Principal Engineer (ECommerce & Digital)

Apply on JLP Jobs - the official careers website for John Lewis Partnership, John Lewis & Partners, and Waitrose & Partners.

About the role

The Partnership is the UK's most successful omni-channel retailer, including two of the UK's most loved department store and grocery brands, with annual sales revenues exceeding £12B. Our Engineering practice comprises over 80 teams working on Cloud Platforms, Mobile Apps, E-Commerce functionality, and Machine Learning. We foster a collaborative environment where knowledge sharing and continuous learning are valued. Our Engineers are supported to enhance their skills and stay updated with the latest technologies.

John Lewis E-Commerce & Digital is responsible for delivering a leading digital customer experience across web and mobile apps, as well as omnichannel services in stores and contact centres. In retail, where over 50% of revenue is digital, technology is vital. Our systems are built on domain-driven microservice architecture, hosted on a digital platform with SaaS components and legacy systems we are modernizing, all integrated to ensure high availability, resilience, performance, security, and scalability.

Learn more about being a Software Engineer in the Partnership and the technologies we use.

At a glance

• Contract type - This is a permanent position.

• Salary - £75,000 - £140,000

• Flexible Working - This hybrid role involves working from home in the UK and at our London Head Office, with occasional visits to other locations as needed. Office attendance is typically once or twice a month, with more frequent visits possible based on business needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• As a Principal Engineer, you will align engineering strategies with business objectives, influence operations, and guide team structures and practices to deliver optimal capabilities. You will revisit legacy microservices and extend digital tech into stores, collaborating with stakeholders across product, delivery, infrastructure, and architecture teams. A passion for delivering innovative, high-quality software is essential.

Essential skills/experience:

• Strong engineering background with experience in modern techniques like Continuous Delivery and Domain Driven Design.

• Experience implementing solutions in complex environments.

• Leadership experience across multiple teams, working with senior stakeholders and influencing large investments.

• Knowledge of architectural styles (microservices, service-based) and integration patterns (REST, streams, event-based).

• Skills to improve system resilience, performance, security, and evolvability.

• Experience applying Lean and Systems Thinking techniques.

Desirable skills/experience:

• Experience in ECommerce or retail.

• Working with legacy systems.

• Hands-on software engineering background.

• Experience in engineering management or enterprise architecture roles.

Next Steps:

• Complete the application form with your CV and answers to questions. Refresh the page between steps to ensure completion before the deadline.

• Successful candidates will undergo screening and formal interviews, including up to two informal interviews.

Let us know if you need any adjustments during the recruitment process.

The Partnership

We're the UK's largest employee-owned business, home to John Lewis and Waitrose. As Partners, we share ownership and responsibility, fostering a culture of kindness, respect, and inclusivity. We aim to create a workplace where everyone can thrive and be themselves.

Important points:

Some roles require pre-employment vetting, including DBS checks and financial probity assessments, which will be communicated during recruitment. Apply promptly as roles may close early due to high demand.

We support flexible working arrangements, including flexible hours, job sharing, and shorter contracts. Discuss your needs with the hiring manager.