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 collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning among our Engineers, supporting skill development and technological advancement.

John Lewis E-Commerce & Digital aims to deliver a leading digital customer experience across web, mobile apps, and omnichannel services supporting in-store and contact center assisted service. Given that over 50% of our revenue derives from digital channels, technology is vital to our business. Our systems are based on domain-driven microservice architecture, hosted on an award-winning digital platform, utilizing composable SaaS solutions and legacy applications that are being modernized. These systems must be highly available, resilient, performant, secure, adaptable, and scalable to meet customer needs and business agility.

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

At a glance

• Contract type: This position is a permanent role.

• Salary: £75,000 - £140,000

• Flexible Working: Hybrid role, primarily working from home in the UK and London Head Office, with occasional visits to other locations as needed. Most engineers visit the office once or twice a month, with some requiring more frequent attendance. Offices are open five days a week for more regular work onsite.

Key Responsibilities

• As a Principal Engineer, you will align engineering strategy and roadmap with business objectives, influence operational decisions, and ensure engineering practices support the Partnership's strategy. You will guide team structure, resources, and maturity to optimize capabilities.

• Revisit legacy microservices and extend digital technology into stores, collaborating with stakeholders such as Product Leads, Delivery and Operations Managers, Infrastructure Leads, and Architects. Work with other Principal Engineers responsible for different business areas or technical specialisms.

• Demonstrate a passion for innovative software solutions and a track record of delivering complex, high-quality software.

Essential skills/experience

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

• Experience implementing package 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).

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

• Experience applying Lean and Systems Thinking techniques.

Desirable skills/experience

• ECommerce or retail experience.

• Experience working with legacy systems.

• Hands-on software engineering experience.

• Experience in engineering management or enterprise architecture roles.

Next Steps

• Complete the application form, including CV upload and questions. Refresh the page after each step to ensure completion before the deadline.

• Successful candidates will undergo a screening interview, followed by formal and informal interviews.

• Inform us of any adjustments needed for the recruitment process.

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The partnership

We're the UK's largest employee-owned business, home to John Lewis and Waitrose. We're committed to building a happier world, innovating, and diversifying. As Partners, we share ownership, responsibility, and success, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. We value differences, promote inclusivity, and encourage authenticity.

Important points:

Some roles require pre-employment vetting, including DBS and financial probity checks. Apply promptly, as vacancies may close early due to high interest. We support flexible working arrangements, which can include flexible hours, job sharing, or shorter contracts. Discuss these options with the hiring manager during your interview.