Principal Automation Engineer

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Note: Interviews will be held in person

Please note: interviews will be held in person, further information can be found in the selection process section.

The Home Office Automation and Innovation portfolio delivers the government's commitment to "set the standard for excellence in the AI age" - harnessing cutting‑edge technology to revolutionise public service delivery. As outlined in the Government's Generative AI Framework, we're in "a period of rapid and exciting technological changes, which offers huge potential", and we're turning that potential into reality.

Our work spans Home Office mission‑critical operations, such as transforming Border Security and immigration processes, to revolutionising asylum case management and enhancing Counter‑Terrorism capabilities. Imagine developing technology that helps reunite families, creates safer communities, protects vulnerable people, and ensures smoother journeys for the millions travelling to and from the UK.

Each area presents unique challenges where AI and automation can deliver substantial efficiency savings and improve outcomes for the public and colleagues.

We are keen for Engineers to continue learning new technologies, we have a large range in the Home Office including:

• Supporting implementation against strategy; leading multiple engineering teams in line with our architecture and professions.
• Planning our workforce and recruiting civil servants, building a strong technical talent pool; coaching and mentoring as necessary.
• Ensuring the engineering activities undertaken in teams under your supervision are following suitable standards.
• Supporting technical decision making, feeding into roadmaps and overall strategy for the Engineering function in your area. Presenting decisions up and down the organisation clearly.
• Coordinating with other engineering leads to form an overall community, acting as the central point of contact in your area and leading collaborative efforts.

Your skills for this role

As a Principal Engineer you will have a demonstrable passion for building and managing teams of engineers and experience of:

• Ensuring projects adhere to agreed standards, methods, architecture and tools, with a focus on security and privacy (lead sift criteria).
• Producing complex technical designs in collaboration with architects, whilst ensuring that these are scalable, secure and fit for purpose, and reviewing others’ designs.
• Monitoring team performance. Coaching colleagues and teams to develop skills and capabilities in line with their goals.
• Formally defining the need for and/or implementing training plans for engineers to meet the strategic goals of the organisation.
• Controlling, updating and distributing organisational standards including national and international, such as GDPR or OWASP.
• Exceptional pension: Employer contribution of 28.97%.
• Generous leave: 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 with service), 8 public holidays, and 1 day for the King’s Birthday.
• Flexible working: Options include full-time, part-time, compressed hours, job sharing, and a hybrid model (minimum 60% on‑site).
• Learning and development: Access to training, technical accreditations, and funded qualifications (subject to approval).
• Inclusion and recognition: A culture that champions diversity, enhanced parental leave schemes, annual bonuses, and recognition awards.

Please note: This role requires SC clearance. To meet national security vetting requirements, you must typically have been resident in the UK for at least five years.

Ready to lead and innovate? Click "Apply" to access the full job description and salary details.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Information Technology, Design, and Engineering

Industries

Robotics Engineering, Engineering Services, and Information Services