Principal Software Engineer - Java

Salary: £45,000 - 85,000 per year

Requirements:

• We are looking for an experienced software engineer who enjoys solving difficult problems and helping others succeed.
• You may already be operating as a Principal Engineer, or you may be a Senior Engineer who naturally provides technical leadership and is ready for a bigger challenge.
• We are particularly interested in engineers with strong hands-on experience building modern software solutions using Java and AWS.
• You should have a track record of designing and evolving complex systems at scale.
• You should have a passion for clean code, quality engineering and continuous improvement.
• You should have experience mentoring engineers and raising technical standards across teams.
• You should have strong communication skills and the ability to explain complex ideas in a simple way.
• You should have a curiosity for emerging technologies and a desire to continually learn and evolve.

Responsibilities:

• We will look to you for technical leadership, guidance and direction.
• We will have you working closely with Product Managers, Architects, Engineering Managers and fellow Engineers to help shape what we build and how we build it.
• You will design and build software that delivers exceptional experiences for millions of customers.
• You will lead technical decision-making within your squad while influencing engineering standards across the wider organisation.
• You will solve complex architectural challenges and balance todays business needs with tomorrows opportunities.
• You will drive improvements in software quality, reliability, scalability and security.
• You will champion modern engineering practices that help teams deliver faster and with greater confidence.
• You will work closely with Product, Architecture and Engineering teams to turn ambitious ideas into brilliant products.
• You will enhance our CI/CD capabilities and help to create a culture of automation and continuous improvement.
• You will coach and mentor engineers, supporting their development and helping them achieve their potential.
• You will identify technical risks early and guide teams towards practical, sustainable solutions.
• You will share your knowledge both internally and externally, helping strengthen our engineering community and reputation.

Technologies:

• AWS
• CI/CD
• Java
• Security
• Cloud
• Support

More:

We are the team behind digital retailer Very, and our purpose of helping families get more out of life powers everything we do. We want our people to get more out of life too, with flexibility, great perks and benefits, and the freedom to be themselves, keep learning and grow their careers. We are hiring for multiple roles within our FS, Retail and Logistics and Fulfilment squads, and you will get the opportunity to meet members of each squad during our process so we can decide where your skills fit best. This is one of the most influential engineering roles within Very, giving you the chance to stay close to the code while helping shape engineering strategy, champion best practices and drive technical excellence across multiple teams. We offer a flexible, hybrid working model, an inclusive culture and environment, a £1,000 flexible benefits allowance, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, LinkedIn Learning access, up to 25% discount on Very.co.uk, and matched pension up to 6%. Our recruitment process includes a short call, a two-stage interview process, and relevant checks as required for the role.

last updated 36 week of 2026