Principal Engineer

4 weeks ago

Sydney, Australia Onset Group Full time

Job Description

Principal Engineer – Build for Scale, Lead with Impact

Do you love tackling technical puzzles that others shy away from? Do you thrive in an environment where your decisions don’t just matter—they define the future? If you're the kind of engineer who balances vision with precision and relishes the opportunity to lead, we’ve got the perfect role for you.

Thriving SaaS company, building innovative cloud-based solutions that power real-world success stories. As our Principal Engineer (2IC to CTO), you’ll steer the architectural helm, drive innovation, and mentor a talented team—all while solving some of the most intriguing challenges in the business.

This isn’t a role for just anyone—it’s for someone who’s been in the trenches of large-scale, reputable businesses. You know what good engineering looks like because you’ve lived it. You’ve navigated scaling systems, balanced technical and business priorities, and collaborated with top-tier stakeholders.

Why This Role?

We know you have options, but here’s why this is worth exploring:

  • Most senior technical position: You’ll be the 2IC to the CTO, a trusted advisor, and the go-to person for driving the technical direction of the company.
  • Real ownership: You won’t just influence decisions—you’ll own them. Your work will have a tangible, long-term impact.
  • Complex challenges: This isn’t maintenance work. It’s solving puzzles that matter, architecting for scale, and delivering systems that others admire.
  • Equity on the horizon: Along with a competitive salary, equity is under active discussion and expected to be in play within the next year, giving you a stake in the company’s success.
  • Growth with purpose: Lead with autonomy, grow your leadership, and help define how we do engineering—not just now, but in the future.

Here’s what makes this role exciting:

  • Architect the Big Picture: You’ll be the strategist behind how our systems grow—scalable, secure, and ready for the next decade of challenges. Your fingerprints will be all over the core tech decisions that matter most.
  • Engage at All Levels: As our Microsoft partner, you’ll confidently hold technical and non-technical conversations with stakeholders across the board, building trust and alignment at every turn.
  • Solve What Matters: Legacy systems? Cross-team challenges? Big leaps forward? You’ll tackle them head-on, designing solutions that not only work but endure.
  • Elevate the Team: Guide senior engineers to grow their craft, challenge the status quo, and embrace continuous learning. Your leadership will set the tone for engineering excellence.
  • Shape the Future: Work shoulder-to-shoulder with the CTO, product teams, and other leaders to ensure technology and strategy work seamlessly together.

What You Bring:

This isn’t your first rodeo. You’ve got:

  • Deep experience: A decade in software engineering, with 5+ years leading teams or solving big-picture problems as an Architect, Staff Engineer, or Principal.
  • Pedigree: You’ve honed your skills in large, reputable businesses where scale isn’t just a goal—it’s reality.
  • Technical chops: .NET, C#, Azure, microservices, distributed systems—you know your way around the stack and have the scars (and triumphs) to prove it.
  • Architectural instincts: You’ve modernized systems, tackled technical debt, and delivered solutions that scale and perform.
  • A knack for mentorship: Whether it’s through code reviews or career advice, you’ve built up those around you.
  • Communication superpowers: You can talk tech with engineers, strategy with executives, and business with stakeholders—and everyone leaves the room understanding you perfectly.

Take the Next Step

If this sounds like the kind of challenge that makes you lean in, let’s talk. We’re looking for someone who’s as excited about building the future as we are—and has the technical, strategic, and leadership skills to make it happen.

Ready to lead with impact? 

Apply Now or Email Dani - danielle@theonset.com.au

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