Principal Software Engineer - Defence

Client Server; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 126,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary to £140k

Bonus

25 days holiday

Social team atmosphere

Job summary

Client Server in Newcastle is seeking a hands-on Principal Software Engineer (Defence) to lead the Defence engineering function, set engineering standards and mentor engineers. This is a full-time onsite role in brand-new Newcastle offices.

You will collaborate with the CTO to guide architectural decisions, promote modern software engineering practices and ensure secure, scalable solutions for Defence clients. A strong distributed-systems background and SC clearance or eligibility are required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2.1 BSc in Computer Science or equivalent from a top-tier university.
• Experience collaborating on complex distributed systems.
• Strong background in defence/national security sector.
• Experience with C#, Java, Python, TypeScript or full-stack tech and cloud platforms (Azure/AWS/GCP).
• Solid understanding of modern software engineering practices and full SDLC.
• Strong CS fundamentals: OOP, data structures, design patterns, algorithms.
• SC Clearance or eligible to achieve it.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow the Defence engineering function and set engineering standards.
• Provide technical leadership across projects and mentor engineers.
• Guide architectural decisions and promote modern software engineering practices.
• Ensure delivery of secure, scalable, high-quality solutions for Defence clients.
• Collaborate with CTO and shape tooling, processes and technologies for growth.

Skills

Distributed systems

Public cloud

Full stack tech

OOP & design patterns

CS fundamentals

Security-minded engineering

Technical leadership

Mentoring engineers

Education

BSc in Computer Science or equivalent

Job description

Principal Software Engineer (Defence) Newcastle onsite to £140k

Are you a hands-on Principal Software Engineer with experience of building high performing teams and shaping engineering excellence?

You could be progressing your career at a rapidly growing technology consultancy as it expands into the Defence and National Security sector. Already well established within Financial Services, the business is investing heavily in its Defence capability, giving you the chance to play a key role in defining its technical direction from the outset.

Collaborating with the CTO, as a Principal Software Engineer you'll lead and grow the Defence engineering function, setting engineering standards, establishing best practices and fostering a culture of technical excellence. You'll provide technical leadership across multiple projects, mentor and develop engineers and help shape the tools, processes and technologies that will underpin future growth.

This is a leadership role for someone who still enjoys solving complex technical problems. You'll act as a senior technical authority, guiding architectural decisions, promoting modern software engineering practices and ensuring teams deliver secure, scalable, high-quality solutions for Defence clients.

Location / WFH:

You'll join colleagues in brand new Central Newcastle offices on a full-time basis (Monday to Friday), working hours 0900-1800 with some flexibility.

About you:

• You have achieved a minimum 2.1 BSc in Computer Science or similar technical discipline from a top tier / Russel Group university, backed by A's at A-level
• You're a technologist who enjoys collaborating and problem solving, working on complex, distributed systems
• You have strong experience in the defence / national security sector
• You have a strong technical background - you can come from any tech background (e.g. C#, Java, Python, TypeScript, Full Stack), public cloud technologies - Azure, AWS, GCP
• You have a good knowledge of modern software engineering best practices and have experience across the full software development lifecycle
• You have a thorough understanding of Computer Science fundamentals such as OOP, Data Structures, Design Patterns, Algorithms
• You're excited to join a scale-up in a role that you can shape and influence
• You have SC Clearance or are eligible to achieve it, ideally you will have experience of working with defence sector clients

What's in it for you:

As a Principal Software Engineer (Defence) you will earn a competitive package:

• Salary to £140k
• Bonus
• 25 days holiday
• Social team atmosphere with a range of events