Principal Engineer

Principal Engineer - Database Platform
Location: Sheffield, UK (Hybrid)
Contract: 6 months (with possible extension)

We're seeking an highly experienced Principal Engineer to lead the strategy, design, and evolution of enterprise-scale database infrastructure within a major banking environment. This is a senior technical leadership role ideal for someone passionate about modern database platforms, large-scale architecture, and driving engineering excellence.

What You'll Be Doing

• Define and drive the long-term strategy for database infrastructure aligned with business and IT goals

• Act as the go-to expert for database technologies, advising senior stakeholders and engineering teams

• Co-lead the architecture and implementation of shared database platforms (DBaaS/PaaS)

• Partner with Product Owners, Architects, and stakeholders to shape technical requirements and solutions

• Identify and resolve engineering challenges while strengthening cross-functional capabilities

• Champion innovation by evaluating emerging technologies and modern engineering practices

• Serve as a key technical decision-maker, balancing performance, scalability, and risk

• Improve operational efficiency through automation and process optimisation

What We're Looking For

• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field

• 10+ years of engineering experience, including 5+ years in senior/principal roles

• Deep expertise in database technologies (relational, NoSQL, distributed SQL) across IaaS/DBaaS environments

• Strong experience in infrastructure architecture, performance tuning, and capacity planning

• Hands-on knowledge of microservices, API development, automation, and application design

• Solid understanding of SRE principles, DevOps practices, and Infrastructure as Code

• Experience with modern testing practices and engineering tooling

• Proven success delivering large-scale enterprise solutions

• Strong leadership, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills

• Experience working in global, matrixed organisations

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to simplify complex technical concepts