Principal Software Developer - C++ and Rust in Sunderland

Principal Software Developer - C++ and Rust in Sunderland

Sunderland Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Tech4

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead complex software projects using C++ and Rust while mentoring a team of engineers.
  • Company: Fast-growing tech consultancy focused on data, AI, and software solutions.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, private health insurance, generous holiday allowance, and career development.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with international exposure and excellent growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on high-stakes projects with talented colleagues in a flat structure.
  • Qualifications: Strong programming skills in C++ or Rust and experience in software engineering workflows.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.

Principal Software Developer – C++ and Rust is required by a highly successful and fast-growing technology consultancy. They build data, AI and software solutions for clients in a broad range of industries, working on demanding problems in challenging environments.

The role involves leading delivery on demanding software projects, focusing on C++ and Rust development. This is a hands-on role for an experienced developer who wants to stay close to the code. You'll lead a team of 6 to 12 engineers, own delivery end to end, and spend a meaningful share of your time writing code, reviewing designs, and unblocking the team. It's a delivery role, not a strategy role. You'll shape how we build things and how the team grows around you.

Responsibilities:

  • Lead the delivery of complex software projects
  • Work alongside other leads to set direction for the defence function
  • Stay hands-on: set technical direction, design software and write code, leaning in where needed
  • Mentor engineers across experience levels
  • Plan and estimate delivery, manage technical debt, and make pragmatic trade-offs between speed, quality and long-term maintainability
  • Work directly with clients to shape requirements, manage expectations and build trust
  • Run code and design reviews, set the bar for quality, and hold the team to it
  • Embed strong testing practices in the team's workflow, from unit tests through to integration and acceptance testing

What makes a great candidate:

  • A track record of technically leading complex software deliveries
  • Excellent programming skills in C++ or Rust
  • Experience of modern end-to-end software engineering workflows, including requirements management, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance
  • Experience integrating AI-assisted tools into development workflows without compromising on quality, security or compliance
  • Experience developing for Linux, ideally with exposure to industrial computing platforms, single-board computers or real-time environments
  • A leader who enjoys delivery and makes the engineers around them better
  • Comfortable operating in ambiguous environments and making decisions with incomplete information
  • Excellent communicator, equally at home in a code review, a client meeting, or a one-to-one with a junior engineer
  • Strong academic foundations, typically a first-class degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics or Mathematics from a leading university
  • Experience in defence or national security is a strong plus

Why join them:

  • Work alongside high-calibre colleagues from organisations known for engineering excellence
  • High-impact work on complex problems with direct consequences for clients
  • A flat structure and a small, growing team, where you'll help shape how we work
  • Newcastle base with international exposure across our global office network
  • 25 days’ holiday allowance plus bank holidays
  • Matching pension contributions up to 6%
  • Private health insurance through Bupa
  • Discretionary bonus
  • Excellent training and career development opportunities exist for the right candidate.

Basic salary £90-130,000 + bonus + excellent benefits. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Principal Software Developer - C++ and Rust in Sunderland employer: Tech4

Join a highly successful and fast-growing technology consultancy based in Newcastle upon Tyne, where you'll work alongside high-calibre colleagues on complex software projects that have a direct impact on clients. With a flat structure and a small, growing team, you will have the opportunity to shape the way we work while enjoying excellent training and career development opportunities, a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package including private health insurance and a generous holiday allowance.

Tech4

Contact Details:

Tech4 Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Software Developer - C++ and Rust in Sunderland

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 Tech4 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 Tech4.

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 Tech4.

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 Tech4 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 Software Developer - C++ and Rust in Sunderland

C++
Rust
Software Development
Team Leadership
Code Review
Design Software
Requirements Management

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 Tech4.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Tech4 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 Tech4

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 Tech4 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.