Principal Software Engineer Backend Platform

Salary: £57,000 - 97,000 per year

Requirements:

• Over 10 years of experience in backend development with deep proficiency in Java and extensive hands-on experience with serverless frameworks such as AWS Lambda or Google Cloud Functions.
• Solid understanding of frontend technologies, including React and Web Components, with the ability to contribute when needed.
• Expertise in designing and managing distributed systems, ensuring scalability, and advanced data modeling techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders across multiple locations, including distributed teams in Europe and the USA.
• Practical expertise in cloud technologies, specifically developing serverless applications on AWS using services such as Lambda, DynamoDB, API Gateway, SNS/SQS, and EventBridge.
• Deep understanding of software development best practices, including design patterns, test-driven development, behavior-driven development, and clean code principles.
• Experience implementing and managing CI/CD pipelines for automated build, deployment, and testing.
• Familiarity with modern DevOps practices and infrastructure as code.
• Proven ability to conduct comprehensive system design reviews, ensuring architectural alignment, scalability, performance, and adherence to best practices.
• Proven experience as a Tech Lead, with a strong track record of mentoring and coaching junior engineers.
• Exceptional collaboration skills, working effectively across cross-functional teams, including Product Managers, Architects, and other engineering leads.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with a track record of troubleshooting and optimizing existing systems for performance, scalability, and cost efficiency.
• Ability to make strategic technical decisions while balancing project deadlines and business goals.
• Preferred: Experience with frontend technologies such as React, Angular, or Web Components.
• Preferred: Familiarity with monitoring and observability tools such as CloudWatch, New Relic, or Datadog.
• Preferred: Knowledge of data modeling and working with NoSQL databases.
• Preferred: Understanding of agile methodologies, including Scrum, XP, and Kanban.
• Preferred: Understanding or experience with AI/ML.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of scalable backend services using Java and serverless technologies.
• Architect and implement RESTful APIs and event-driven systems to support high-performance, distributed applications.
• Provide technical leadership to the team, ensuring alignment with architectural standards and best practices.
• Contribute to the development and integration of user-facing frontend components when needed.
• Analyze and optimize existing services to enhance performance, scalability, and cost efficiency.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Architects, Product Managers, and engineering leads, to deliver innovative and impactful solutions.
• Mentor and guide junior developers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing.
• Oversee the implementation and maintenance of CI/CD pipelines to ensure efficient and reliable software delivery.
• Maintain high standards of code quality through rigorous peer reviews, comprehensive testing, and adherence to industry best practices.
• Create comprehensive documentation for developed shared components, including usage guidelines and examples.

Technologies:

• AI
• API
• AWS
• Lambda
• Angular
• Architect
• Backend
• CI/CD
• Cloud
• CloudWatch
• Datadog
• DevOps
• Frontend
• Support
• Java
• Kanban
• NoSQL
• React
• Serverless
• Web
• XP
• TDD

More:

We are Turnitin, a recognized innovator in global education with over 25 years of experience partnering with educators and institutions to support learning integrity. Our services are used by over 16,000 academic institutions, publishers, and corporations in more than 185 countries, and our team is distributed across more than 35 countries. We offer a remote-first culture, generous time off, health and wellness programs, education reimbursement, parental leave, retirement benefits, volunteer time, and other rewards designed to support your well-being. We value customer centricity, learning, integrity, action and ownership, teamwork, and a global mindset, and we encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet every criterion.

last updated 36 week of 2026