Principal Engineer – AI and Technical Digital Innovation in Banking

Package: £200K | Location: Mostly remote (2x a month in-office, with locations across the UK)

Are you ready to lead the AI revolution in banking? Join one of the UK’s leading financial institutions at the forefront of digital transformation, where cutting-edge AI, future facing technology and data-driven innovation are reshaping the future of finance. This is a rare opportunity to influence the direction of AI in banking and empower millions of customers through technology.

We are partnered with a bank known for its commitment to continuous innovation and operational excellence, and we’re seeking a visionary Principal Engineer to lead future facing technology solutions and create the banking experiences of tomorrow. If you’re passionate about impactful leadership and hands-on engineering, this strategic role offers the perfect balance of visionary thinking and technical execution.

Why Join?

• Transformational Impact: Shape the future of digital banking by building platforms that will redefine how customers interact with financial services. Your innovations will influence the industry.
• Leadership & Innovation: Lead, inspire, and mentor teams of world-class engineers while working on state-of-the-art technology systems, including a digital assistant that serves millions of customers daily.
• High-Visibility Role: Your work will not only drive operational efficiency but also be at the core of the bank’s strategy to elevate customer satisfaction and Net Promoter Scores (NPS).
• Remote Flexibility: Enjoy the freedom of working remotely with occasional travel to the bank’s UK offices, allowing for optimal work-life balance.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Team Leadership: Manage and guide large, diverse engineering teams (circa 100 engineers), with three direct reports, ensuring collaborative and efficient product delivery from concept to deployment.
• End-to-End Ownership: Ensure platform stability and resilience through best-in-class processes, delivering continuous improvements while minimizing any disruptions for millions of live customers.
• Risk & Resilience: Proactively manage risks and implement robust failover systems, ensuring the security and resilience of AI platforms in a regulated environment.
• Innovate & Scale: Establish best practices in scalable architecture, DevOps, and CI/CD, making sure AI-driven solutions are efficient, scalable, and future-proof.
• Career Development: Nurture talent, build an internal engineering community, and provide mentorship that enables engineers to thrive and grow.
• Lead AI Innovation: Spearhead the development of the bank’s AI technology roadmap, utilizing Generative AI and cutting-edge tools to create frictionless, personalised banking experiences.

What We’re Looking For:

• Proven experience leading and scaling software engineering teams of 50+ engineers, while still being able to work hands-on when required (systems architecture and solution design).
• A strategic thinker with a track record of delivering high-performing, scalable solutions in cloud environments, with deep familiarity with DevOps and Agile methodologies.
• Expertise in AI, Generative AI, Data Science, or Data Engineering, especially in customer-facing digital solutions for millions of users.
• Experience in building secure, resilient platforms, with a strong understanding of risk management and system resilience.
• A natural mentor, you’re passionate about fostering talent, building high-performing teams, and contributing to a thriving engineering culture.

Perks & Benefits:

• Generous £200K total compensation package.
• Flexible remote working, with only two office visits per month.
• Work for a prestigious financial institution recognized for its technological innovation.
• Make a lasting impact on both the industry and millions of customers.
• Opportunity to work with world-class AI talent and continuously grow your expertise in a cutting-edge technology environment.

This is more than just a job—it’s a chance to lead the next wave of innovation in the financial sector, create products used by millions, and build high-performing engineering teams in an environment that values innovation and growth.

Apply today and send a copy of your CV to