Principal Software Engineer (Agentic & Automation)

Lloyds Banking Group; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A major financial institution in Manchester is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to lead automation and AI initiatives. In this role, you will drive technical strategies, mentor engineering teams, and influence senior leadership. The ideal candidate will have significant technical leadership experience, strong software engineering expertise, and skills in Python and cloud platforms. This position offers a competitive benefits package including a generous pension contribution and 30 days' holiday.

Benefits

Generous pension contribution of up to 15%

Annual performance-related bonus

Share schemes including free shares

30 days' holiday, plus bank holidays

Wellbeing initiatives and generous parental leave policies

Qualifications

• Proven experience in technical leadership roles with accountability for strategy and delivery.
• Strong software engineering background.
• Experience leading high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Drive technical implementation for automation and Agentic orchestration.
• Lead and encourage a team of engineers.
• Drive delivery of complex automation solutions.

Skills

Technical leadership

Python

Cloud platforms (GCP preferred)

Automation frameworks

AI orchestration

Job description

Lloyds Banking Group leads the financial industry by integrating automation and AI into its operations. The Principal Software Engineer (Agentic & Automation) role offers the chance to drive world‑class innovation and transformation. This position plays a key role in crafting the future of automation strategies and AI adoption, ensuring the organization maintains a competitive edge.

Responsibilities

• Drive the technical implementation for automation and Agentic orchestration, aligning with Group priorities and influencing senior collaborators.
• Lead and encourage a team of engineers, setting clear objectives, encouraging a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Drive end‑to‑end delivery of complex automation solutions, ensuring governance, scalability, and security.
• Build the roadmap for agentic AI adoption, finding opportunities for enterprise‑wide impact.
• Represent the function at senior leadership forums, influencing decisions and advocating for modernisation.
• Establish and maintain engineering standards and guidelines across the automation community.
• Act as a trusted advisor to business leaders on automation strategy, risk management, and new technologies.
• Mentor and coach technical specialists, building capability and succession within the team.
• Champion multi‑functional collaboration, ensuring alignment between technology, operations, and business units.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in technical leadership roles, with accountability for strategy and delivery in complex environments.
• Strong software engineering background, with expertise in Python and cloud platforms (GCP preferred).
• Strong knowledge of contemporary engineering methods throughout the Software Development Lifecycle that deliver applications quickly while maintaining efficiency, quality, and security.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior collaborators and communicate technical concepts to non‑technical audiences.
• Experience leading high‑performing teams, including mentoring and developing talent.
• Deep understanding of automation frameworks, AI orchestration, and enterprise architecture principles.
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, fast‑paced environments, balancing strategic priorities with operational delivery.

At Lloyds Banking Group, we're driven by a clear purpose; to help Britain prosper. Across the Group, our colleagues are focused on making a difference to customers, businesses and communities. With us you'll have a key role to play in shaping the financial services of the future, whilst the scale and reach of our Group means you'll have many opportunities to learn, grow and develop.

We keep your data safe. So, we'll only ever ask you to provide confidential or sensitive information once you have formally been invited along to an interview or accepted a verbal offer to join us, which is when we run our background checks. We'll always explain what we need and why, with any request coming from a trusted Lloyds Banking Group person. We're focused on creating a values‑led culture and are committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the customers and communities we serve. Together we're building a truly inclusive workplace where all of our colleagues have the opportunity to make a real difference.

We're committed to building an inclusive organisation that reflects modern society. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and offer support through reasonable adjustments if needed.

We also offer a wide‑ranging benefits package, which includes:

• A generous pension contribution of up to 15%
• An annual performance‑related bonus
• Share schemes including free shares
• Benefits you can adapt to your lifestyle
• 30 days' holiday, plus bank holidays
• Wellbeing initiatives and generous parental leave policies