At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical direction and develop best-in-class mobile applications.
- Company: The Sun, the UK's biggest news brand with a massive digital reach.
- Benefits: Generous leave, training access, health insurance, and discounts on books and fitness.
- Other info: Inclusive recruitment process with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team shaping the future of news through innovative tech.
- Qualifications: Expertise in mobile development and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
About The Sun
The Sun is the biggest news brand in the UK, publishing hundreds of stories a day and reaching over 170 million unique users digitally every month. Its exclusives set the news agenda and its campaigns have changed lives.
Your role
As a Principal Apps Engineer you will work alongside our engineers, product owners and stakeholders to lead and steer the technical conversations and ensure that what we build is best in class and fit for purpose. Working with the Head of Engineering you’ll be responsible for technical strategy and tactical implementation, and for hiring, growing and running the team.
Day to day responsibilities
- Lead technical direction and discussions within the team
- Ensure best practice and good code quality is maintained
- Support existing and develop new features to meet business needs across all Sun
- Work with stakeholders to understand requirements and help define ticket requirements
- Assist with the release process to deploy new features/fixes to production
What we’re looking for
- Expertise in native mobile development for iOS and/or Android, proficiency in both modern and legacy languages
- Experience applying test‑driven development (TDD/BDD) to ensure stability and reliability of mobile applications
- Ability to guide peers via thorough code reviews and maintain high standards across the codebase
- Strong communication skills to convey technical concepts to stakeholders and external communities through presentations or meetups
- Experience building and maintaining CI/CD pipelines for mobile feature delivery
- Proactive mindset that drives positive change and continuous improvement within an agile environment
Benefits
- Maternity leave up to 18 weeks full basic salary and paternity leave up to 2 weeks
- Wide range of training and full LinkedIn Learning access
- Private medical insurance covering pre‑existing conditions
- Discounted gym memberships, free ClassPass at Home and weekly virtual yoga classes
- ‘Bikes for Work’ and ‘Electric Car’ scheme
- Up to 60% discount on Harper Collins books
- Access to exclusive events and competitions with brands such as talkSPORT, Virgin Radio UK, and The Times; weekly virtual panel chats with top journalists and celebrities
- Wellbeing benefits including EAP, physio/massage, and counselling
- Generous pension scheme with employer contributions of up to 5%
- 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays and up to 4 volunteering days per year
We are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process. If you require reasonable adjustments due to a disability or health condition at any stage of your application or interview, please let us know.
Principal Apps Engineer employer: The Sun
The Sun is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant heart of Greater London, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters creativity and innovation in video editing. With a strong emphasis on professional development, employees benefit from generous leave and comprehensive medical insurance, making it an ideal place for those looking to grow their careers while producing engaging content for a diverse audience. Join us to be part of a team that values your passion for storytelling and digital media.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Apps Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at The Sun on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the interview process. It’s all about making connections!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for technical discussions by brushing up on your mobile development skills. Be ready to showcase your expertise in both iOS and Android, and don’t forget to highlight your experience with TDD/BDD during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! You’ll need to convey complex technical concepts clearly, so consider doing mock presentations or explaining your projects to friends. This will help you shine when discussing your work with stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t just apply anywhere; apply through our website! It shows you’re genuinely interested in joining The Sun and gives you a better chance of being noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Apps Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Apps Engineer role. Highlight your experience in mobile development and any relevant projects that showcase your skills. We want to see how you fit into our team!
Show Off Your Technical Skills:Don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise in native mobile development and TDD/BDD practices. Include specific examples of how you've maintained code quality and led technical discussions. This is your chance to shine!
Communicate Clearly:Remember, strong communication is key! Use clear language to explain your technical concepts and experiences. We want to see how you can convey complex ideas to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Sun
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a Principal Apps Engineer, you’ll need to showcase your expertise in mobile development. Brush up on both modern and legacy languages, and be ready to discuss how you've applied test-driven development in your past projects. This will demonstrate your technical prowess and commitment to quality.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Strong communication skills are key for this role. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to convey ideas to stakeholders who may not have a technical background. Consider preparing a few examples of how you've successfully communicated in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
You’ll be responsible for guiding your team and maintaining high standards. Be prepared to discuss your experience in leading technical discussions, conducting code reviews, and mentoring peers. Highlight specific instances where your leadership made a positive impact on a project or team dynamic.
✨Be Ready for Agile Conversations
Since the role involves working in an agile environment, brush up on agile methodologies and be ready to discuss how you've driven positive change in past teams. Share examples of how you've contributed to continuous improvement and how you’ve adapted to changing requirements.
