At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the evolution of a critical Python platform and design new systems from scratch.
- Company: Profitable fintech company with a focus on engineering and innovation.
- Benefits: Up to £140k salary, bonus, top-tier medical and dental insurance, and worldwide travel insurance.
- Other info: Modern office in Central London with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Take ownership of a core platform and shape its future direction in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Strong Python skills and experience in evolving production systems.
The predicted salary is between 140000 - 140000 £ per year.
We're working with a profitable, engineering-led fintech that builds software used by investment firms to manage reporting, data, and client-facing outputs. Their platform underpins core workflows for their clients - handling complex, highly tailored requirements across data processing, reporting logic, and content generation. They’re now at a key stage of growth: evolving the existing system while building out new products alongside it. They’re looking for a Principal Engineer to take ownership of how that platform develops from here. This is a senior, hands-on position with real influence over both architecture and delivery.
You’ll be:
- Leading the evolution of a live, business-critical Python platform
- Designing and building new systems and features from the ground up
- Owning architectural decisions across backend services and cloud infrastructure
- Working closely with stakeholders to shape solutions, not just implement them
- Setting technical direction and raising engineering standards within a small team
What They’re Looking For:
- Strong Python experience (FastAPI, Django, Flask etc)
- Track record of owning or significantly evolving production systems
- Experience making architectural decisions and working across the full lifecycle
- Comfortable operating in a smaller, high-ownership environment
- Able to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Why It's interesting:
- Ownership of a core platform and its future direction
- Worldwide travel insurance
- Top-tier Medical
- Dental insurance
- Beautiful, modern office in Central London
- Profitable company with a clear growth roadmap
Locations
Prinicpal Software Engineer in City of London, London employer: Understanding Recruitment
Join a dynamic and profitable fintech company in Central London, where as a Principal Software Engineer, you will have the unique opportunity to lead the evolution of a critical platform that supports investment firms. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, a collaborative work culture, and benefits such as worldwide travel insurance and top-tier medical and dental coverage, this role offers not just a job, but a chance to make a significant impact in a thriving environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Prinicpal Software Engineer in City of London, London
✨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 Understanding Recruitment 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 Understanding Recruitment.
✨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 Understanding Recruitment.
✨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 Understanding Recruitment 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 Prinicpal Software Engineer in City of London, London
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 Understanding Recruitment.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Understanding Recruitment 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 Understanding Recruitment
✨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 Understanding Recruitment 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.
