Principal Software Engineer

The Role

We’re looking for experienced Principal Software Engineers who enjoy solving complex technical challenges, building scalable systems, and helping engineering teams deliver high-quality software in production environments.

This role sits at the intersection of software engineering, architecture, and cloud/platform engineering. You’ll be designing, building, and guiding the delivery of modern software solutions using technologies such as Java, Python, C#/.NET and Type Script , while working closely with engineering teams to ensure solutions are scalable, secure, and maintainable.

It’s a strong fit for someone who enjoys taking ownership of technical direction, mentoring engineers, and helping shape how systems are designed, built, and operated. We're also looking for engineers who embrace modern engineering practices, including AI-assisted development and agentic ways of working, to help teams work more effectively and deliver greater value.

• Design, build, and guide the delivery of software solutions using Java, Python, C#/.NET and/or Type Script

• Develop cloud-native applications across AWS, Azure, or GCP

• Provide technical leadership on complex projects and programmes of work

• Contribute to system architecture and make key technical decisions

• Work with distributed systems, APIs, and event-driven architectures

• Collaborate with platform teams to ensure reliable, scalable deployments

• Contribute to CI/CD pipelines and improve engineering workflows

• Leverage AI-assisted development tools and agentic workflows to improve productivity and software quality

• Identify opportunities to automate engineering tasks through intelligent tooling and AI

• Mentor engineers and support technical growth across teams

• Work closely with cross-functional teams to deliver production-ready software

• Help establish and promote engineering standards, best practices, and ways of working

• Extensive experience building production systems using Java, Python, C#/.NET or Type Script

• Significant experience working with cloud platforms (AWS preferred, Azure or GCP also considered)

• Strong understanding of system design, distributed systems, and scalable architectures

• Experience building and consuming APIs (REST and event-based systems)

• Experience making architectural decisions and providing technical guidance on complex projects

• Comfortable working across the full software delivery lifecycle (build, deploy, operate)

• Strong understanding of software engineering fundamentals and best practices

• Ability to take ownership and drive technical solutions from concept through to delivery

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills

• Experience mentoring engineers and supporting team development

• Interest in modern AI-enabled engineering practices and continuous improvement

• Experience with React, Angular, or Vue

• Experience with infrastructure-as-code tools such as Terraform or Cloud Formation

• Exposure to containerisation and orchestration technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes

• Familiarity with CI/CD tooling such as Git Hub Actions, Git Lab CI, or Azure Dev Ops

• Experience with serverless architectures

• Experience integrating AI services, LLMs, or agent-based systems into software products

• Experience working across multiple teams, projects, or customer engagements

• Interest in improving engineering standards, tooling, and ways of working through automation and AI-assisted development

We offer flexible hybrid working, but candidates should be based in Northern Ireland and able to attend our Belfast office when required.

At Instil, we believe great work starts with happy, motivated people. That’s why we’ve built a benefits package that supports your wellbeing, growth, and life outside…