Principal Software Development Engineer – ML Engineering – Personalisation
Tesco Technology
About the role
Within Tesco Data & Analytics, we help our customers and the communities where we operate get the most value from data. We build and run Tesco’s data platforms, architect and engineer data ontologies, and provide capabilities and tools to the analytics community across Tesco. Our Data Science teams work on a broad range of projects spanning supply chain, logistics, store and online. Notable initiatives include Operations Optimisation, Decision Support, Online recommendation, and Intelligent Edge. As a Principal Software Development Engineer (PSDE) within the Data Science Engineering (DSE) team, you will be a senior technical authority, delivering value that materially impacts business outcomes. You will shape strategy, guide teams, and set the standard for engineering excellence within DSE.
Responsibilities
* Define and influence architecture and technical strategy for ML‑driven platforms and products.
* Drive end‑to‑end delivery of scalable, reliable ML solutions and frameworks for rapid experimentation.
* Guide cross‑functional teams through complex programmes, ensuring alignment and technical excellence.
* Establish best practices for ML engineering, including MLOps and model lifecycle management.
* Evaluate technology choices, lead innovation through PoCs, and accelerate ML time‑to‑production.
* Lead Operational Excellence by improving observability, performance and reliability of ML/AI systems.
* Communicate effectively with senior stakeholders and mentor teams to solve critical challenges.
Qualifications
* Proven experience as a principal engineer or technical lead in large‑scale software and ML environments.
* Deep expertise in system design, distributed systems, cloud‑native architectures, and secure, maintainable solutions.
* Experience acting as a technical authority across multiple domains and technologies, guiding architectural choices with a deep understanding of the software and machine learning development lifecycle.
* Strong leadership, collaboration and communication skills; ability to influence technical and business stakeholders.
* Proficiency in Python and multiple languages; familiarity with ML tools (e.g., Spark, TensorFlow).
* Passion for innovation, inner‑sourcing, and accelerating ML delivery through modern tooling and practices.
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 – you save between 6%‑10% and Tesco will contribute 1.5× 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; 6 weeks fully paid paternity leave.
About Us
Our vision at Tesco is to become every customer’s favourite way to shop, whether they are at home or on the move. Our purpose is ‘Serving our customers, communities and planet a little better every day’. We are proud of an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves, and we offer a range of full‑time and part‑time working patterns across our business areas.
Location: Welwyn Garden City, England, United Kingdom.
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