SYSTRA UK & Ireland
Principal Consultant (Software Development)
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SYSTRA Overview
Around the world, SYSTRA’s specialists plan, design, integrate, test, commission, project manage and deliver mass transit and mobility solutions that are relied on by more than 50 million people every day. For more than 60 years, the Group has been committed to helping cities and regions contribute to their development by creating, improving, and modernising their transport infrastructure with sustainability, accessibility, and innovation at the heart of our designs. With over 8,250 colleagues globally and around 1000 in the UK & Ireland we are growing significantly and seeking out the very best talent to join the SYSTRA signature team and be part of leading the way in infrastructure design.
Principal Consultant (Software Development)
The Principal Consultant (Software Development) will design, build, and maintain high-performance software systems while acting as a technical reference point for less experienced team members. You will work closely with the Technical Lead and cross-functional teams to deliver features that are reliable, testable, and maintainable — contributing to architecture decisions and championing engineering best practices across the codebase.
Main Duties:
- Design, develop, and maintain SYSTRA's proprietary microsimulation software Paramics Discovery using C++, C#, and Python across the full software development lifecycle.
- Write clean, efficient, well-documented code with a strong emphasis on testability and performance.
- Participate in architectural and design discussions, contributing well-reasoned proposals and technical trade-off analysis.
- Review code from peers and provide constructive, detailed feedback that raises the quality bar for the whole team.
- Collaborate with DevOps colleagues to optimise CI/CD pipelines and ensure smooth, repeatable deployments.
- Interact with SQL databases - writing, reviewing, and optimising queries and stored procedures.
- Mentor less experienced developers, supporting their technical growth and embedding best practices.
- Contribute to test strategies including unit, integration, and performance testing.
- Participate in agile ceremonies: sprint planning, stand-ups, retrospectives, and technical refinements.
- Demonstrate behaviours aligned with SYSTRA’s behavioural framework by actively fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, respect, and empowerment, contributing to an environment where all colleagues can thrive, achieve and grow together.
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Skills, Knowledge & Experience
Essential Skills / Knowledge / Experience
- Proficient in C++. Strong command of modern C++ (C++14/17/20), including memory management, templates, STL, and performance optimisation.
- Proficient in C#: Solid experience with the.NET ecosystem, including .NET Core /.NET 6+, async programming, and OOP design patterns.
- Proficient in Python: scripting, automation, data processing, or back-end service development.
- Software Engineering Fundamentals: Deep understanding of algorithms, data structures, design patterns, and SOLID principles.
- Debugging & Testing: Experience with unit testing frameworks (e.g. Google Test, NUnit, pytest) and profiling / debugging complex systems.
- Version Control: Comfortable with Git-based workflows including branching strategies, pull requests, and code review processes.
- Communication: Able to explain technical decisions clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Configuration and deployment of solutions
Desirable Skills / Knowledge / Experience
- SQL: Experience writing and optimising SQL queries, stored procedures, and working with large relational datasets.
- DevOps Practices: Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines (e.g. Jenkins, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps), containerisation (Docker), and infrastructure as code.
- Cloud Platforms: Exposure to AWS, Azure, or GCP - particularly compute, storage, and networking services.
- Regulated Environments: Experience working in high-integrity, or regulated industries (e.g. defence, finance, transport, aerospace) is advantageous.
- Cross-language Systems: Experience integrating components written in multiple languages (e.g. C++ core engine exposed via Python bindings).
Why SYSTRA?
Our three core values: Excellence, Connected Teams and Bold Leadership are kept at the heart of everything we do. We strive for the highest levels of technical excellence, achieving the best results through teamwork, both locally and internationally, and reward innovative thinking through encouraging all colleagues to think as leaders. We offer clear and well supported pathways for career development and qualification attainment, a competitive remuneration package including a bonus and private healthcare, an electric car scheme and a broad suite of flexible benefits to suit your lifestyle.
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Flexibility
Because we value who you are as much as what you do, we want you to feel supported at work. We offer hybrid working, balancing the benefits of working from home with time in our modern, well-equipped offices for that crucial in-person contact, team development, and collaborative working. We also recognise that life does not always run to the same schedule for everyone, so we have a dedicated flexible working policy to support you in tailoring your work life to reach your full potential, for more details on this, please get in touch.
Diversity & Inclusion
We provide a warm welcome and encourage applications from a diverse range of people who can enrich our company and offer perspectives which will drive better solutions in a truly inclusive environment. Our employee led working groups and clearly defined strategy help us to keep at the leading edge of important issues and keep us accountable. We want our colleagues to feel comfortable to bring their whole selves to work and continually seek new ideas and contributions to ensure we continue to grow and develop in this space.
Wellbeing
It is no surprise that people do their best work when they feel physically and mentally supported. Our SYSTRA Wellness Programme offers a wide range of support; from Wellness champions to free health checks, healthy eating workshops, and regular seminars, alongside access to a wide range of external support. We offer two paid days for charity work and an ever-growing social calendar.
Apply
Apply and find out more about how SYSTRA can support you in your career journey. If you require any adjustments or financial assistance to support, you in your application or interview process please email: reasonableadjustments@systra.com where your request will be treated confidentially and with respect. We pledge to offer an interview to any candidates with a disability who apply for a role and meet the minimum criteria.
As we are always looking to expand our team, we would still be interested in hearing from you if you fulfil most, but not all, of the relevant criteria for the role and if you are a returner looking to restart your career after a period outside the workplace – you could be just what we are looking for.
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