Principal .Net Developer
Job description.
Principal Software Architect / Engineering Manager
Location: Belfast / Hybrid
Type: Permanent
Package: Competitive with leadership bonus
Reporting To: CTO / Head of Engineering
Overview
We're searching for a Principal Software Architect / Engineering Manager to lead large-scale modernisation, drive architectural vision and guide engineering teams through transformational technical change. This role is ideal for someone who has operated at both strategic and hands-on levels ,shaping cloud architecture, modernising legacy platforms, and mentoring multi-disciplinary teams.
You will influence product direction, define engineering standards, support platform evolution and deliver high-impact improvements across performance, reliability and developer experience. If you enjoy owning complex technical landscapes, enabling teams, and setting the future direction of platforms, this is the role for you.
Key Responsibilities
Architecture & Modernisation
* Define and lead modern architecture strategies, guiding the transition from legacy systems to modular, cloud-native platforms
* Overhaul monolithic systems into scalable APIs, microservices and event-driven architectures (Azure, AWS)
* Work closely with UI and backend architects to align system design, scalability and performance
* Introduce and promote AI-enabled engineering practices such as Copilot and GPT-based tooling for efficiency and quality improvements
Technical Leadership & Platform Ownership
* Provide architectural oversight across multiple applications, ensuring consistency, maintainability and technical excellence
* Lead long-term platform evolution, including cloud migration, containerisation (Kubernetes) and automation initiatives
* Diagnose and resolve complex performance issues across large-scale systems
* Champion software craftsmanship, TDD, BDD, design patterns and scalable coding practices
Team Management & Engineering Culture
* Manage and mentor cross-functional engineering teams, supporting growth, performance and delivery excellence
* Build engineering capability, from establishing new sites to scaling teams across regions (Belfast, India)
* Create and run Architecture Review Boards, working groups and governance structures to maintain engineering standards
Delivery & Stakeholder Engagement
* Collaborate with product, infrastructure and senior leadership to define architecture roadmaps and ensure alignment to business objectives
* Own the end-to-end delivery of architectural initiatives, balancing technical depth with delivery speed
* Develop proofs of concept for new system capabilities using modern languages such as Java and Python
* Maintain senior-level visibility and effectively communicate complex technical decisions to stakeholders
What You'll Bring
Core Experience
* 10+ years engineering experience with deep roots in .NET, cloud architecture, distributed systems and large-scale platform modernisation
* Significant leadership experience as an Engineering Manager, Architect, Site Lead or Principal Engineer
* Proven track record modernising enterprise systems from Web Forms → modular monoliths / microservices, with modern frontends (React, Angular)
* Expertise in modern cloud technologies including Azure, AWS, Kubernetes, TeamCity, Octopus Deploy
* Strong architectural capability across event-driven systems, messaging (Kafka/Redis), API design and distributed systems
Technical Skills
* .NET / C#, Web Forms, Core, REST APIs
* Java, Python (for PoCs and architectural experimentation)
* Kubernetes, Docker, CI/CD pipelines
* SQL Server, Postgres, caching strategies, performance engineering
Leadership Competencies
* Comfortable running multi-team engineering groups (20+ staff)
* Excellent mentoring, coaching and talent development skills
* Strong communication skills with the ability to simplify complexity for senior leaders
* Proven success establishing engineering culture, standards and scalable processes
Nice to Have
* Experience in multi-region growth or site expansion initiatives
* Exposure to AI-driven software development practices
* Experience implementing BDD frameworks such as SpecFlow, xUnit, Hangfire
* Experience working in high-compliance or enterprise domains (healthcare, finance, security)
Why Join Us
* Opportunity to own and influence major platform transformation
* Senior leadership role with long-term architectural impact
* Work in a modern engineering culture with autonomy and trust
* Strong career progression across Principal, Head of Engineering and Enterprise Architecture paths
* Collaborative team of senior engineers and leaders committed to excellence
How to Apply
For a confidential conversation, please reach out directly to Ryan Quinn on LinkedIn.