Principal Software Engineer (Python / Javascript) - Contract

Principal Software Engineer (Contract) A major UK scientific and cultural institution is hiring a Principal Software Engineer to lead the development and architecture of high-impact digital platforms that power biodiversity research, digitisation, and data publishing.

Location: London (Hybrid) | Rate: £450-600 per day

The Role

As senior technical lead in a cross-functional engineering team, you’ll guide full-stack development, architecture, and integration across platforms such as the NHM Data Portal and national research infrastructure projects like DiSSCo UK and DToL.

You’ll work across backend and frontend systems, contribute to strategic tech planning, and mentor engineers to ensure scalable, performant, and maintainable software aligned with modern standards and institutional priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead technical design and architecture across key science platforms.

• Drive development of scalable backend services and modern frontends (React/Vue).

• Oversee DevOps practices (CI/CD, Docker, infra-as-code).

• Promote clean code, best practices, and modern tooling across teams.

• Collaborate with product owners and research stakeholders to align platform development with user and research needs.

• Mentor engineers and support a high-performance, collaborative engineering culture.

• Contribute to institutional digital strategy and global biodiversity data standards.

Tech Requirements

• Expert backend development (Python preferred); strong frontend skills (JS/TS, React or Vue).

• Experience with SQL/NoSQL databases (PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Elasticsearch).

• Strong DevOps knowledge: Docker, CI/CD, Ansible, infrastructure-as-code.

• Proven leadership in complex software projects, including architecture, delivery, and mentorship.

• Understanding of accessibility, performance, and security standards in web development.

• Familiarity with TDD/BDD, Git, and Agile delivery methodologies.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates