Head/Director Software Engineer
Posted 2 weeks ago by Vallum Associates
Negotiable
Inside
Hybrid
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom
Summary: The role of Senior Database Engineer involves leading the design and architecture of on-premises DBaaS solutions while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative products and services. This hands-on leadership position requires deep expertise in database technologies and a strategic approach to database infrastructure aligned with business objectives. The engineer will also serve as a subject matter expert, guiding senior leadership and IT teams in technical matters. The position offers a hybrid working arrangement with three days on-site in Sheffield, UK.
Key Responsibilities:
- Co-lead the design and architecture of on-premises DBaaS solutions for Postgres, MongoDB, and SQL Server, and work with teams to implement these solutions.
- Develop and maintain the long-term strategy for database infrastructure, ensuring alignment with Client's IT and business objectives.
- Serve as a subject matter expert and advisor on database technologies, providing guidance to senior leadership and IT teams.
- Collaborate with Product Owners, Architects, and stakeholders to define technical requirements and specifications.
- Stay up to date with industry trends and advancements in engineering practices, and recommend relevant solutions.
- Support the Platform Lead in identifying and addressing engineering challenges.
- Facilitate the development of cross-functional capabilities to address common technical gaps.
- Act as a key decision-maker for technical and risk-related engineering matters.
- Identify opportunities to improve and automate processes.
Key Skills:
- Strong technical proficiency in database technologies (relational, NoSQL, distributed SQL), deployed on IaaS or as part of DBaaS, with an understanding of consumer use cases and infrastructure capabilities.
- Proven experience leading large, enterprise-level engineering projects and delivering quality solutions.
- 10+ years of engineering experience, with at least 5 years in a senior or principal engineering role.
- Expertise in infrastructure components, performance tuning, and capacity planning.
- Hands-on experience with microservices, software development, infrastructure automation, API development, and basic application systems design.
- Strong understanding of Site Reliability Engineering, DevOps practices (CI/CD/CT pipelines, automated testing, code scanning), and Infrastructure as Code.
- Knowledge of industry-standard testing practices and tools.
- Demonstrated technical leadership, team-building, and influencing skills.
- Experience working in a global, matrixed organization.
- Familiarity with regulatory requirements and best practices in the financial industry.
- Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Experience evaluating multiple technology solutions to determine the best fit for specific use cases.
Salary (Rate): undetermined
City: Sheffield
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: hybrid
IR35 Status: inside IR35
Seniority Level: Senior
Industry: IT
The Role: Senior Database Engineer
Location: Sheffield, UK
Position Type: Contract Inside IR35
Remote work option Available: Hybrid – 3 Days Onsite
Job Description: We are seeking an experienced Principal Engineer with deep expertise in database technologies and strong engineering skills to help accelerate the delivery of DBaaS in 2026.
Role Overview
As a Principal Engineer, you will play a key role in shaping our technology direction and delivering solutions. This is a hands-on leadership position, working closely with cross-functional teams to design and implement new products and services that meet business needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Co-lead the design and architecture of on-premises DBaaS solutions for Postgres, MongoDB, and SQL Server, and work with teams to implement these solutions.
- Develop and maintain the long-term strategy for database infrastructure, ensuring alignment with Client's IT and business objectives.
- Serve as a subject matter expert and advisor on database technologies, providing guidance to senior leadership and IT teams.
- Collaborate with Product Owners, Architects, and stakeholders to define technical requirements and specifications.
- Stay up to date with industry trends and advancements in engineering practices, and recommend relevant solutions.
- Support the Platform Lead in identifying and addressing engineering challenges.
- Facilitate the development of cross-functional capabilities to address common technical gaps.
- Act as a key decision-maker for technical and risk-related engineering matters.
- Identify opportunities to improve and automate processes.
Experience and Qualifications
- Strong technical proficiency in database technologies (relational, NoSQL, distributed SQL), deployed on laaS or as part of DBaaS, with an understanding of consumer use cases and infrastructure capabilities.
- Proven experience leading large, enterprise-level engineering projects and delivering quality solutions.
- 10+ years of engineering experience, with at least 5 years in a senior or principal engineering role.
- Expertise in infrastructure components, performance tuning, and capacity planning.
- Hands-on experience with microservices, software development, infrastructure automation, API development, and basic application systems design.
- Strong understanding of Site Reliability Engineering, DevOps practices (CI/CD/CT pipelines, automated testing, code scanning), and Infrastructure as Code.
- Knowledge of industry-standard testing practices and tools.
- Demonstrated technical leadership, team-building, and influencing skills.
- Experience working in a global, matrixed organization.
- Familiarity with regulatory requirements and best practices in the financial industry.
- Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Experience evaluating multiple technology solutions to determine the best fit for specific use cases.