C# Principal Software Engineer

PiC; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Private medical insurance

28 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Travel insurance

Critical illness

Life Assurance

Income protection

Job summary

PIC is seeking a highly experienced Principal Software Engineer to provide technical leadership across our technology function, driving the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of enterprise applications and digital services. This senior hands-on role combines deep technical expertise with strong stakeholder management skills and a commitment to engineering excellence.

You will define architecture, set engineering standards, oversee delivery, and ensure scalable, secure solutions aligned

Qualifications

• Experience leading architecture for enterprise applications.
• Strong backend development experience.
• Proven ability to design scalable, secure, maintainable systems.
• Experience with Microsoft Azure cloud services.
• Deep understanding of relational databases and SQL.
• Strong grasp of software architecture and system design.

Responsibilities

• Lead solution architecture and design for scalable, secure enterprise apps.
• Define and champion engineering standards and best practices.
• Own delivery outcomes from concept to deployment and support.
• Drive engineering excellence and manage technical debt.
• Influence stakeholders and translate technical concepts into business outcomes.
• Ensure operational stability and incident management for critical applications.

Skills

C#/.NET

Java

Python

Rust

JavaScript

Backend development

Enterprise software

SQL

Software architecture

Tools

Azure

Job description

Role Purpose

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Software Engineer to provide technical leadership across our technology function, driving the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of enterprise applications and digital services.

This is a senior hands-on role for an individual who combines deep technical expertise with strong stakeholder management skills and a passion for engineering excellence. You will be responsible for defining architecture, establishing engineering standards, overseeing delivery, and ensuring solutions are scalable, secure, maintainable, and aligned to business objectives.

Working closely with architects, engineering teams, business stakeholders, and senior leadership, you will help shape our technology strategy while mentoring engineers and promoting a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Solution Architecture & Design – Own the design and architecture of scalable, secure, and resilient enterprise applications, ensuring alignment with business and technology strategies.
• Drive Technical Leadership – Define and champion software engineering standards, architectural patterns, best practices, and reusable frameworks across the engineering community.
• Own Delivery Outcomes – Lead complex technology initiatives from concept through to deployment and support, taking accountability for successful delivery and resolving challenges proactively.
• Promote Engineering Excellence – Drive improvements in code quality, security, testing, performance, automation, and DevOps practices while managing technical debt and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Influence Stakeholders – Build strong relationships with business and technical stakeholders, translating complex technical concepts into clear business outcomes and influencing strategic technology decisions.
• Ensure Operational Stability – Oversee the support and maintenance of critical applications, ensuring reliability, effective incident management, and ongoing service resilience.

Key Skills & Experience

Experience within financial services, insurance, pensions, or investment management environments or through a consultancy who has provided services in such an environment is preferred.

Essential Technical Skills

• Deep expertise in Microsoft .NET technologies and C#.
• Strong proficiency in one or more additional languages such as Java, Python, Rust, or JavaScript.
• Experience developing back-end applications.
• Experience building and supporting core business applications, shared services, frameworks, or reusable libraries within a complex enterprise environment.
• Experience with Microsoft Azure services and cloud-based application development.
• Strong experience with relational databases and data management technologies, particularly SQL.
• Deep understanding of software architecture, system design, data structures, and algorithms.

Desirable Experience

• Experience of developing front-end applications
• Experience working with data warehouse and analytical platforms

Personal Attributes

• Proven technical experience within a complex technology environment.
• Demonstrates strong ownership and accountability for outcomes.
• Comfortable operating under pressure and managing competing priorities.
• Strong commercial awareness and decision‑making capability.
• Excellent collaboration and relationship‑building skills, with a track record of working effectively across technical and non‑technical stakeholders to deliver successful outcomes
• Growth mindset with a passion for learning, coaching, and mentoring others.
• Ability to challenge constructively, embrace feedback, and continuously improve ways of working.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Exceptional problem‑solving and analytical thinking abilities.
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality.

DE&I at PIC

At PIC, we believe that true innovation stems from embracing diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to building a workplace where every individual, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, or socio‑economic background, feels valued, heard and empowered to succeed. We hold ourselves accountable through ongoing initiatives, such as inclusive hiring practices, and equitable career development opportunities that support belonging and community. While we’re proud of our progress, we recognise there’s work ahead, and we remain dedicated to listening, learning and evolving together.

In addition to a competitive base salary and the opportunity to participate in our annual, performance‑related bonus plan, upon joining us here at Pension Insurance Corporation, you’ll have access to some great benefits, including private medical insurance, 28 days' annual leave (excluding bank holidays), a generous pension scheme, insurance for Travel, Private Medical, Critical Illness, Life Assurance and Income Protection, and much more.