Principal Software Engineer

About The Role

Principal Software Engineer
Manchester (Hybrid) | Up to £95,000 + bonus + equity | Permanent

 The coder is not quite dead yet. But the best engineers are already working differently.

We are working with a fast-growing technology consultancy in Manchester to find a Principal Software Engineer who is genuinely ahead of the curve. This is not a 'push tickets, write code, go home' role. You will be hands-on across multiple client engagements, designing systems, leading technical delivery, talking directly to clients, and using AI co-pilots as a standard part of how you work.

The company works across public sector, NHS, defence, and private technology. They are small, credible, and growing quickly. You will be trusted with real ownership from day one.

What you will be doing

• Leading technical delivery across multiple client projects
• Translating client problems into scalable technical solutions
• Hands-on architecture, code, and code review — including AI-generated output
• Mentoring and growing a small, high-calibre engineering team
• Owning sprint delivery and client relationships

What matters most

• Full stack engineering experience — production-grade, not just side projects
• Client-facing ability — you can have a conversation with someone non-technical and actually help them
• You are already using AI co-pilots in your workflow — Copilot, Cursor, or similar
• Curious by nature — you think about technology outside of work. You build things for the love of it.
• Comfortable in fast-moving, fluid environments — no hand-holding, no politics

Useful background (not essential)

• Games development or games programming
• Defence or national security background
• Non-traditional route into engineering

What is on offer

• Up to £95,000 base salary
• Performance bonus, equity, and private healthcare
• 5% employer pension contribution
• £4,000 annual training budget — plus 10% of your time protected for learning
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Flexible core hours — 10am to 4pm, flexi-time around that
• Hybrid working — Manchester city centre base

If you are the kind of engineer who is already thinking about where the industry is going — and you want to work somewhere that is running towards that rather than away from it — get in touch.

 

Apply through this listing or contact Spinwell directly. Applications are reviewed in small batches — no volume, no churn.