Senior/Principal Python Engineer

MCS Group; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

MCS Group is seeking a Senior/Principal Python Engineer in Belfast to own backend systems and data pipelines. You will shape architectural decisions and work on scale, data ingestion, processing, and storage across cloud, on‑prem, and government environments.

The role emphasizes thinking beyond ticket execution, with ~5+ years of software experience and strong Python skills. Flexible, remote-first with Belfast office and NI/ROI residency required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of software engineering experience.
• Strong backend experience with Python.
• Experience with data pipelines and cloud platforms.

Responsibilities

• Work on backend systems and data pipelines.
• Contribute to architecture and technical design.
• Handle cross-environment deployment (cloud, on‑prem, gov).

Skills

Python

Backend engineering

Data pipelines

Cloud platforms

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

Containers

Job description

Senior / Principal Python Engineer - Belfast

Belfast | £85,000-£100,000 +

EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY

We're working with a growing technology business that is looking for a Senior/Principal Python Engineer to join its Belfast engineering team.

This is a role for someone who enjoys getting stuck into backend engineering, data and architecture, rather than simply working through a list of tickets. The team is working on some major changes to the platform, so there is a good opportunity for someone senior to have a real say in how things are built.

What's the role about?

At a high level, you'll be working on the backend systems and data pipelines that sit behind the wider platform.

There's a lot of data involved, so a big part of the challenge is making sure it can be ingested, processed, organised and stored efficiently at scale.

The technology is primarily Python, alongside cloud technologies, databases, containers and serverless architecture.

The team is also going through a period of change and improvement, so you'll be involved in things like reworking the ETL platform, developing a new stateful backend and building out a Knowledge Database.

There's also the added challenge of supporting the platform across different environments, including cloud, on-premise and government environments.

Who would suit it?

This would suit someone who has moved beyond purely delivering defined pieces of work and enjoys thinking about the bigger picture.

You'll ideally have around 5+ years of software engineering experience, with a strong backend background and good experience with Python.

You don't need to have worked in cybersecurity before. What matters more is that you're comfortable working with:

• Python and backend systems
• Large amounts of data
• Data pipelines and databases
• Cloud platforms - AWS would be ideal, but Azure or GCP are also relevant
• Containers and/or serverless technologies
• Technical design and architecture
• Complex problems where there isn't always an obvious answer

Why is it worth a look?

The main attraction is the level of ownership.

This isn't a role where you'll simply inherit an established platform and maintain it. The team is actively changing and improving the architecture, meaning someone joining at Senior/Principal level can have a genuine influence on the direction of the technology.

The Belfast team is also relatively small, so you'll have good visibility and won't get lost in a huge engineering organisation.

There's a good mix of hands‑on development, technical decision‑making and architectural work, making it particularly suited to someone who wants remain close to the code while also having influence over the wider engineering direction.

Salary is £85k-£100k, with flexibility for an exceptional candidate.

Remote first organisation, with a Belfast office - you must reside in NI/ROI and have the full rights to work in the UK.

If you're a strong Python/backend engineer who enjoys data, architecture and solving difficult engineering problems, it's definitely worth a conversation.

All conversations will be treated in the strictest of confidence.