Principal Software Engineer

Aviva; Leatherhead; On-site; GBP 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance company in Leatherhead is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to drive technical leadership in software development. You will lead a team, design innovative solutions, and ensure high standards in design, security, and automation. Ideal candidates have strong experience with .NET, agile methodologies, and a passion for mentoring others. This position offers a competitive salary, bonuses, and generous employee benefits.

Benefits

Salary circa £85,000

Bonus opportunity of 12%

Generous pension scheme

29 days holiday plus bank holidays

Employee discounts

£1,200 in free Aviva shares per year

Supportive policies including parental leave

Flexible benefits including sustainability options

Paid volunteering days

Wellbeing support and tools

Qualifications

• Experienced software architect or technical expert eager for a challenge.
• Leadership capability in mentoring teams and aligning stakeholder interests.
• A strong passion for software development and engineering practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across all stages of software development.
• Lead a team of engineers and work closely with senior stakeholders.
• Design complex applications and set software standards.

Skills

Strong experience delivering complex software using .NET (C#), ASP.NET MVC/Web API

Modern JavaScript frameworks like Angular or React

Skilled in backend development with tools like Entity Framework, Oracle, SQL Server, and AWS

Comfortable working across legacy and modern UI technologies (HTML, CSS, Bootstrap)

Proven leadership in agile environments

Solid understanding of software governance, assurance, and risk mitigation

Job description

Principal Software Engineer

Salary: Circa £85,000

Location: Leatherhead, UK

Do you love solving complex technical challenges and inspiring others to deliver impactful solutions?

This is a great job for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys leading technical delivery, and is passionate about shaping the future of software development.

Whether you're an experienced software architect ready for a new challenge or someone with deep technical expertise looking to influence strategy and mentor others—this role could be your next step.

A bit about the job:

You’ll be joining a forward-thinking technology team that designs and delivers innovative software solutions across Aviva Protection.

This role exists to provide technical leadership across all stages of software development, ensuring high standards in design, security, and automation.

You’ll lead a team of engineers, work closely with senior stakeholders, and help shape the strategic direction of our technology landscape.

From designing complex applications to setting software standards and inspiring others—you’ll play a key role in how we build and deliver technology at Aviva.

Skills and experience we’re looking for:

• Strong experience delivering complex software using .NET (C#), ASP.NET MVC/Web API, and modern JavaScript frameworks like Angular or React.
• Skilled in backend development with tools like Entity Framework, Oracle, SQL Server, and AWS.
• Comfortable working across legacy (Web Forms) and modern UI technologies (HTML, CSS, Bootstrap).
• Proven leadership in agile environments—removing blockers, aligning stakeholders, and mentoring teams.
• A solid understanding of software governance, assurance, and risk mitigation.

What you’ll get for this role:

Our purpose – with you today, for a better tomorrow – is a promise we make to our colleagues too. And one of the ways we live up to that promise is by investing in you. We have so much to offer when it comes to being an Aviva colleague:

• Starting Salary Circa £85,000 (depending on location, skills, experience, and qualifications).
• Bonus opportunity of 12% (Actual amount depends on your performance and Aviva’s.)
• Generous pension scheme - Aviva will contribute up to 14%, depending on what you put in.
• 29 days holiday plus bank holidays, and you can choose to buy or sell up to 5 days
• Make your money go further - Up to 40% discount on Aviva products, and other retailer discounts
• Up to £1,200 of free Aviva shares per year through our Matching Share Planand share in the success of Aviva with our Save As You Earnscheme
• Brilliantly supportive policiesincluding parental and carer’s leave
• Flexible benefitsto suit you, including sustainability optionssuch as cycle to work
• Make a difference, be part of our Aviva Communitiesand use your 3paid volunteering daysto help others
• We take your wellbeingseriously with lots of support and tools
• Take a look to learn more. Put a salary into this calculator to see what your total Aviva Reward could be.

Aviva is for everyone:

• We’re inclusive and welcome everyone– we want applications from all backgrounds and experiences. Excited but not sure you tick every box? Even if you don’t, we would still encourage you to apply. We also consider all forms of flexible working, including part time and job shares.
• We flex locations, hours and working patterns to suit our customers, business, and you. Most of our people are smart working –spending around 50% of their time in our offices every week - combining the benefits of flexibility, with time together with colleagues.

To find out more about working at Aviva take a look here

• We interview every disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the job. Once you’ve applied, please send us an email stating that you have a disclosed disability, and we’ll interview you.

We’d love it if you could submit your application online. If you require an alternative method of applying, please give a call on 02045922145 or send an email to [e-mail]