Principal Java Engineer

Burns Sheehan; Noordwes; Hybrid; ZAR 1 531 000 - 1 860 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm is seeking a Principal Java Engineer to play a key role in defining architecture and raising engineering standards. This position requires expertise in Java and a strong background in Agile methodologies. You will provide technical leadership within Scrum teams, mentor other engineers, and ensure scalable, secure solutions. This role offers the chance to work with a modern tech stack and drive meaningful software projects while enjoying flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Flexible working

Collaborative environment

Tech-led culture

Qualifications

• High-quality software delivery with a strong track record.
• Ability to drive technical improvements and challenge existing approaches.
• Passionate about clean code and modern engineering practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership within Agile Scrum teams.
• Contribute high-quality production code from day one.
• Champion best-practice development approaches.

Skills

Expert-level Java

Experience with Spring / Spring Boot

Understanding of CI/CD pipelines

Advocate of Agile delivery

Experience with TDD

Tools

AWS

Kubernetes

NoSQL

Job description

Role: Principal Java Engineer

Location: Manchester (onsite once every two weeks)
Working pattern: Hybrid & flexible
Salary: Competitive six-figure potential + bonus (DOE)

Salary- up to- £85,000

Are you an experienced Java Engineer looking to shape technical direction, influence best practice, and lead by example?

This is an opportunity to join a modern, industry-leading software organisation building tech-for-good products used at scale. The business embraces a fail-fast, continuously improving culture and places engineering excellence at the heart of everything it does.

As a Principal Java Engineer, you'll play a key role in defining architecture, raising engineering standards, and supporting the growth of high-performing Agile teams while remaining hands-on with code.

The Opportunity

You will be a senior technical leader within one or more Scrum teams, helping to design and deliver the next generation of a market-leading platform. You'll work closely with engineers, product leaders, and stakeholders to ensure solutions are scalable, secure, and future-proof.

This role suits someone who enjoys technical ownership, mentoring others, and influencing engineering decisions across teams -not just delivering tickets.

About You

• A highly experienced Java Engineer with a strong track record of delivering complex, high-quality software

• Comfortable challenging existing approaches and driving technical improvements

• Passionate about clean code, modern engineering practices, and developing others

• A collaborative communicator who enjoys working across disciplines

• Naturally curious, proactive, and motivated by solving meaningful problems at scale

The Role

• Provide technical leadership within Agile Scrum teams, influencing architecture and design decisions

• Remain hands-on, contributing high-quality production code from day one

• Champion best-practice development approaches including TDD, CI/CD, and automation

• Act as a mentor and coach to senior and mid-level engineers

• Help shape engineering standards, ways of working, and long-term technical strategy

• Collaborate closely with Product, DevOps, and Architecture to drive successful delivery

Technical Environment

• Expert-level Java development experience

• Strong experience with Spring / Spring Boot

• Deep understanding of CI/CD pipelines, automated builds, and DevOps practices

• Strong advocate of Agile delivery with the ability to drive teams forward

• Solid experience with TDD, clean architecture, and scalable system design

• Experience with AWS, Kubernetes, NoSQL, or cloud-native architectures is highly desirable

Why Apply?

• Principal-level influence without losing hands-on engineering

• Modern tech stack and engineering-led culture

• Real impact through meaningful, customer-focused software

• Flexible working and a collaborative, high-trust environment

Burns Sheehan Ltd will consider applications based only on skills and ability and will not discriminate on any grounds.