Principal Software Team Lead

Full-Time, Permanent

Inchinnan or Westhill

Please note that this role requires security checks.

The Role

As the Principal Software Engineering Team Lead, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the design and delivery of innovative software solutions across JFD's product portfolio. Leading a talented engineering team, you will drive the development of high-quality software throughout the complete engineering lifecycle, from initial concept and design through to verification, validation, release, and end-of-life support.

This role combines technical expertise with strong leadership, ensuring engineering solutions align with JFD’s engineering strategy, governance framework, and established processes. You will be responsible for guiding teams to successfully deliver compliant, safe, and robust software solutions that meet demanding quality, cost, schedule, and regulatory requirements. Working across multiple product lines, you will champion engineering excellence while fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and innovation.

What you'll be doing

• Lead and inspire a team of software engineers, driving the successful delivery of software solutions in line with JFD's engineering strategy, governance framework, processes, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee software development activities across the full lifecycle, ensuring projects are delivered to the highest standards of quality, performance, compliance, and customer satisfaction.
• Take ownership of software delivery, managing team performance, software quality, and relationships with external suppliers and contractors to achieve programme objectives.
• Provide technical leadership and accountability for software verification, validation, and release activities, ensuring robust engineering practices are followed and approvals are completed within delegated authority levels.
• Ensure the effective management and maintenance of software source code, build environments, and product design documentation, keeping products aligned with the latest industry standards, regulations, and best practices.
• Deliver engineering scope and project objectives within agreed budgets and timescales, while maintaining accurate reporting on scheduling, resource allocation, capacity planning, performance metrics, and corrective actions.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues across Sales, Supply Chain, Production, HSEQS, Bids, and other key stakeholders to develop, review, and deliver effective technical solutions that meet business and customer requirements.
• Lead all aspects of people management, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, mentoring, career development, resource planning, workload allocation, and fostering a high-performing team culture.
• Work in partnership with fellow Engineering Team Leads to share best practice, optimise resources, drive consistency across engineering disciplines, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Champion safe and compliant engineering practices by supporting system safety reviews, managing technical risk registers, developing mitigation plans, and ensuring adherence to company safety policies and certification requirements.
• Support the attraction, development, and retention of software engineering talent, helping to build capability and future-proof the engineering function.