Principal Software Architect

Smarter Grid Solutions (SGS) is a leading provider of Smart Grid products and services with a client list of network and utility companies ranging across UK and North America such as Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks, National Grid Electricity Distribution, UK Power Networks, Avangrid, and SP Energy Networks. Our DERMS (Distributed Energy Resource Management System) software provides the capability to help these distribution utilities to digitize, transition to Distribution System Operators and play their full part in a net zero energy transition. Smarter Grid Solutions is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Electric and, beyond our core product set, we also support wider digitisation projects within Mitsubishi Electric. This role is for a Principal Software Architect to lead one of these projects, reporting to the Chief Architect. Within this role, you will be the lead technical authority for the development of a new suite of software, supported by another software architect whom you will have line management responsibility for. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in a greenfield development project from its inception. Duties & responsibilities Responsible for the analysis, design and high-level engineering of the key hardware, networking and software technology components and applications required for software projects within Smarter Grid Solutions and the wider Mitsubishi Electric Group Responsible for maintaining a knowledge of current and emerging technologies and methodologies within the general enterprise software marketplace, and specifically with regard to critical national infrastructure Responsible for liaising with customers, partners and suppliers as the technical authority for a single product line Responsible for the line management of one other architect working on the same product line Responsible for providing best-in-class technical advice and support to the other business functions within SGS and Mitsubishi Electric Responsible for defining and maintaining a world-class development and delivery culture and set of methodologies to ensure the SGS product brand is consistently excellent and to the highest quality standards Essential experience and qualifications The following skills are deemed desirable for this role: Strong academic track record in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, or similar, relevant course Proven ability to design, model, implement, and test high performance software for mission critical applications Previous experience working in microservices architectures using REST and message queues Experience working within an agile team-based software lifecycle methodology delivering tasks to budget and timescale Expert knowledge in Java, Python or C# Experience working with relational and document databases Good knowledge of DevOps tools (Git, Atlassian, Maven, Docker, Terraform, Ansible, etc.) Linux and Windows experience Networking experience The following skills are additionally deemed highly advantageous to candidates. Cyber security related experience, including system hardening, cryptography, encryption, authentication and authorization Practical experience deploying on-premise applications using Kubernetes Practical experience working with Azure, AWS or Google Cloud Experience working within an ISO certified QA environment Previous experience in the utility sector or related Critical National Infrastructure sector Personal skills Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to make decisions independently A self-starter and great at using own initiative Detail-orientated and high degree of accuracy with work Excellent at planning and organising Professional, courteous Friendly and approachable Diligent and reliable Ability to perform under pressure Demonstrates the ability to solve common problems and to provide immediate solutions Demonstrates the ability to build relationships, both internally and with clients Benefits Competitive salary, dependent upon experience 33 days holiday 5% matched Employer pension scheme Opportunity to participate in the Company's Profit-Sharing Incentive Bonus scheme, up to a maximum of 12% of base salary Private Medical Insurance through Vitality Life Cover (3x) Cyclescheme Flexible / Hybrid Working Opportunities