Principal Solutions Engineer – Workplace Technology
This pivotal technical leadership role within the Workplace Technology engineering team is responsible for defining and driving the strategic technical direction across all workplace domains: Endpoint (EUC), Identity, and Collaboration. As a Principal Solutions Engineer (PSE), you will operate at the highest level of technical authority, shaping architectural vision, leading complex design decisions, and solving Tesco’s most critical workplace technology challenges. You will work closely with engineering managers, architects, product leaders, and senior stakeholders to ensure our workplace technology estate is modern, secure, scalable, and continually evolving to meet business needs.
About the role
The role demands strategic technology leadership, cross‑domain engineering excellence, solution delivery governance, innovation future‑planning, and stakeholder engagement. You will be responsible for defining and evolving the technical architecture and engineering strategy for Workplace Technology across EUC, Identity, and Collaboration domains; acting as the ultimate technical authority; translating business needs and industry trends into actionable technology strategies; and championing a secure, productive, and modern workplace.
Strategic Technology Leadership
* Define and evolve the technical architecture and engineering strategy for Workplace Technology across EUC, Identity, and Collaboration domains.
* Act as the ultimate technical authority and trusted advisor for architectural design, technical direction, and technology selection decisions.
* Translate business needs and industry trends into actionable technology strategies, balancing innovation, security, user experience, and cost.
* Champion the vision for a secure, productive, and modern workplace that empowers Tesco colleagues globally.
Cross‑Domain Engineering Excellence
* Lead design and architecture for complex solutions spanning:
o Identity: Active Directory, Entra ID (Azure AD), PKI, authentication protocols.
o EUC: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, MDM platforms, virtual apps, printing, retail devices.
o Collaboration & Comms: M365 (Exchange, SharePoint, Teams), file services, meeting room tech, voice platforms, digital events.
* Define and govern architectural standards, design patterns, and integration approaches across Workplace Engineering.
* Drive forward automation, resilience, observability, and infrastructure‑as‑code across all technology stacks.
Solution Delivery & Governance
* Provide technical assurance and oversight for high‑impact projects, complex integrations, and cross‑domain initiatives.
* Support engineering teams through architecture reviews, design validation, technical deep dives, and solution troubleshooting.
* Ensure workplace technologies are resilient, secure by design, and aligned with operational and compliance requirements.
Innovation & Future Planning
* Scan the market for emerging technologies (e.g., Generative AI, Zero Trust, modern endpoint management) and lead their evaluation and adoption.
* Influence long‑term platform evolution, lifecycle management, and technology investment decisions.
* Shape experimentation initiatives, proofs of concept, and architectural blueprints for next‑generation workplace capabilities.
Stakeholder & Leadership Engagement
* Work closely with heads of engineering, product leaders, architects, and CISO teams to align on priorities and direction.
* Represent Workplace Engineering in enterprise architecture, security, and strategic planning forums.
* Influence senior stakeholders through clear articulation of technical choices, trade‑offs, and business value.
Required Skills & Experience
* Proven experience operating as a senior architect, technical lead, or principal engineer in a large‑scale, enterprise IT environment.
* Deep expertise in at least two of the three Workplace domains, with strong working knowledge of the third.
* Demonstrable architecture experience across:
o Directory & Identity Services: Active Directory, Entra ID, PKI, MFA, Zero Trust models.
o Modern Endpoint Management: Intune, SCCM, Apple/Android device management, virtualisation, and endpoint security.
o Microsoft Collaboration Stack: M365, Teams, Exchange, SharePoint, voice/video platforms, and hybrid collaboration.
* Strong understanding of cloud‑native and hybrid workplace architectures.
* Skilled in automation, scripting, and infrastructure‑as‑code tools (e.g., PowerShell, Terraform, YAML, Git).
* Excellent understanding of technology lifecycle management, cost modelling, licensing models, and vendor platforms.
* Experienced in aligning technical designs to compliance, privacy, risk, and regulatory frameworks.
Nice to Have
* Exposure to Generative AI use cases within productivity or collaboration tooling.
* Experience integrating workplace technologies across store, warehouse, and head office environments.
* Understanding of ITIL, service transition, and operational readiness practices.
* Familiarity with governance workflows, identity lifecycle, and access control models in regulated industries.
Personal Attributes
* Strategic thinker with deep technical credibility and broad enterprise awareness.
* Highly collaborative, able to influence and guide across engineering, operations, product, and security teams.
* Capable of simplifying complexity and articulating technical vision to non‑technical stakeholders.
* Comfortable with ambiguity, able to lead through change and pioneer new approaches.
* Passionate about building a modern, inclusive, and high‑performing workplace technology environment.
Benefits
* Annual bonus scheme of up to 45% of base salary.
* Car allowance of £7,320 per annum.
* Holiday starting at 25 days plus a personal day (plus Bank holidays).
* Private medical insurance.
* Retirement savings plan – save between 6% - 10% and Tesco will contribute 1.5 times this amount.
* 26 weeks maternity and adoption leave (after 1 year’s service) at full pay, followed by 13 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay or Statutory Adoption Pay; we also offer 4 weeks fully paid paternity leave.
About Us
Tesco is committed to creating a workplace where differences are valued. We celebrate diversity and offer inclusive recruitment. Our vision is to become every customer’s favourite way to shop, whether at home or on the move.
Seniority level
Mid‑Senior level
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Engineering and Information Technology
Industries
Retail
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