Principal Engineer

Job Title:

Principal Engineer Contract Type:
Permanent

Location:

Edinburgh Working style:
Hybrid 50% home/office based Closing date: 2nd of March 2026

We have a unique opportunity for an experienced Principal Engineer to lead and guide a group of software and quality engineers and lead complex, large scale technology initiatives. The role is fundamentally a leadership position within our Engagement Services Platform team, focused on planning and executing activity that align with both the product vision and organisational goals while adhering to budget constraints.

Within this position you will oversee delivery activity and guidestaff to ensure the engineering teams execute engineering activity on time and within budget whilst adhering to agreed engineering standards and principles. You will also have accountability for the engineering resource assigned to your team and will work closely with the Head of Engineering to ensure the appropriate capabilities are in place to support your area of responsibility.

In addition, you will have accountability for governance and stakeholder management to support successful delivery outcomes.

Collaborating across relevant teams with a growing scope of ownership, the Principal Engineer will drive successful technology delivery within their domain. Additionally, they will act as an escalation point for complex issues, maintaining a focus on resolving delivery challenges and ensuring technology success within their value stream or platform.

Within this position you will ensure that all costs associated with the Technology and Change teams are transparent and managed effectively (including cloud Fin Ops) and that all software assets are managed effectively to maximise cost efficiency

The Engagement Services Platform team are responsible for delivering change and managing service across a variety of Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Brand and Marketing and Group Web systems and services and are at the core of our digital transformation journey/

• Lead engineering projects and teams within value streams and shared platforms, executing multiple projects to stay within budget and time constraints.
• Coordinate day-to-day delivery to ensure effective service execution to ensure effective service delivery through robust validation plans and process improvements
• Develop and implement engineering strategies to enhance company performance, drive innovation, and establish best practices. Thereafter, work with the Engineering Enablement team to industrialise and roll out any new practices/frameworks introduced.
• Oversee the creation of team goals, implementation plans, and research and design tasks.
• Possess a rare blend of engineering expertise and exceptional leadership skills. Focus on maximizing team potential through coaching, mentoring, and creating a supportive work environment. Advocate for team needs, provide necessary resources, and ensure a positive work culture
• Responsible for managing performance evaluations, pay increases, and bonuses. Assess individual and team performance, align rewards with contributions, and ensure equitable compensation practices
• Partner with stakeholders to manage and adjust resources flexibly, handling personnel movement both internally and externally to optimise delivery outcomes
• Serve as the owner of specific applications' life cycles, overseeing their health and performance. Implement and maintain Business As Usual (BAU) practices, ensuring prompt resolution of operational issues and efficient change management
• Working with the procurement team, negotiate contracts with vendors, manage engineering budgets, and oversee financial targets.
• Liaise with key stakeholders across the RL Group, providing expert advice and support. Stay updated on technical standards and legislation, demonstrating strong leadership and problem-solving skills
• Manage role-specific risks, oversee the control framework, and integrate elements of the Risk Management System (RMS) as needed.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to engineers and technicians, offering guidance and training to enhance their capabilities

A highly skilled practitioner with expert…