Principal Systems Engineer

Job Summary

The Data Platforms team is an engineering team within the Data & Analytics division of the Transformation directorate. The role relates to our work in both maintaining our legacy data platforms estate and transforming how the NHS uses data through the Federated Data Platform.

Principal Systems Engineers are responsible for national systems, leading the development and operation of these key systems. Principal System Engineers will work closely with and provide mentorship for Lead Systems Engineers and Senior Systems Engineers while guiding the technical delivery across multidisciplinary teams. We utilise Agile, Lean and DevOps delivery practices, with an emphasis on internet facing services utilising Cloud and open standards to create large scale national solutions for the NHS.

The post of Principal Systems Engineer has been awarded a Recruitment and Retention Premia (RRP) in response to current labour market conditions. In recognition of this, the role attracts an additional monthly RRP payment equal to 25% per annum.

Please be aware that RRP is none contractual and subject to review.

Main duties of the job

This role will report into the Assistant Director of System Engineering

As a Principal Systems Engineer You Will Focus On:

• providing technical leadership for national, highly available distributed systems being built and run within NHS England
• driving up the engineering maturity for these systems
• responsible for cyber security
• identifying and implementing efficiencies in the running these systems
• leading and contributing to broader engineering improvement initiatives across the directorate / organisation, and the ongoing refinement of the engineering principles
  
  

About Us

Our staff bring expertise across clinical, operational, commissioning, technology, data science, cyber security, software engineering, education, and commercial specialisms -- enabling us to design and deliver high-quality NHS services.

We Lead The NHS In England By:

• Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities
• Making the NHS a great place to work, where people can develop and make a difference

Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care

Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation

Delivering value for money

Earlier this year, the Government announced that NHS England will gradually merge with the Department of Health and Social Care, to create a smaller, more strategic centre that reduces duplication and waste.

If successful at interview, we will initiate an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). This retrieves key data from your current or previous NHS employer to support onboarding, including competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement. You may opt out at any stage of the process.

Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in-person.

Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band.

Details

Date posted

04 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£99,380 to £114,511.25 a year (this includes RRP of 25%)(Excluding London HCAS)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

990-TDD-D&A-EC881-E

Job locations

Wellington Place / Wellington House

Leeds / London

LS1 4AP

Job Description

Job responsibilities

Applicants Should Demonstrate Experience In:

• Strong cloud-based platform engineering experience across AWS and/or Azure adopting PaaS and SaaS services
• Implementing security and resilience techniques at system level
• Designing and leading the development of highly available systems
• Working within a team to deliver software in a collaborative way
• Experience of taking a lead role, for example driving design decisions or managing stakeholders effectively.
  
  

It Would Be Advantageous To Have Experience Of:

• Working on enterprise level data platforms in a regulated environment

Handson fullstack engineering, including cloud infrastructure

Coaching and developing engineers

Managing senior and nontechnical stakeholders

Agile delivery

At interview, we will also explore the following competencies: INFLUENCE: Uses evidence to make decisions and build alignment; KNOWLEDGE:Grows and shares expertise; understands evolving user needsBUSINESS SKILLS: Introduces and leads on new technologies, collaborates with peers across the wider organisation; COMPLEXITY: Synthesises complex information and communicates it effectively;AUTONOMY:Empowers others, develops talent, and drives accountability

You can find further details about the role in the attached JD.

Important: Please be aware there are residency requirements you need to meet:

To meet National Security Vetting requirements, SC clearances require 5 years continuous UK residency. In certain cases, this can be reduced to three years continuous UK residency, with additional overseas checks for the previous two years.

All NHS England Principal Systems Engineerpersonnel must hold SClevel as a minimum

You can find further details about the role,including key responsibilities and accountabilities, alongside theorganisational structureand person specificationin the attached Job Descriptionand other supporting documents.

Please make sure you meet these requirements before applying for this role.

Youdontneed to haveSCalready, however, failure to achieve the requirements forSC after offer, will result in the job offer being withdrawn.

For further advice please checkhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels#security-check-scor .

Job Description

It would be advantageous to have experience of:

• Working on enterprise level data platforms in a regulated environment
• Handson fullstack engineering, including cloud infrastructure
• Coaching and developing engineers
• Managing senior and nontechnical stakeholders
• Agile delivery
  
  

At interview, we will also explore the following competencies: INFLUENCE: Uses evidence to make decisions and build alignment; KNOWLEDGE:Grows and shares expertise; understands evolving user needsBUSINESS SKILLS: Introduces and leads on new technologies, collaborates with peers across the wider organisation; COMPLEXITY: Synthesises complex information and communicates it effectively;AUTONOMY:Empowers others, develops talent, and drives accountability

You can find further details about the role in the attached JD.

Important: Please be aware there are residency requirements you need to meet:

To meet National Security Vetting requirements, SC clearances require 5 years continuous UK residency. In certain cases, this can be reduced to three years continuous UK residency, with additional overseas checks for the previous two years.

All NHS England Principal Systems Engineerpersonnel must hold SClevel as a minimum

You can find further details about the role,including key responsibilities and accountabilities, alongside theorganisational structureand person specificationin the attached Job Descriptionand other supporting documents.

Please make sure you meet these requirements before applying for this role.

Youdontneed to haveSCalready, however, failure to achieve the requirements forSC after offer, will result in the job offer being withdrawn.

For further advice please checkhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels#security-check-scor .

Person Specification

Agile delivery

Person Specification

Essential

• Strong cloud-based platform engineering - across AWS and/or Azure adopting PaaS and SaaS services
• Implementing security and resilience techniques at system level
• Designing and leading the development of highly available systems
  
  

Desirable

• Coaching and developing engineers
• Managing senior and non technical stakeholders
• Agile delivery
  
  

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

NHS England

Address

Wellington Place / Wellington House

Leeds / London

LS1 4AP

Employer's website

https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/working-for/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

NHS England

Address

Wellington Place / Wellington House

Leeds / London

LS1 4AP

Employer's website

https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/working-for/ (Opens in a new tab)

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