RELX

Principal Software Engineer

RELX

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Office

Location: London • 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

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Job Level

Lead

Tech Stack

CloudCypressDockerJavaScriptJestKubernetesNode.jsReactTypeScript

About the role

  • Owning the technical vision, architecture, and delivery of Backstage platform capabilities, plugins, and backend services.
  • Designing and building high-quality, secure, and maintainable full-stack TypeScript solutions (React/Node.js) within Backstage's monorepo and plugin architecture.
  • Defining and upholding engineering standards, patterns, and governance for contributed plugins, templates, and documentation across the platform.
  • Partnering with product managers, UX, business analysts, and non-technical stakeholders to translate needs into clear roadmaps, outcomes, and acceptance criteria.
  • Mentoring engineers and contributors; conducting design and code reviews; elevating best practices in reliability, security, performance, and accessibility.
  • Contributing back to the Backstage open-source community where appropriate, tracking ecosystem changes, and guiding internal adoption.

Requirements

  • Expert proficiency in TypeScript, Node.js, and React
  • Strong command of modern full-stack patterns, state management, and component design.
  • Authentication and authorization: OAuth/OIDC/SSO, token management, session handling, role-based access control.
  • Testing at multiple layers: unit/integration/e2e (Jest, Cypress).
  • Experience with containers and cloud-native delivery (Docker, Kubernetes) and infrastructure-as-code patterns.
  • Exceptional communication and the ability to interface with non-technical stakeholders; translate complex technical concepts into clear narratives and decisions.
  • Strong product mindset: clarify outcomes, define acceptance criteria, and align solutions with business goals.
  • Proven leadership in planning and road mapping; ability to balance strategic investments and near-term value.
  • Mentorship and coaching: elevate team practices through feedback, documentation, and example-driven leadership.
  • Good years of professional software engineering experience, including leadership of complex, multi-team initiatives.
  • BS in Engineering/Computer Science or equivalent experience required; advanced degree preferred.
Benefits
  • Comprehensive Pension Plan
  • Home, office, or commuting allowance.
  • Generous vacation entitlement and option for sabbatical leave
  • Maternity, Paternity, Adoption and Family Care leave
  • Flexible working hours
  • Personal Choice budget
  • Internal communities and networks
  • Various employee discounts
  • Recruitment introduction reward
  • Employee Assistance Program (global)

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard skills
TypeScriptNode.jsReactOAuthOIDCSSOJestCypressDockerKubernetes
Soft skills
communicationmentorshipleadershipproduct mindsetstrategic planningcoachingcollaborationtranslating technical conceptsfeedbackdocumentation
Certifications
BS in EngineeringBS in Computer Scienceadvanced degree preferred