Job Description
Principal Software Engineer (Java, Jakarta EE)
Nottingham, hybrid, within ~50 miles
Up to £100,000 + benefits
Senior individual contributor role with real influence. You will shape platform direction, set engineering standards, and stay hands-on when it matters.
What you will do
* Lead technical direction across multiple teams
* Influence Java and Jakarta EE platform strategy
* Act as a senior technical authority on complex systems
* Balance hands-on coding with architecture and strategy
* Mentor engineers and raise engineering standards
* Partner closely with product, architecture, and senior leadership
What we are looking for
* Extensive experience at Principal, Staff, or senior Lead level
* Deep Java and Jakarta EE expertise
* Strong background in large-scale, distributed systems
* Comfortable influencing without line management
* Confident working across teams, not just one squad
Good to have
* Modernising legacy J2EE platforms
* Cloud and DevOps exposure
* Experience in large or regulated environments
Worth knowing
* Permanent role, not contract
* No people management
* Hybrid with on-site presence required, formal office dress code
If you want long-term technical influence without stepping into management, this is worth a conversation.