Principal Engineer Database Platform
?? Location: Sheffield, UK (Hybrid)
?? Contract: 6 months (with possible extension)

Were seeking a highly experienced Principal Engineer to lead the strategy, design, and evolution of enterprise-scale database infrastructure within a major banking environment. This is a senior technical leadership role ideal for someone passionate about modern database platforms, large-scale architecture, and driving engineering excellence.

What Youll Be Doing

• Define and drive the long-term strategy for database infrastructure aligned with business and IT goals
• Act as the go-to expert for database technologies, advising senior stakeholders and engineering teams
• Co-lead the architecture and implementation of shared database platforms (DBaaS/PaaS)
• Partner with Product Owners, Architects, and stakeholders to shape technical requirements and solutions
• Identify and resolve engineering challenges while strengthening cross-functional capabilities
• Champion innovation by evaluating emerging technologies and modern engineering practices
• Serve as a key technical decision-maker, balancing performance, scalability, and risk
• Improve operational efficiency through automation and process optimisation

What Were Looking For

• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field
• 10+ years of engineering experience, including 5+ years in senior/principal roles
• Deep expertise in database technologies (relational, NoSQL, distributed SQL) across IaaS/DBaaS environments
• Strong experience in infrastructure architecture, performance tuning, and capacity planning
• Hands-on knowledge of microservices, API development, automation, and application design
• Solid understanding of SRE principles, DevOps practices, and Infrastructure as Code
• Experience with modern testing practices and engineering tooling
• Proven success delivering large-scale enterprise solutions
• Strong leadership, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills
• Experience working in global, matrixed organisations
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to simplify complex technical concepts