Principal Software Engineer

Searchability®; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Training and conference budget

Bonus scheme

AI-powered development platforms

Strategic influence on technical方向

Job summary

Searchability® is recruiting a Principal Software Engineer to lead the design and delivery of a major platform rebuild in a hybrid Liverpool setting. You will own critical backend services, APIs and data flows while guiding architectural decisions and maintaining hands-on development.

You'll work with Node.js, TypeScript, React and cloud technologies, mentoring engineers and shaping engineering standards. This is a senior, AI-first environment with opportunities to influence technology strategy

Qualifications

• Strong commercial experience with Node.js and TypeScript.
• Experience with React and Next.js.
• Proven track record designing and delivering scalable software architectures.
• Cloud experience across Azure, AWS or GCP.
• Strong understanding of API design, integrations and distributed systems.
• Experience mentoring engineers and providing technical leadership.
• Passion for modern engineering practices and AI-assisted development.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of scalable backend services, APIs, integrations and data flows.
• Provide architectural guidance across the engineering team.
• Maintain involvement across the full stack with frontend work where needed.
• Establish engineering standards and drive AI-assisted development adoption.
• Mentor engineers and grow the team as the platform expands.
• Influence technology decisions, architecture and long-term platform strategy.

Skills

Node.js

TypeScript

React

Next.js

API design

Distributed systems

AI development

Stakeholder management

Tools

Azure

AWS

GCP

CI/CD

Job description

• Hybrid working – 2 days per week in a Liverpool city centre office
• Opportunity to shape a brand-new platform and influence engineering strategy
• Work within a senior, AI-first engineering environment

KEY POINTS

• Principal-level position with significant technical ownership
• Leading the design and development of a modern platform rebuild
• Strong focus on Node.js, TypeScript, React and cloud technologies
• Opportunity to shape engineering standards, architecture and AI adoption

ABOUT THE CLIENT

We're supporting an established, technology-driven organisation that is investing heavily in the future of its engineering function. Following continued growth and a major platform transformation programme, they are looking to appoint a Principal Software Engineer to play a key role in defining both the technical direction and engineering culture of the business.

This is an opportunity to join at a pivotal stage, working within a highly experienced team that values innovation, collaboration and modern software engineering practices.

THE ROLE:

This is a highly influential technical leadership role where you'll help shape the future of a modern, large-scale platform whilst remaining hands-on with development.

You'll lead the design and delivery of scalable backend services, APIs, integrations and data flows, whilst providing architectural guidance across the wider engineering team. Although the role is backend-focused, you'll also maintain strong involvement across the full stack, working with modern frontend technologies and cloud infrastructure.

Working closely with senior stakeholders, product teams and fellow engineers, you'll help establish engineering standards, drive adoption of AI-assisted development practices, and mentor other engineers as the team continues to grow.

This role offers genuine autonomy, giving you the opportunity to influence technology decisions, engineering processes and long-term platform strategy.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Strong commercial experience with Node.js and TypeScript
• Experience with React and Next.js
• Proven track record designing and delivering scalable software architectures
• Cloud experience across Azure, AWS or GCP
• Strong understanding of API design, integrations and distributed systems
• Experience mentoring engineers and providing technical leadership
• Passion for modern engineering practices and AI-assisted development
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

THE BENEFITS

• Hybrid working model with two office days per week
• Annual training and conference budget
• Company bonus scheme
• Investment in modern tooling and AI-powered development platforms
• Opportunity to influence technical strategy at a senior level
• Clear progression and long-term career development

KEY SKILLS

Principal Engineer, Full Stack Engineer, Node.js, TypeScript, React, Next.js, Azure, AWS, GCP, Software Architecture, Cloud Engineering, API Development, Technical Leadership, Platform Engineering, AI Development Tools, CI/CD