Principal Software Engineer

RoboShadow; Brentwood; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

RoboShadow, a fast-growing UK-based cyber security startup, is seeking a hands-on Principal Software Engineer to lead delivery and technical direction.

This is a true player-coach role, not pure management; you will code, review, architect, and mentor while helping scale the engineering function.

Based in Shenfield, Essex, you will collaborate with the founder and leadership team, and travel to meet requirements as needed.

Qualifications

• Strong software engineering experience.
• Experience shipping SaaS or cloud software.
• Good judgement around architecture, delivery, quality, security.
• Strong communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Comfort in a fast-moving startup with evolving structure.
• Interest in cyber security, cloud, AI tools and data-driven SaaS products.

Responsibilities

• Code reviews and guiding the engineering team on architectural solutions.
• Stay technically hands-on while mentoring and coaching developers.
• Collaborate with founder and leadership to improve delivery and platform scalability.
• Shape engineering standards, processes, and delivery discipline.

Skills

Strong software engineering

SaaS/cloud software

Architecture decisions

Communication

Startup environment

Ownership

Tools

C#

Python

AWS

Vue.js

Job description

RoboShadow is a fast-growing UK-based global Cyber Security startup, and we are looking for a hands-on Principal Software Engineer to help us build, improve and scale our engineering function.

It is not a traditional Principal Software Engineer role centred on building new features all day, and it is not an engineering management position. We are looking for a true player-coach: someone technically strong, close to the code, and able to guide other developers and engineers while still getting stuck into the work.

This could suit an experienced Head of Engineering, Engineering Manager, Technical Lead, Principal Engineer, Lead Developer, or even a non-senior Developer or engineer ready to take that next step. You will work closely with the founder, leadership team, product, customer teams, and developers to improve delivery, strengthen the platform, raise engineering standards, and help shape the team as we grow.

PLEASE NOTE: This is an in-office role based in our Shenfield, Essex office (End of the Elizabeth Line), as you will need to work closely with our CTO. Do not apply if you are not willing to travel in 5 days a week.

About RoboShadow

RoboShadow builds enterprise Cyber Security technology across vulnerability management, external attack surface discovery, automated remediation, device monitoring, security benchmarking, compliance reporting, and Microsoft ecosystem integrations.

We are at an exciting stage: the product is live, customers are using it, the opportunity is large, and the engineering function now needs stronger ownership, delivery discipline, technical leadership, and scalable processes.

We use the following tech stack:

• C#
• Python
• Full AWS Microservices
• VUE

This Role Is For You If You:

• Love building technology in a fast-moving startup
• Are technically strong and still enjoy getting into architecture, code, bugs, systems, and delivery blockers
• Want a step up into a senior engineering role
• Understand SaaS products and how engineering, product, customers, support, and commercial teams work together
• Are excited by Cyber Security, cloud platforms, automation, AI tools, Microsoft/Azure environments, and data-heavy systems
• Are hungry, practical, ambitious, and ready to take ownership
• Can work effectively with the RoboShadow team, whether office-based, hybrid, or remote by agreement

What We Are Looking For

PLEASE NOTE:You are going to be going through everyone’s code most of it AI driven and ensure its safe for production, the developers are very diligent, and we have AI but most of your day will be doing code reviews and managing the team / architectural solutions.

We need a Human AI Code Checker,i.e someone who is high in the scale of fluid cognitive ability.

You should be able to demonstrate:

• Strong software engineering experience and current technical credibility
• Experience shipping SaaS, cloud, or product-based software
• Good judgement around architecture, delivery, quality, security, and technical trade-offsStrong communication with both technical and non-technical people
• Comfort working in a startup where priorities move quickly and structure is still being built
• A genuine interest in Cyber Security, automation, cloud platforms, AI tools, data, and SaaS products

Why Join RoboShadow?

This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior engineering role and make a real mark in a growing Cyber Security startup.

You will be close to the code, close to the product, close to customers, close to the developers, and close to the decisions that shape the company.

You will help build the engineering function, improve how we work, strengthen the platform, influence product direction, hire great people, and grow with the business.

We are looking for someone ambitious, practical, technical, and hungry. Someone who wants ownership. Someone who can operate in the detail today and grow into a bigger leadership role tomorrow.

Compensation Structure

£60,000 - £80,000 depending on experience, with share options to be discussed.

This is a full-time role connected to our Shenfield, Essex office (Just at the end of the Elizabeth Line).

You must hold current UK right to work status.