Principal Software Engineer

Deadline for applications: 11:59pm on 31st October 2025

We’re looking for a Principal Software Engineer to shape the technical direction of high-profile projects and lead the delivery of modern, scalable software.

We use technology to create impactful, human-centred solutions that make a difference to users and organisations. We believe great engineering happens when teams collaborate, learn, and build with purpose.

You’ll provide hands-on technical leadership, working closely with senior stakeholders, mentoring engineers across multiple teams, and line managing a small group of engineers while helping shape our approach to software delivery, architecture, and engineering culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of advanced software solutions, ensuring high standards of quality, security and scalability.
• Set the technical direction for projects and influence the wider technology strategy.
• Provide line management for a group of engineers (typically up to six), supporting their career progression and ensuring they’re set up for success.
• Provide technical leadership and coaching, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration and continuous learning.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders to translate complex business problems into elegant, robust solutions.
• Champion modern engineering practices including CI/CD, test automation and infrastructure as code.
• Foster a DevOps culture that enables teams to build, deploy and run their services confidently through automation and continuous delivery.
• Drive the evaluation and adoption of emerging technologies to improve how we deliver software.
• Lead technical due diligence during project scoping, bids and new opportunities.
• Represent the engineering function in strategic discussions, influencing our technology roadmap.
• Anticipate and manage project risks, helping teams navigate complex technical challenges.

Professional knowledge and experience

Essential:

• Extensive experience in software engineering, with a focus on large-scale, complex systems.

• Polyglot engineer comfortable working across multiple languages and frameworks (we’ve used Python, Java, Kotlin, Node.js, C#, JavaScript, Express, React and Next.js to name a few).

• Passion for learning new technologies and helping others do the same.

• Proven track record of leading software architecture design and strategic technology initiatives.

• Strong expertise in cloud platforms, microservices and modern software development practices.

• Experience with direct line management and mentoring junior to senior engineers.

• Excellent communication skills. Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Desirable:

• Experience working in a consultancy environment, managing client relationships at a senior level.

• Experience delivering government or public sector projects.

• Eligible for (or holding) SC security clearance

• Knowledge of AI, machine learning, or other emerging technologies relevant to software engineering.

• Experience promoting knowledge sharing. This might be through mentoring, blogs, talks, or internal communities.

Technical Skills

• Software & Architecture:
  

  • Polyglot and fullstack

  • Expert in designing scalable, secure, and maintainable software architectures.

  • Ability to set architectural standards and ensure alignment with business goals and technical strategy.

  • DevOps mindset

• Leadership and Mentoring:

  • Proven ability to lead and develop senior technical talent, providing strategic guidance and fostering growth.

  •  Strong influence in shaping team culture, promoting innovation, and driving high performance.

  • Direct line management

• Strategic Thinking:

  • Ability to align technical strategies with broader business objectives, ensuring technology investments deliver value.

  • Skilled at identifying opportunities for technology-led innovation and efficiency improvements.

• Stakeholder Engagement:

  • Expertise in managing complex stakeholder relationships, both internal and client-facing.
  • Capable of translating business needs into actionable technical strategies and solutions.

Behaviours and PACT values

• Purpose: Be values-driven, recognising that our client's needs are paramount. Approach client engagements with professionalism and creativity, balancing commercial and operational needs.

• Accountability: Be accountable for delivering your part of a project on time and under budget and working well with other leaders. Lead by example, promoting a culture where quality and client experience are foremost.

• Craft: Balance multiple priorities while leading high-performing teams. Navigate ambiguity and set the technical direction and approach to support positive outcomes.

• Togetherness: Collaborate effectively with others across TPXimpact. Build strong relationships with colleagues and clients.