Skills

Leadership Java CI/CD DevOps Docker Kubernetes Scrum Coaching AWS Agile Spring Spring Boot Terraform

Job Specifications

Principal Java Engineer (Hands-On)

80% Coding | Technical Leadership | Modern Platform

Remote First (office visit once a month) - You must live within 1 hr 30 of South Manchester

£70,000 – £85,000 + Bonus + Excellent Benefits

**My client is not able to provide Visa sponsorship

We’re working with a long-established tech company who are building modern platforms within a complex and meaningful domain. They’ve embedded Agile and XP practices across engineering, and they’re now hiring a hands-on Principal Java Engineer to help lead delivery, raise standards, and support the growth of their teams.

This is not an “architect who doesn’t code” role. The expectation is that you’ll be around 80% hands-on, building software alongside the team.

The Opportunity

You’ll work as part of a Scrum team delivering real product outcomes, while also contributing to the broader engineering direction.

The hands-off element of the role includes:

helping lead Scrum ceremonies and delivery
mentoring and coaching engineers
collaborating with other Principals and the Development Manager
contributing to architectural decisions and technical direction

It’s a role for someone who still loves coding, but also enjoys influencing how teams work and how systems evolve.

Tech Stack & Practices

Java, Spring Boot
TDD, pairing, strong automated testing culture
CI/CD, continuous delivery mindset
AWS (with a mix of approaches including serverless)
Docker, Kubernetes
Terraform / DevOps tooling

AWS and DevOps exposure is very beneficial at Principal level — but they’re not looking for a pure DevOps engineer. The core of the role is still Java engineering.

What They’re Looking For

Deep, hands-on Java experience with strong engineering judgement
Proven ability to influence standards and mentor engineers
Comfortable balancing delivery with technical leadership
Strong understanding of building maintainable, scalable systems
Experience working in Agile teams with modern practices
Bonus points for AWS, containerisation, IaC, etc.

What’s In It For You?

Remote-first working with minimal office travel
Clear scope: still hands-on, but with meaningful technical influence
Strong salary, bonus and excellent benefits
A collaborative, mature engineering culture
Complex systems, long-term platform work, and real impact

Interested?

Apply now or get in touch for a confidential conversation. Even if you’re not actively looking, it’s a great time to explore what they’re building.

About the Company

Cathcart Technology is an independent, agile, specialist technology recruitment company, headquartered in Edinburgh. Like all good start-up stories, we were founded in 2009 by two industry experts who saw a better way of doing things, in what was already a crowded market. Initially from a two-man cupboard in Edinburgh to a 40 strong team in the heart of George Street, it’s been a hell of a journey. Bootstrapped all the way (start-up speak for no outside investment or loans), we’ve succeeded due to our hard work, honesty... Know more