Client Server
Principal Software Engineer - Defence

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Principal Software Engineer (Defence)
Newcastle onsite to £140k
Are you a hands-on Principal Software Engineer with experience of building high performing teams and shaping engineering excellence?
You could be progressing your career at a rapidly growing technology consultancy as it expands into the Defence and National Security sector. Already well established within Financial Services, the business is investing heavily in its Defence capability, giving you the chance to play a key role in defining its technical direction from the outset.
Collaborating with the CTO, as a Principal Software Engineer you'll lead and grow the Defence engineering function, setting engineering standards, establishing best practices and fostering a culture of technical excellence. You'll provide technical leadership across multiple projects, mentor and develop engineers and help shape the tools, processes and technologies that will underpin future growth.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
This is a leadership role for someone who still enjoys solving complex technical problems. You'll act as a senior technical authority, guiding architectural decisions, promoting modern software engineering practices and ensuring teams deliver secure, scalable, high-quality solutions for Defence clients.
Location / WFH:
You'll join colleagues in brand new Central Newcastle offices on a full-time basis (Monday to Friday), working hours 0900-1800 with some flexibility.
About You
- You have achieved a minimum 2.1 BSc in Computer Science or similar technical discipline from a top tier / Russel Group university, backed by A's at A-level
- You're a technologist who enjoys collaborating and problem solving, working on complex, distributed systems
- You have strong experience in the defence / national security sector
- You have a strong technical background - you can come from any tech background (e.g. C#, Java, Python, TypeScript, Full Stack), public cloud technologies - Azure, AWS, GCP
- You have a good knowledge of modern software engineering best practices and have experience across the full software development lifecycle
- You have a thorough understanding of Computer Science fundamentals such as OOP, Data Structures, Design Patterns, Algorithms
- You're excited to join a scale-up in a role that you can shape and influence
- You have SC Clearance or are eligible to achieve it, ideally you will have experience of working with defence sector clients


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
What's In It For You
As a Principal Software Engineer (Defence) you will earn a competitive package:
- Salary to £140k
- Bonus
- 25 days holiday
- Bupa healthcare
- Generous pension contribution
- Continuous career development opportunities
- Social team atmosphere with a range of events
Apply now to find out more about this Principal Software Engineer (Defence) opportunity.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills