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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build innovative software solutions in a dynamic, agile team.
- Company: Join The Very Group, a leader in helping families thrive on a budget.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid working, an inclusive culture, and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact with cutting-edge tech while mentoring the next generation of engineers.
- Qualifications: Strong Java, AWS skills, and a passion for quality and collaboration.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team that champions engineering excellence.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.
Overview
As a Principal Software Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, building and running front-end and/or back-end software solutions in an agile delivery squad. This role is hands-on; you will be actively involved in designing, implementing and running the products and services that your squad is responsible for. You will help shape best practices in software engineering, then coach other squad members into driving and ensuring high quality solutions.
What you\’ll be doing
- Lead the full software development lifecycle, including coding practices, frameworks, technical debt, and operations within your squad
- Collaborate with Engineers, Product Owners, Business Analysts, and Architects to design and deliver industry-leading systems
- Influence and implement engineering standards and tools, driving adoption across squads and tribes
- Design and build software that balances commercial needs with the future tech roadmap
- Take ownership of code quality, non-functional requirements (performance, security, scalability), and best practices for logging, monitoring, and alerting
- Drive improvements in continuous integration and deployment processes
- Identify and mitigate risks, obstacles, and issues impacting technical products
- Provide run support for technical products within your squad
- Mentor and coach other engineers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement
- Champion engineering successes internally and externally to build our brand and attract talent
- Stay ahead of the curve by understanding the external technology landscape and applying insights to enhance our engineering practices
About You
- Extensive experience in building, integrating, and managing complex software architectures, ideally across multi-cloud environments
- Strong hands-on experience with Java, Spring, AWS components, and CI/CD tools (e.g., GitLab CI)
- Proven ability to mentor and guide less experienced engineers
- Passionate about code quality, testing, and engineering best practices
- Skilled in building applications with security, reliability, scalability, and high availability from the ground up
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills
- Degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience
- Comfortable sharing knowledge and stories internally and externally to strengthen our engineering brand
Benefits
- Flexible, hybrid working model
- Inclusive culture and environment
- £1,000 flexible benefits allowance to suit your needs
- 30days holiday + bank holidays
- Udemy learning access
- Up to 25% discount on Very.co.uk
- Matched pension up to 6%
- More benefits can be found on our career site
How To Apply
Please note that the talent acquisition team are managing this vacancy directly, and if successful in securing this role, you will be required to undertake a credit, CIFAS, Right to Work checks and if a specific requirement of your role a DBS (criminal records) check. If there is anything you need to disclose in relation to these checks prior to them being undertaken, including any unspent criminal convictions, please let the team know.
What happens next?
Our Talent Acquisition team will be in touch if you\’re successful so keep an eye on your emails. We will arrange a short call to learn more about you, as well as answer any questions you have. For this role after meeting our Talent Acquisition Team you can expect a 2 stage process.
First Stage – A Technical Interview, we will ask you to complete a take home task which we will use as the basis for the conversation, we will dig deeper into some of your decisions (60-90 minutes on Teams)
Second Stage – Behavioral Interview, this interview focuses more on your softer skills, how you like to work as part of a Software Engineering Team (60 minutes onsite)
If you\’d like to know more about our interviews, you can find out here.
Equal opportunities
We\’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Additional details
- Seniority level: Associate
- Employment type: Full-time
- Job function: Other
- Industries: IT Services and IT Consulting
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at The Very Group by 2x
Locations and timelines vary, with recent postings in Wigan, Southport, Daresbury, and Liverpool areas.
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Principal Software Engineer (Java, AWS) employer: The Very Group
Contact Detail:
The Very Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer (Java, AWS)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech world, especially those who work at The Very Group. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a GitHub or portfolio showcasing your Java and AWS projects, make sure to share it during interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your hands-on experience and passion for coding.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your coding practices and design patterns. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using platforms that simulate real interview scenarios to get comfortable.
✨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, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining The Very Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer (Java, AWS)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your Java, AWS, and software engineering expertise to show us you’re the right fit for the Principal Software Engineer role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about this position and how your background aligns with our mission at The Very Group. Share specific examples of your past work that demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor others.
Showcase Your Projects: If you’ve worked on relevant projects, don’t hesitate to include them in your application. We love seeing real-world applications of your skills, especially those that involve complex software architectures or innovative solutions.
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 shows us you’re keen to be part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Very Group
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in Java, Spring, and AWS components. Brush up on your knowledge of pipeline technologies like GitLab CI. Be ready to discuss how you've used these technologies in past projects and how they can be applied to the role at The Very Group.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
This role requires a lot of teamwork, so prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with engineers, product owners, and business analysts. Highlight any experiences where you’ve led discussions or mentored less experienced team members to demonstrate your leadership abilities.
✨Emphasise Code Quality and Best Practices
Be prepared to talk about your passion for code quality and testing. Share specific instances where you’ve implemented best practices in your previous roles, especially around performance, security, and scalability. This will show that you understand the importance of delivering high-quality software.
✨Stay Updated on Industry Trends
The tech landscape is always changing, so show your enthusiasm for staying informed. Discuss any recent trends or technologies you’ve been following and how they could benefit The Very Group. This demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and improvement in software engineering.
