Apply on JLP Jobs - the official careers website for John Lewis Partnership, John Lewis & Partners, and Waitrose & Partners.
About the roleThe Partnership is the UK's most successful omni-channel retailer, which includes two of the UK's most loved department store and grocery brands, with annual sales revenues in excess of £12B. Our Engineering practice includes 80+ teams working on everything from Cloud Platforms to Mobile Apps, from E-Commerce functionality to Machine Learning. We foster a collaborative environment where knowledge sharing and continuous learning are highly valued. We support our Engineers to improve their skills and stay updated with the latest technologies.
John Lewis Commercial ensures that John Lewis has the right products to sell at the right price across all sales channels and that the business maintains sufficient stock in the right locations. The technology supporting John Lewis Commercial comprises third-party platforms, bespoke in-house systems, and legacy mainframe applications, all interconnected through integrations. These systems must be resilient and adaptable to improve operational efficiency and meet evolving business needs.
Learn more about being a Software Engineer in the Partnership and the technologies we use.
At a glanceContract type: This position is a permanent contract.
Salary: £75,000 - £140,000
Flexible Working: This is a hybrid role, primarily based in the UK with a mix of remote work and time at London Head Office. Occasional visits to other locations may be required.
As a Principal Engineer, you will align the engineering strategy and roadmap with business objectives, influence operational decisions, and guide engineering practices across John Lewis Commercial. You will also help shape team structures, resource models, and ways of working to deliver optimal capabilities.
Modernise and simplify a complex heritage tech stack to enable agility, productivity, and maintainability. Establish Product ways of working.
Collaborate with stakeholders including Product Leads, Delivery and Operations Managers, Infrastructure Leads, and Architects, as well as other Principal Engineers specializing in cloud or data.
Demonstrate a passion for delivering innovative, high-quality software solutions and a track record of working on complex systems.
Strong engineering background with experience in modern techniques like Continuous Delivery and Domain Driven Design.
Experience integrating solutions into large, complex environments with both modern and heritage technologies.
Leadership experience across multiple teams, working with senior stakeholders, and influencing large investments.
Knowledge of various architectural styles and integration patterns, including resilience and scalability techniques.
Experience applying Lean and Systems Thinking techniques.
Retail experience.
Hands-on software engineering experience.
Experience in engineering management or enterprise architecture roles.
Complete the application form, including uploading your CV and answering questions. Refresh the page after each step.
Successful candidates will undergo a screening interview, followed by a formal interview and up to two informal interviews.
Let us know if you need adjustments during the recruitment process.
We're the largest employee-owned business in the UK, home to John Lewis and Waitrose. We're committed to building a happier world, innovating, and diversifying. As Partners, we share ownership, contribute to our success, and foster an environment of kindness, respect, and inclusion. We believe in making a difference and owning our collective success.
Important points to note:
Some roles require pre-employment vetting, including DBS checks and financial probity checks, which will be explained during recruitment. We encourage quick completion of necessary documentation to avoid delays. Roles may close early if applications are high.
We support flexible working arrangements, including flexible hours, job sharing, or shorter contracts. Discuss these options with the hiring manager during your interview.