experience integrating components written in multiple languages (e. g. C++ core engine exposed via Python bindings).
- Workplace Type
- Hybrid
Principal Consultant (Software Development) employer: SYSTRA
SYSTRA is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London where innovation and sustainability are at the forefront of our engineering projects. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide ample opportunities for professional development and collaboration within a diverse team dedicated to delivering impactful transport solutions. Join us to be part of a company that values your contributions and fosters a culture of excellence and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Consultant (Software Development)
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at SYSTRA or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to SYSTRA.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like SYSTRA.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like SYSTRA that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Consultant (Software Development)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at SYSTRA.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at SYSTRA and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at SYSTRA
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If SYSTRA uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
