Principal Software Engineer - C++ and Rust

Principal Software Engineer - C++ and Rust - is required by highly successful and fast growingtechnology consultancy. They build data, AI and software solutions for clients in a broad range of industries, working on demanding problems in challenging environments.

The role

They are looking for a Principal Software Engineer to lead delivery on demanding software projects. This role is focused on C++ and Rust development.

This is a hands-on role for an experienced engineer who wants to stay close to the code. You'll lead a team of 6 to 12 engineers, own delivery end to end, and spend a meaningful share of your time writing code, reviewing designs, and unblocking the team. It's a delivery role, not a strategy role. You'll shape how we build things and how the team grows around you.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of complex software projects
• Work alongside other leads to set direction for the defence function
• Stay hands-on: set technical direction, design software and write code, leaning in where needed
• Mentor engineers across experience levels
• Plan and estimate delivery, manage technical debt, and make pragmatic trade-offs between speed, quality and long-term maintainability
• Work directly with clients to shape requirements, manage expectations and build trust
• Run code and design reviews, set the bar for quality, and hold the team to it
• Embed strong testing practices in the team's workflow, from unit tests through to integration and acceptance testing

What makes a great candidate

• A track record of technically leading complex software deliveries
• Excellent programming skills in C++ or Rust
• Experience of modern end-to-end software engineering workflows, including requirements management, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance
• Experience integrating AI-assisted tools into development workflows without compromising on quality, security or compliance
• Experience developing for Linux, ideally with exposure to industrial computing platforms, single-board computers or Real Time environments
• A leader who enjoys delivery and makes the engineers around them better
• Comfortable operating in ambiguous environments and making decisions with incomplete information
• Excellent communicator, equally at home in a code review, a client meeting, or a one-to-one with a junior engineer
• Strong academic foundations, typically a first-class degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics or Mathematics from a leading university
• Experience in defence or national security is a strong plus

Why join them

• Work alongside high-calibre colleagues from organisations known for engineering excellence
• High-impact work on complex problems with direct consequences for clients
• A flat structure and a small, growing team, where you'll help shape how we work
• Newcastle base with international exposure across our global office network
• 25 days' holiday allowance plus bank holidays
• Matching pension contributions up to 6%
• Private health insurance through Bupa
• Discretionary bonus

Excellent training and career development opportunities exist for the right candidate.

Basic salary £90-130,000 + bonus + excellent benefits

Based Newcastle upon Tyne