Principal Software Engineer — Lead Cloud-Scale Systems

The-Very-Group; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible, hybrid working model

Inclusive culture and environment

£1,000 flexible benefits allowance

30days holiday + bank holidays

LinkedIn learning access

Up to 25% discount on Very.co.uk

Matched pension up to 6%

Job summary

The Very Group, a leading digital retailer, is seeking an experienced principal/lead software engineer. You will provide technical leadership, shape engineering strategy, and drive architectural decisions across multiple squads.

You’ll balance code ownership with influence on standards and best practices, delivering scalable, high-quality systems for millions of customers. Join a role that combines hands-on coding with strategic direction, mentoring engineers, and collaborating with Product and

Qualifications

• Experience building modern software solutions in Java and AWS.
• Track record designing and evolving large-scale systems.
• Mentoring engineers and raising technical standards.
• Strong communication and ability to explain complex ideas to non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and direction within multiple squads.
• Influence engineering standards across the wider organisation.
• Drive architectural decisions and tackle complex integration challenges.
• Champion best practices in software quality, reliability and security.
• Coach and mentor engineers to reach their potential.
• Collaborate with Product, Architecture and Engineering teams to turn ideas into products.

Skills

Java

AWS

Systems design

Mentoring

Communication

Emerging tech

Tools

CI/CD tooling

Job description

The Very Group, a leading digital retailer, is seeking an experienced principal/lead software engineer. You will provide technical leadership, shape engineering strategy, and drive architectural decisions across multiple squads.

You’ll balance code ownership with influence on standards and best practices, delivering scalable, high-quality systems for millions of customers. Join a role that combines hands-on coding with strategic direction, mentoring engineers, and collaborating with Product and