Principal Python

Derby
2 days ago
Create job alert

Principal Python Developer // Derby (Onsite ) // £70,000 - £80,000

If you're looking for a Principal-level engineering role where you can drive real technical change while working on critical energy systems, keep reading!

In this role you’ll still be building, but you'll also be making architecture decisions, coaching engineers, and guiding delivery standards across a growing digital capability.

The focus is on backend Python systems that underpin the UK’s transition to sustainable, low-carbon energy. From secure APIs and cloud deployments to DevOps pipelines and data management, you’ll be responsible for ensuring high standards, modern engineering practices, and long-term scalability.

What you’ll be doing:

Driving technical direction across backend Python services (Django/Flask)
Shaping cloud infrastructure on AWS, Azure or GCP using Terraform and Kubernetes
Mentoring a cross-functional team of developers and engineers
Working closely with product, DevOps, and senior stakeholders to align delivery
Ensuring systems are secure, resilient, scalable and built with long-term maintainability in mind

Who they’re looking for:

Strong experience designing and building Python APIs in enterprise environments
Comfortable with system architecture, DevOps tooling and infrastructure-as-code
Cloud experience with AWS, Azure or GCP (preferably more than one)
Someone who’s led teams or coached engineers, but still gets stuck into code
Well-versed in Agile and CI/CD delivery – Git, automated testing, deployment pipelines
Must be a sole UK national – SC clearance required

Desirable extras:

Experience with high-assurance or safety-critical software
Exposure to GDS digital service standards
Familiarity with big data, ETL, or ML/AI pipelines
Background in energy, defence, embedded or industrial software a bonus

Why this role?

You’ll have real influence on how key infrastructure software is built and delivered
The engineering culture is moving towards high trust, DevOps-first, cloud-native
You’ll be working with experienced developers, architects, and delivery leads
Long-term investment in your growth with clear routes into Head of Engineering or Enterprise Architecture roles

Benefits:

£70,000 to £80,000 basic salary
Full-time onsite in Derby (due to project security and collaboration)
Enhanced pension and private medical
Annual holiday bonuses and a vibrant Employee Committee
Huge investment in training, leadership coaching, and internal promotion
Work that directly supports the UK's clean energy and net-zero goals

For more information please apply now or contact job poster directly.

Sole UK Nationals only

Seniority Level

Mid-Senior level

Industry

Software Development
IT System Custom Software Development
Information Services

Employment Type

Full-time

Job Functions

Engineering
Consulting
Information Technology

Skills

Git
Python (Programming Language)
Django
Software Development
Kubernetes
Test Automation
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Application Programming Interfaces (API)
Back-End Web Development
J

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Principal Data Engineer...

Principal Test Specialist (DATA)

Principal Data Scientist - Remote

Principal Data Engineer

Principal Data Engineer

Principal Engineer

Get the latest insights and jobs direct. Sign up for our newsletter.

By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Top 10 Best UK Universities for Data Science Degrees (2025 Guide)

Discover ten of the strongest UK universities for Data Science degrees in 2025. Compare entry requirements, course content, research strength and industry links to choose the right programme for you. Data is the currency of the modern economy, and professionals who can wrangle, model and interpret vast datasets are in demand across every sector—from biotechnology and finance to sport and public policy. UK universities have been at the forefront of statistics, artificial intelligence and large-scale computing for decades, making the country a prime destination for aspiring data scientists. Below, we profile ten institutions whose undergraduate or postgraduate pathways excel in data science. Although league tables vary each year, these universities have a proven record of excellence in teaching, research and industry collaboration.

Veterans in Data Science: A Military‑to‑Civilian Pathway into Analytical Careers

Introduction The UK Government’s National AI Strategy projects that data‑driven innovation could add £630 billion to the economy by 2035. Employers across healthcare, defence, and fintech are scrambling for professionals who can turn raw data into actionable insights. In 2024 alone, job‑tracker Adzuna recorded a 42 % year‑on‑year rise in data‑science vacancies, with average advertised salaries surpassing £65k. For veterans, that talent drought is a golden opportunity. Whether you plotted artillery trajectories, decrypted enemy comms, or managed aircraft engine logs, you have already practised the fundamentals of hypothesis‑driven analysis and statistical rigour. This guide explains how to translate your military experience into civilian data‑science language, leverage Ministry of Defence (MoD) transition programmes, and land a rewarding role building predictive models that solve real‑world problems. Quick Win: Take a peek at our live Junior Data Scientist roles to see who’s hiring this week.

Quantum-Enhanced AI in Data Science: Embracing the Next Frontier

Data science has undergone a staggering transformation in the past decade, evolving from a niche academic discipline into a linchpin of modern industry. Across every sector—finance, healthcare, retail, manufacturing—data scientists have become indispensable, leveraging statistical methods and machine learning to turn raw information into actionable insights. Yet as datasets grow ever larger and machine learning models become more computationally expensive, there are genuine questions about how far current methods can be pushed. Enter quantum computing, a nascent but promising technology grounded in the counterintuitive principles of quantum mechanics. Often dismissed just a few years ago as purely experimental, quantum computing is quickly gaining traction as prototypes evolve into cloud-accessible machines. When paired with artificial intelligence—particularly in the realm of data science—the results could be game-changing. From faster model training and complex optimisation to entirely new forms of data analysis, quantum-enhanced AI stands poised to disrupt established practices and create new opportunities. In this article, we will: Explore how data science has reached its current limits in certain areas, and why classical hardware might no longer suffice. Provide an accessible overview of quantum computing concepts and how they differ from classical systems. Examine the potential of quantum-enhanced AI to solve key data science challenges, from data wrangling to advanced machine learning. Highlight real-world applications, emerging job roles, and the skills you need to thrive in this new landscape. Offer actionable steps for data professionals eager to stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving field. Whether you’re a practising data scientist, a student weighing up your future specialisations, or an executive curious about the next technological leap, read on. The quantum era may be closer than you think, and it promises to radically transform the very fabric of data science.