Principal Software Engineer
Principal Software Engineer (Java, Jakarta EE)
Nottingham, hybrid, within ~50 miles
Up to £100,000 + benefits
Senior individual contributor role with real influence. You will shape platform direction, set engineering standards, and stay hands-on when it matters.
What you will do
- Lead technical direction across multiple teams
- Influence Java and Jakarta EE platform strategy
- Act as a senior technical authority on complex systems
- Balance hands-on coding with architecture and strategy
- Mentor engineers and raise engineering standards
- Partner closely with product, architecture, and senior leadership
What we are looking for
- Extensive experience at Principal, Staff, or senior Lead level
- Deep Java and Jakarta EE expertise
- Strong background in large-scale, distributed systems
- Comfortable influencing without line management
- Confident working across teams, not just one squad
Good to have
- Modernising legacy J2EE platforms
- Cloud and DevOps exposure
- Experience in large or regulated environments
Worth knowing
- Permanent role, not contract
- No people management
- Hybrid with on-site presence required, formal office dress code
If you want long-term technical influence without stepping into management, this is worth a conversation.