Principal Engineer - Operations Technology

Locations: London, Zurich

Apply for this role

Two people seated at a wooden table against a brick wall, smiling and leaning toward each other.

Technology

In short

With On’s growth, our Finance and Operations Technology teams are growing, and we’re looking for a Principal Engineer to help scale On’s operations and finance platforms.

In this role, you’ll be based in our London office, directly reporting to the Senior Director of Engineering of Operations and Finance Technology, working closely with our operations and finance engineering teams, the product management team and key stakeholders based in Zurich, Berlin and London.

All with the end goal to re-engineer and scale our core Finance and Operations technology platforms, encompassing critical areas such as supply chain, logistics, enterprise resource planning (ERP), and financial systems. All while using the latest technology.

Your entrepreneurial and result-driven mindset, combined with strong hands-on technical oversight and execution skills, will make you a key member of the core team on which On’s future is built.

Your Mission

Lead by example and with inclusion: Drive collaborative projects by seeking diverse viewpoints, emphasising shared knowledge, and making balanced decisions that benefit both Technology at On and the broader company. When required, always be eager to jump hands-on to move On forward and be comfortable with creating things from scratch to lead the team on the right path forward.
Strategically align with business goals: Proactively identify and address critical business areas within Finance and Operations, balancing technical solutions with company objectives for optimal results. Craft strategies that not only respond to immediate operational needs but also anticipate future shifts, bridging the gap between visionary concepts and actionable strategies.
Elevate Technology through Vision: Communicate a compelling vision for the future of technology within Finance and Operations at On, engaging team members and broader business stakeholders. Your passion and dedication to the vision should inspire and galvanise others to action.
Drive Continuous Improvement: Foster a culture where the technical bar is consistently raised. Champion direct feedback and insights as tools to achieve this continuous evolution.
Decisive Leadership: Be at the forefront of high-level decisions that resonate across the organisation. Your choices should always align with, and amplify, On's overarching strategy.
Uphold Security and Compliance: Maintain and enhance On's security standards, ensuring processes minimise risks and stay compliant, particularly across critical Finance and Operations systems.

Two women in athletic clothing sit on a bench with takeaway coffee cups, smiling and chatting after a workout.

Your story

You hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field.
With over 10 years under your belt, you've mastered the art of building and optimising high-performance and availability tech systems.
You bring proven experience as a Principal Engineer, including building and scaling high-traffic services from the ground up by driving significant technical initiatives, and demonstrating strong business acumen.
You possess strong problem-solving skills to tackle complex technical and product challenges, are a genuine team player, and communicate exceptionally well in English.
You are confident working with a modern tech stack, including proficiency in more than one Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) language or TypeScript, Node.js, PostgreSQL, GCP, and Kafka Stream.
You have experience taking part in strategies to attract and retain top-tier engineering talent and are committed to continuously raising the bar within the team through effective mentorship and professional development.
Experience working with external partners and technology vendors is a plus.

Attributes of a successful candidate:

Pragmatic Problem Solver: You excel at tackling complex challenges with practical, efficient solutions, always prioritising simplicity and avoiding unnecessary system complexity.
Collaborative Influencer: A true leader rather than a manager, you're adept at guiding team decisions and fostering consensus through professional and constructive influence.
Committed to Growth and Feedback: You're comfortable providing candid feedback to both peers and leadership, and equally eager to integrate feedback from others to continuously elevate your own expertise.

Two women in activewear run outdoors, smiling, surrounded by greenery and other runners.

About the Team

You will be part of a cross-functional team consisting of engineers, product managers and functional consultants that implement features from design to deployment, being responsible and in charge of the full process and delivery. We encourage you to find new and innovative ways to solve issues through diversity of thought while at the same time enjoying working within a passionate team drawn from the global community. We live agile values, not just talk about it.

Four people work on laptops around a high table in a glass meeting room, while another person walks by outside holding a drink.

Group of people sit and talk at curved concrete benches on a rooftop garden with a city skyline in the background.

What we offer

On is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically – to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere, with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, so each person is led by purpose.

On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination.

Build the better you

What to expect

We want to set everyone up for success, so here’s the lowdown on how we hire. Our process is a two-way street – bringing you into our culture, while helping us learn how you think.

Our full process can last about eight weeks from application to offer, because we care about getting it right. These steps explain how we usually do things.

Before you get started, feel free to consider if you want to work with us. Strange question? Well, we give people a lot of space to navigate their day-to-day and that style isn't for everyone. We want you to be passionate about what you do and be sure this is the right fit. Because when skills and passion combine – it creates that 'Wow' moment.