Principal Engineer | JobSetuu

Description

Job Overview

• Source: Jobicy

Job Description

About Us_
// At Masabi, we’re driving the fare payment revolution, powering the journeys of millions all over the world. We build fare collection platforms that allow riders to seamlessly buy and present tickets for public transport either on their mobile phones, from a ticket machine, or even by tapping their bank card to travel. 

Our Justride platform is used in over 250 locations globally, including some of the largest cities in the world. With our industry-first mobile ticketing SDK, we’ve partnered with large players in the transport space, including Uber, Moovit and Transit. 

Your own journey is important to us too. Choosing a role here means joining a network of innovators from all walks of life; a group of passionate individuals who consistently deliver. Here, you’ll find the tools you need to build the career you want. Whether you’re taking the direct route or trying a new path, we’ll support you no matter what. 

The Role_

// We’re looking for a Principal Engineer to join Masabi’s Architecture team.

This is a senior role for someone who combines deep technical expertise with strong judgement and the ability to operate across teams. You’ll help shape the technical direction of Masabi’s platform while staying close enough to the detail to design, review and deliver meaningful technical work.

Working across the engineering organisation, you’ll act as a senior technical leader: defining and evolving architecture, guiding complex decisions, and contributing hands-on where it matters most.

The role suits someone who can move between system-level thinking and implementation, someone who understands trade-offs, can navigate ambiguity, and helps turn complex or loosely defined problems into clear, practical technical approaches.

Responsibilities_

• Shape Masabi’s platform architecture, including platform blueprint definition, standards and best practices

• Design and deliver scalable, robust, cost efficient services aligned with platform blueprint

• Stay hands-on in code and technical delivery, including reviews and targeted contributions

• Identify and work through complex platform challenges related to scalability, performance, resilience and cost

• Act as a senior technical advisor across engineering teams, supporting and influencing technical decisions and ensuring Masabi standards are followed

• Shape and contribute to technical roadmap planning and prioritisation of platform improvements

• Support RFP estimation and technical scoping for complex initiatives

• Produce clear, high-quality technical documentation and architecture artefacts

• Improve how architecture is understood and applied across engineering and the wider business

• Contribute to and help shape technical forums and working groups, including areas such as API and architecture governance

About You_

• You bring strong experience designing and evolving distributed systems and microservices architectures

• You’ve operated at Principal or Staff level, shaping technical direction across multiple teams or domains

• You are comfortable staying hands-on, contributing in code, design and delivery when needed

• You have strong experience with cloud platforms (AWS preferred) and modern infrastructure practices

• You’ve worked on systems where scale, reliability, performance and cost trade-offs matter, and can navigate those decisions thoughtfully

• You have proven experience in data architecture (e.g. data platforms, pipelines, warehousing or data lakes)

• You can take loosely defined (early stage) business or technical problems and turn them into clear, actionable technical approaches

• You communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively, and produce structured documentation that helps both technical and non-technical audiences make decisions

• You’ve contributed to engineering standards, architecture patterns or platform direction

• Interest in or exposure to AI-enabled systems, particularly understanding architectural implications in production

Nice To Have_

• Experience with REST API design in complex, multi-service environments

• Experience breaking monolithic applications into microservices architectures

• Experience with event-driven architectures (e.g. Kafka, schema governance)

• Experience improving cloud cost and system efficiency at scale

• Familiarity with a range of tools and technologies including:

  • Development: Kotlin, Java

  • Data storage: DynamoDB, MySQL

  • Infrastructure as code and CI/CD: Terraform, GitLab CI/CD

// You don’t need to have experience in every area listed above. If you bring strong fundamentals, good judgement and a willingness to learn, we’d still love to hear from you.

Some of Our Benefits_

• 25 days of holiday per year plus the option to buy another 5 days pro-rated

• Private Healthcare via AXA, including pre-existing conditions and mental health

• Life Insurance

• Menopause support

• Choice of workstation

• Ability to work for up to 3 months per year from any country in the world (certain limitations)

• Pension scheme

• Training allowance of up to £1000 per year

• £200 annual allowance for any home office need or improvement

• Enhanced family leave pay

• Cycle to work scheme

• Regular social gatherings with a monthly allowance for each employee

• Fun and collaborative environment with a focus on making a difference in the world

Careers at Masabi are for people going places - driven by a mission to make transit fair and accessible for all.

// We are a network of innovators from all walks of life, passionate about making a difference. At Masabi, we operate with openness and trust, creating an environment where everyone feels empowered to bring their whole, authentic selves to work.

Whoever you are, just be yourself.
// We welcome applications from underrepresented groups, including disabled and neurodivergent people, and can make adjustments at any stage of the process. You’re also welcome to share your pronouns whenever you feel comfortable. Together, we simplify journeys, remove barriers, and improve daily life for millions.

Why Join Masabi?

• Driven by Purpose – We believe in journeys made simple. The work isn’t always easy, but the best things never are.

• Encouraged to Accelerate – Masabi is going places and our people are in the driving seat. Whether you’re taking the direct route or exploring new paths, we support your journey.

• Advancing with Empathy – We put people first and foster a culture of learning, not blame. No matter your cargo, we share the load.

We’re already powering journeys - are you ready to join us?

Expert Career Tips for Principal Engineer Roles

To succeed in a competitive market as a Principal Engineer, you need more than just technical skills. Here are some expert strategies to elevate your profile:

• Build a Strong Portfolio: For technical roles, a clean GitHub or a personal project site is essential. For non-technical roles, a case study portfolio demonstrating problem-solving and impact is equally valuable. Show, don't just tell, what you have achieved in your previous positions.
• Master the Narrative: When interviewing, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Quantify your results wherever possible—mentioning "increased efficiency by 20%" is much more impactful than saying "improved efficiency."
• Continuous Learning: The industry moves fast. Whether it's staying updated with the latest AI tools or mastering a new management methodology, continuous professional development is key. Consider obtaining industry-recognized certifications that align with Principal Engineer requirements.
• Networking: Connect with other professionals in similar roles. Join online communities, attend webinars, and engage in meaningful discussions on professional social networks. Often, the best opportunities come through referrals and community engagement.
• Soft Skills Matter: Communication, empathy, and leadership are often the deciding factors between two equally qualified technical candidates. Cultivate these skills as they are universally valued across all industries and seniority levels.

Additionally, research the specific company's culture and values. Tailoring your application to show how you align with their mission can significantly increase your chances of moving forward in the process.

Salary & Compensation

Salary not disclosed; typically competitive for the role.

Work Arrangement

Type: On-Site

Standard business hours at the office.

Comprehensive Application Strategy & Hiring Process

Applying for a new role is a marathon, not a sprint. Follow this strategic approach to maximize your success rate:

1. Initial Research & Tailoring

Don't send the same resume to every employer. Spend at least 30 minutes researching the company. Look for recent news, their product roadmap, and their team structure. Modify your summary and core competencies to reflect the specific keywords found in the job description.

2. The Perfect Cover Letter

If the application allows for a cover letter, use it to tell a story that your resume cannot. Explain why you are passionate about this specific company and how your unique background makes you the perfect fit for the challenges they are currently facing.

3. Navigating the Multi-Stage Interview

Most modern hiring processes involve 3-5 stages. This typically includes a recruiter screen, a technical or skill-based assessment, a peer interview, and a final leadership round. Prepare for each stage differently: focus on enthusiasm and fit for the recruiter, technical depth for the assessment, and strategic vision for the leadership round.

4. Post-Interview Follow-Up

Always send a personalized thank-you note within 24 hours of each interview. Reference a specific topic discussed during the call to demonstrate your active listening and genuine interest in the role.

By following these steps, you demonstrate a high level of professionalism and attention to detail that sets you apart from the average applicant.

Typical Interview Process

1. Resume screening
2. HR call
3. Skill interview
4. Final manager interview
5. Offer

Tip: Research the company's products and culture.

Global Market Intelligence & Relocation Insights

At JobSetuu, we specialize in helping talent navigate the global job market. Here is what you need to know about the current landscape in Global and beyond:

The demand for skilled professionals is increasingly borderless. For roles based in Global, understanding the local cost of living, visa requirements (if applicable), and cultural nuances is vital. If this is a remote role, consider the time zone alignment and the asynchronous communication culture of the hiring organization.

Relocation Support: Many forward-thinking companies offer relocation packages that include moving stipends, temporary housing, and legal assistance with work permits. When evaluating an offer, look beyond the base salary—consider the total compensation package, including equity, bonuses, and healthcare benefits.

Work-Life Balance Trends: Hybrid and remote work have become standard in many regions. Research the local labor laws and common practices regarding work hours and vacation time to ensure the role aligns with your lifestyle goals.

Leveraging JobSetuu's tools can help you compare salaries across different cities and understand the "purchasing power" of your potential offer, ensuring you make an informed decision for your long-term career path.

Skills & Competency Roadmap for Professional Development

To remain competitive in Professional Development, we recommend focusing on the following core competencies over the next 12-18 months:

• Technical Mastery: Deepen your expertise in the core tools and languages relevant to your field. For developers, this might be cloud architecture; for marketers, it might be data-driven attribution modeling.
• AI Augmentation: Learn how to leverage generative AI and automation tools to increase your productivity. Understanding how to integrate these technologies into your workflow is becoming a non-negotiable skill.
• Leadership & Strategy: Even in individual contributor roles, the ability to think strategically and lead projects from inception to completion is highly valued. Focus on stakeholder management and high-level project planning.
• Data Literacy: The ability to interpret data and use it to drive decisions is essential across all business functions. Familiarize yourself with data visualization and basic analytical concepts.

By investing in these areas, you not only prepare yourself for the role you are applying for today but also build a resilient foundation for the opportunities of tomorrow.

Apply via JobSetuu

Discover your next career milestone on JobSetuu. This Principal Engineer position is part of our commitment to bringing you the most relevant and high-impact job openings globally. At JobSetuu, we simplify your job search by aggregating premier listings and providing the tools you need to stand out. Don't miss the chance to elevate your professional journey—explore more opportunities and career insights on our platform today.