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.