Principal Software Architect / Engineering Manager Belfast | Hybrid | Permanent | Competitive + Leadership BonusThis one is different.Most architecture roles are advisory. This one has teeth. Our client is on a genuine platform transformation journey, moving away from complex legacy systems toward a modern, cloud-native architecture,and they need someone who can lead that charge technically and culturally. If you've ever wanted real ownership over a major engineering transformation, this is it.The RoleThis is a senior leadership position combining architectural ownership with people leadership. You'll define the long-term technical direction, guide teams through a significant legacy modernisation, and raise the engineering bar across the organisation. You'll report into the CTO / Head of Engineering and work closely with senior stakeholders to ensure every architecture decision supports both product ambition and future scale.This isn't a consultancy gig. You'll own the outcomes.What you'll be doing:Architecture & Platform ModernisationDefine and own the target architecture, leading the transition from legacy systems to modern, cloud-native platformsDrive the decomposition of monolithic systems into modular services, APIs, and event-driven componentsCollaborate with frontend and backend leaders to ensure scalability, performance, and consistency across the platformIntroduce modern engineering practices and tooling to improve delivery quality, reliability, and developer experienceTechnical LeadershipProvide architectural oversight across multiple teams and applicationsLead platform evolution initiatives including cloud migration, containerisation, and CI/CD automationIdentify and resolve complex technical and performance issues across distributed systemsChampion software craftsmanship, testing strategies, and design patternsEngineering Management & CultureLead and mentor engineering managers and senior engineersSupport team growth, performance, and long-term capability developmentEstablish and run architecture governance through review boards and technical working groupsHelp scale engineering teams across Belfast and international sitesDelivery & Stakeholder EngagementWork with product, infrastructure, and senior leadership to define architectural roadmapsOwn the delivery of strategic technical initiatives from design through to implementationCommunicate architectural decisions clearly to both technical and non-technical audiencesDevelop proofs of concept and technical spikes using modern languages and frameworksWhat we need to see:Essential10+ years of professional software engineering experienceStrong .NET background with modern cloud-based architecture experienceProven track record leading large-scale platform modernisationExperience operating at Principal Engineer, Architect, Engineering Manager, or equivalent levelDeep understanding of distributed systems, APIs, and event-driven architecturesHands-on experience with Azure or AWS and container platforms such as KubernetesTech StackC# and .NET, legacy and modern frameworksJava and Python for architectural experimentation and prototypingDocker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelinesSQL Server, PostgreSQL, and performance optimisationLeadershipExperience leading multiple engineering teamsStrong mentoring and coaching capabilityAbility to communicate complex technical concepts at senior leadership levelTrack record of building engineering standards, culture, and scalable processesWhy this role?Lead a major platform transformation with long-term, visible impactReal ownership and genuine influence over technical direction, not a seat at the table, the head of itA supportive engineering culture built on quality, trust, and deliveryClear progression paths across Principal, Head of Engineering, and Enterprise ArchitectureWork alongside experienced engineers and leaders who care about doing things properlyWhy Ocho?We represent the largest selection of technology roles of any recruitment firm in Northern Ireland. If this one isn't the right fit, we're always happy to meet for a coffee and talk through where you want to go in 2026.Reach out to Ryan Quinn directly on LinkedIn for a confidential conversation. Skills:.Net AWS ReactBenefits:BonusWHJS1_NI