The Principal Developer is responsible for defining and driving engineering standards, technical direction, and delivery excellence across the software development function. They provide strategic leadership across multiple teams, working closely with stakeholders to ensure business requirements are understood, shaped, and translated into effective technical delivery. Working with the Product Director, they help set departmental direction, support planning and prioritisation, and ensure the engineering function continues to develop to meet business needs. The role is accountable for creating the conditions for high performance across the department by supporting Lead Developers and wider engineering teams, ensuring people are engaged, performing effectively, and continuously moving forward. As a senior member of the Engineering function, Principal Engineers play a key role in modernising platforms, improving the quality and consistency of delivery, and ensuring the technology estate evolves in line with organisational priorities. This role, initially, will be accountable for the development teams across the Post Office Payzone channel, however there is also scope for the role to be expanded across other development squads and areas in the future.
Our commitment to embracing diversity extends beyond just words. While we've outlined key skills above, we recognise that great candidates come from a variety of backgrounds. We value diverse perspectives and are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.
Qualifications
- Extensive experience across multiple programming languages and technology stacks, with the ability to provide technical leadership across a broad software landscape. Familiarity with languages and frameworks such as JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML/CSS, Java, Python, Go, NodeJS, and modern frontend technologies such as React or React Native is advantageous.
- Proven expertise in defining and governing cloud-native application development, distributed systems, and microservices architecture across multiple teams or products.
- Proven experience in shaping and embedding Agile methodologies, engineering governance, and best software development practices at a departmental level.
- Strong understanding of automated testing strategies, CI/CD pipelines, and modern software delivery practices, with the ability to drive consistency and quality across teams.
- Deep knowledge of software design principles, architectural patterns, and engineering best practices, with the ability to apply them pragmatically across a wide range of technical challenges.
- Strong understanding of API design, integration patterns, database technologies, security principles, and non-functional requirements such as scalability, resilience, and performance.
- Proven expertise in DevOps practices, platform engineering, and modern cloud environments such as AWS, Azure, or GCP, with the ability to influence technical direction and adoption.
- Significant leadership experience across technical teams, with the ability to support, coach, and develop Lead Engineers and other senior engineering colleagues.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with senior leaders, product teams, and technical teams to align engineering delivery with business goals.
- Experience in setting engineering standards, shaping technical strategy, and contributing to long term roadmaps that support organisational objectives.
Benefits
- 27.5 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 2 years), plus bank holidays
- Up to 18% on target bonus opportunity
- Annual car allowance
- Generous pension scheme with minimum 9% employer contribution
- Access to 24/7 digital GP services and our Employee Assistance Programme
- 6 x Life assurance and income protection after 12 months service
- Over 400 online courses, mentoring, apprenticeships, and development programmes
- Access to our benefits platform for exclusive discounts & savings
