Principal Consultant and Tech Lead

WRK Digital; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology consultancy in Leeds is looking for a Principal Software Engineer & Technical Lead. You'll shape technical strategies on client projects while maintaining hands-on coding. The role requires deep expertise in JavaScript, AI, and cloud-native solutions. The position offers hybrid flexibility and a commitment to professional development, along with excellent benefits including private healthcare and a generous holiday allowance.

Benefits

Private healthcare

4% matched pension

Enhanced parental leave

Gym/streaming subsidy

25 days holiday + bank holidays + loyalty days

Monthly professional development day

Qualifications

• Strong technical foundation in JavaScript & TypeScript.
• Experience with AI-enabled features or products.
• Ability to design scalable APIs and cloud-native solutions.
• Hands-on with CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure as code.
• Passionate about TDD and engineering best practices.
• Confident in presenting to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience guiding technical teams and influencing stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Design robust architectures and build high-quality features.
• Drive architectural decisions and best practices.
• Work directly with clients to translate business requirements.
• Work with cutting-edge technologies including AI and modern frameworks.
• Conduct code reviews and foster continuous learning.

Skills

Expert-level JavaScript & TypeScript

AI experience

Architecture expertise

DevOps proficiency

Quality champion

Communication skills

Leadership potential

Tools

AWS

Next.js

React

React Native

Job description

Principal Software Engineer & Technical Lead - Consultancy

Leeds City Centre with Hybrid Working

£65,000-£90,000 + Benefits

Are you a hands-on technical leader who thrives on solving complex problems and shaping the future of digital innovation? Do you want to work with one of the best tech teams in the business?

WRK digital are delighted to be shortlisting for an exceptional Principal Software Engineer to join a growing technical consultancy, where you'll lead technical strategy on ambitious client projects whilst maintaining a hands‑on approach to development.

What You'll Do

• Lead by example – Design robust architectures whilst getting your hands dirty with code, building high‑quality features and mentoring fellow engineers
• Shape technical vision – Drive architectural decisions, establish best practices, and guide engineering teams through complex technical challenges
• Client collaboration – Work directly with clients during discovery phases, translating business requirements into elegant technical solutions
• Innovation focus – Work with cutting‑edge technologies including AI‑enabled features, modern JavaScript frameworks, and cloud‑native applications
• Team development – Conduct code reviews, and foster a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning

What We're Looking For

• Strong technical foundation – Expert‑level JavaScript & TypeScript with AWS, particularly Next.js, React or React Native
• AI experience – Demonstrable experience building AI‑enabled features or products
• Architecture expertise – Proven ability to design scalable APIs, distributed systems, and cloud‑native solutions
• DevOps proficiency – Hands‑on experience with CI / CD pipelines, infrastructure as code, and containerisation
• Quality champion – Passionate about TDD, automated testing, and engineering best practices
• Communication skills – Confident presenting to both technical and non‑technical audiences
• Leadership potential – Natural mentor with experience guiding technical teams and influencing stakeholders

Why You'll Love It

• Variety & challenge – Work across diverse industries with clients from ambitious SMEs to FTSE 100 companies
• Technical freedom – Influence technology choices and architectural decisions on greenfield projects
• Hybrid flexibility – 1‑3 days per week in modern Leeds city centre office with the flexibility to work from home
• Investment in you – Monthly professional development day plus quarterly hack days
• Excellent benefits – Private healthcare, 4% matched pension, enhanced parental leave, gym / streaming subsidy
• Genuine work‑life balance – 25 days holiday + bank holidays + loyalty days, flexible working arrangements

Ready to take on projects others think impossible?

Our client tackles the challenges that others shy away from, combining technical innovation with exceptional user experience. If you're excited by the prospect of leading technical excellence whilst remaining hands‑on with code, we'd love to hear from you. Please apply now for immediate consideration or contact [e-mail]