Principal Software Engineer

Company: SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™
Apply for the Principal Software Engineer
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Job Description:

Principal Software Engineer – Defence – Newcastle

Hybrid (4 days onsite) | Up to £130,000 + Bonus

The UK’s defence technology landscape is changing rapidly.

As new programmes emerge across defence, national security and sovereign capability, a growing tech consultancy is building a dedicated engineering capability to tackle some of the sector’s most complex software challenges.

They’re looking for a senior technical leader to work directly alongside the CTO, helping shape the direction of the business whilst remaining close enough to the technology to influence how systems are designed and delivered.

It’s not a people management role disguised as engineering.

It’s for someone who still enjoys solving difficult technical problems, reviewing architecture, mentoring engineers and setting the standard for software excellence – all whilst being able to have a client facing focus!

You’ll help:

  • Shape the technical direction of a growing defence practice
  • Lead software delivery across complex defence and national security programmes
  • Define engineering standards, tooling and best practice
  • Mentor and develop high-performing engineering teams
  • Work closely with customers, stakeholders and senior leadership

Essential Experience Needed:

  • Strong experience delivering software within defence or national security environments
  • A 2:1 or above from a Russell Group University, or overseas University of equal standing
  • Expertise in modern software development using technologies such as C#, Java or Python
  • Experience leading technical teams, architecture decisions or engineering strategy
  • The ability to communicate confidently with both engineers and senior stakeholders externally

This is an opportunity to join at an early stage, influence the direction of a growing capability and help build technology that genuinely matters.

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Posted: June 26th, 2026