Principal Software Engineer

AVEVA is creating software trusted by over 90% of leading industrial companies.

Job Title: Principal Software Engineer

Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Employment Type: Full-time

The job  

We're looking for a Lead Software Engineer to take ownership of modernising one of our most sophisticated process optimisation platforms. In this role, you'll play a key part in modernising a mature, high-performance C++ codebase and evolving it into a scalable, cloud-ready architecture — shaping the next generation of industrial software used by organisations worldwide.

This is a hands-on opportunity for someone who enjoys both leading and building. You'll drive architectural decisions, establish engineering best practices, and mentor a distributed Agile team. At the same time, you'll remain close to the technology — designing and delivering complex, production-grade software.

We welcome engineers from a range of backgrounds and experiences. If you’re excited by the challenge of modernisation, enjoy solving complex problems, and like working in a supportive, team-oriented environment, we’d love to hear from you.

Key responsibilities 

• Lead the migration and modernisation of legacy C++ systems into .NET-based, cloud-enabled services across Linux and Windows environments

• Own system and component architecture — from high- and low-level design through to production delivery

• Establish and uphold engineering standards including code quality, TDD, and CI/CD practices

• Ensure cybersecurity compliance across both legacy and modernised systems

• Mentor and develop engineers within a distributed Agile Scrum team

• Collaborate cross-functionally with product, science, and infrastructure stakeholders

• Contribute to technical roadmap planning and architectural decision-making

Essential requirements

• Proven hands-on experience with C++ and .NET (C#) in production environments

• Experience designing and deploying services across Linux and Windows

• Solid understanding of cloud-based architectures, distributed systems, and microservices

• Strong grounding in OOP, design patterns, and software architecture principles

• Demonstrable track record of modernising or evolving legacy codebases

• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, Azure DevOps, and Git

• Experience working within Agile/Scrum environments

• Ability to produce clear system design documentation

Desired skills and competencies

• Background in high-performance computing (HPC) or numerical methods

• Experience in scientific, industrial, or engineering software domains

• Prior experience leading or mentoring engineers in distributed teams

• Strong analytical thinking and structured problem-solving

• Familiarity with cybersecurity practices in regulated or industrial software contexts

R&D at AVEVA 

Our global team of 2000+ developers work on an incredibly diverse portfolio of over 75 industrial automation and engineering products, which cover everything from data management to 3D design. AI and cloud are at the centre of our strategy, and we have over 150 patents to our name.

Our track record of innovation is no fluke – it’s the result of a structured and deliberate focus on learning, collaboration and inclusivity. If you want to build applications that solve big problems, join us.

Find out more: aveva.com/en/about/careers/r-and-d-careers/

UK Benefits include:  

Flexible benefits fund, emergency leave days, adoption leave, 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), pension, life cover, private medical insurance, parental leave, education assistance program.

It’s possible we’re hiring for this position in multiple countries, in which case the above benefits apply to the primary location. Specific benefits vary by country, but our packages are similarly comprehensive.

Find out more: aveva.com/en/about/careers/benefits/

Hybrid working

By default, employees are expected to be in their local AVEVA office three days a week, but some positions are fully office-based. Roles supporting particular customers or markets are sometimes remote.

Hiring process

Interested? Great! Get started by submitting your cover letter and CV through our application portal. AVEVA is committed to recruiting and retaining people with disabilities. Please let us know in advance if you need reasonable support during your application process.

Find out more: aveva.com/en/about/careers/hiring-process

About AVEVA

AVEVA is a global leader in industrial software with more than 6,500 employees in over 40 countries. Our cutting-edge solutions are used by thousands of enterprises to deliver the essentials of life – such as energy, infrastructure, chemicals, and minerals – safely, efficiently, and more sustainably.

We are committed to embedding sustainability and inclusion into our operations, our culture, and our core business strategy. Learn more about how we are progressing against our ambitious 2030 targets: sustainability-report.aveva.com/

Find out more: aveva.com/en/about/careers/

AVEVA requires all successful applicants to undergo and pass a drug screening and comprehensive background check before they start employment. Background checks will be conducted in accordance with local laws and may, subject to those laws, include proof of educational attainment, employment history verification, proof of work authorization, criminal records, identity verification, credit check.  Certain positions dealing with sensitive and/or third-party personal data may involve additional background check criteria.

AVEVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to being an exemplary employer with an inclusive culture, developing a workplace environment where all our employees are treated with dignity and respect. We value diversity and the expertise that people from different backgrounds bring to our business.  AVEVA provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify your recruiter. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.