Principal Developer

About Us

iTS is a Northern Ireland-based provider of technology and solutions for complex case management and other bespoke government and private customer solutions. We are a rapidly changing, ambitious and dynamic business located in Belfast. We seek people who, like us, put the client at the heart of everything they do.

Job Purpose

As Principal Developer, you will play a pivotal role in leading the technical design and delivery of complex software solutions for our public sector and private clients. Drawing from deep expertise in software engineering and architecture, you will guide development teams, set technical direction, and ensure the delivery of high-quality, scalable, and secure cloud-based applications. This role involves close collaboration with clients, internal teams, and stakeholders to ensure technical objectives are met and client expectations are exceeded.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the technical design, development, and delivery of software solutions for new and existing customers.
• Set and uphold coding standards, architectural best practices, and quality benchmarks across projects.
• Mentor and support developers, fostering technical growth and knowledge sharing within the team.
• Collaborate with business analysts and project managers to translate business requirements into robust technical solutions.
• Conduct code reviews, provide constructive feedback, and ensure adherence to secure coding practices.
• Identify and resolve complex technical challenges, risks, and issues, developing effective mitigation strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in software engineering processes and tools.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and recommend adoption where beneficial.
• Ensure effective communication with clients, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams.
• Support the recruitment and onboarding of new technical team members.
• Contribute to project planning, estimation, and resource allocation from a technical perspective.
• Ensure adherence to iTS Computing's software development methodologies and quality standards.
• Participate in post-project reviews and share lessons learned.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Essential:

• Minimum 6+ years' experience in software development, with at least 2 years in a technical leadership or principal developer role.
• Proven track record of designing and delivering complex software solutions, ideally in both public and private sector environments.
• Deep expertise in modern programming languages – in particular C# and JavaScript/Typescript-
• Strong understanding of cloud platforms (e.g., Azure, AWS) and cloud-native architectures.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and troubleshooting skills.
• Experience with secure coding practices and application security.
• Strong organisational, planning, and time management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Experience with Agile, Scrum, or other modern software development methodologies.
• Proficiency in development tools and platforms (e.g., DevOps, Git, Jira, CI/CD pipelines).

Desirable:

• Experience with enterprise software implementations and integrations.
• Familiarity with government or regulated environments.
• Experience leading development teams.
• Relevant technical certifications (e.g., Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect, AWS Certified Solutions Architect).
• Experience with DevSecOps practices and automation.

Additional Requirements

• At least 5 years of continuous UK residency (required for SC clearance).
• Willingness to work from the office, home, and on-site with customers as required.
• Commitment to iTS Computing's values and client-centric approach.

Reporting Line

• Reports to: Head of Professional Services or designated Project Manager.

Location

• Belfast office, with flexibility for hybrid working and occasional travel to client sites.

This job specification is intended as a guide to the main responsibilities and requirements of the role. Duties may be subject to change in line with business needs.