Principal Java Engineer

VanRath; Derry/Londonderry; Remote; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading payment technology company is seeking a Principal Software Engineer II to drive engineering strategy and build platform capabilities for real-time payment processing. This senior role involves leading development efforts, mentoring teams, and collaborating with stakeholders while enjoying the benefits of a remote-first culture and a competitive salary package.

Benefits

Remote-first culture

Work-life balance

Competitive salary and benefits package

Qualifications

• 10+ years of software development experience.
• Strong background in enterprise architecture.
• Proficient in .NET, Java, or similar languages.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of platform capabilities.
• Provide hands-on coding contributions (~50%).
• Mentor and coach feature teams.

Skills

.NET

Java

API platforms

High-availability systems

Enterprise architecture

Job description

Job Title: Principal Software Engineer II

Location: Remote (UK & Ireland)

Job Type: Full-Time | Permanent

Industry: Fintech / Payment Technology

Recruiting on behalf of a global tech innovator

Overview:

We are currently working with a high-growth, forward-thinking payment technology company to recruit a Principal Software Engineer II. This is a senior leadership role offering the opportunity to drive engineering strategy and build out platform capabilities that power real-time payment processing across a nationwide network.

This role is ideal for an experienced technical leader who thrives in fast-paced, complex environments and is passionate about delivering scalable, secure, and high-performing systems.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the design and development of critical platform capabilities, including APIs, onboarding, billing, and settlement.

Define and maintain architectural standards and best practices across multiple engineering teams.

Provide hands-on coding contributions (~50%) while guiding teams through technical challenges.

Drive improvements to software engineering processes and technical strategy.

Collaborate with senior stakeholders across product, architecture, and operations.

Mentor and coach feature teams, promoting technical excellence and innovation.

Monitor emerging technologies and contribute to build vs. buy decisions.

Maintain internal documentation and contribute to the shared engineering knowledge base.

Key Requirements:

10+ years of software development experience, with a strong background in enterprise architecture.

Proficient in .NET, Java, or similar object-oriented programming languages.

Deep experience with API platforms, SaaS applications, and high-availability systems.

Strong knowledge of databases, messaging systems, caching, and systems integration.

Prior experience in payment systems or financial services is highly desirable.

Proven leadership ability, with experience guiding cross-functional teams.

Comfortable working with ambiguity and driving clarity through technical strategy.

Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence at all levels.

What's on Offer:

Opportunity to work on a platform that supports millions of real-time transactions.

Significant influence over engineering direction and architectural decisions.

Work with modern technologies in a collaborative, innovation-driven environment.

Remote-first culture with flexibility and work-life balance.

Competitive salary and benefits package.

Interested?

If you're a technical leader ready to make a real impact in the fintech space, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now or get in touch for a confidential conversation.