Principal Engineer - Automation

Role: Principal Automation Engineer

Location: Basingstoke, Hybrid working

Salary: £75,000-£90,000 + car allowance + 16% Bonus

Are you passionate about driving automation at scale? We're looking for a Principal Automation Engineer to lead the design and delivery of cutting-edge automation solutions across a global technology environment.

In this senior role, you'll combine deep technical expertise with strategic leadership, shaping how infrastructure, operations, and services are delivered through automation. You'll set the technical direction, mentor engineering teams, and turn ambitious ideas into reliable, scalable automation frameworks that deliver measurable impact.

Responsibilities:

• Lead complex automation initiatives - architect, design, and deliver scalable frameworks and workflows across global infrastructure and operations.
• Be the automation authority - act as the go-to expert for automation tools and methodologies including Ansible, Terraform, GitHub, Azure DevOps, and scripting in Python or PowerShell.
• Mentor and uplift teams - share knowledge through code reviews, workshops, and hands-on collaboration to build a culture of continuous improvement.
• Champion an automation-first mind set - embed automation principles into every part of the technology landscape, from infrastructure management to service delivery.
• Collaborate across teams - partner with product, infrastructure, and operations functions to deliver seamless, value-driven solutions.
• Drive innovation - explore emerging trends in AI/ML-driven automation, workflow orchestration, and DevSecOps to shape the future of automation strategy.

Required Skills:

• 10+ years of experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale automation solutions.
• Deep expertise in IaC and automation tools (Ansible, Terraform, GitHub, Azure DevOps).
• Strong scripting skills in Python or PowerShell.
• Proven experience leading automation initiatives in complex or global environments.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities - capable of influencing, mentoring, and aligning teams around a shared automation vision.
• Track record of successful delivery in fast-paced, dynamic environments

Desirable Skills:

• Exposure to Azure, AWS, or GCP environments.
• Familiarity with AI/ML-driven automation.
• Experience with product discovery and customer-centric design methods.
• Knowledge of process improvement and continuous delivery practices.