GOC - Principal Engineer

Responsibilities

• Drive Technical Vision and Architectural Strategy
• Define and champion the technical vision and long-term architectural strategy for critical data products, AI platforms, and core services within WPP Open.
• Lead the design and implementation of highly scalable, resilient, and performant distributed systems, ensuring they meet current and future business needs.
• Evaluate and select new technologies, frameworks, and tools, establishing best practices and engineering standards across multiple teams.
• Anticipate technical challenges and opportunities, proactively proposing innovative solutions that align with WPP's strategic objectives.
• Provide Technical Leadership and Mentorship
• Act as a technical leader and role model, providing expert guidance, mentorship, and coaching to senior engineers and engineering managers across multiple teams.
• Drive continuous improvement in engineering practices, code quality, testing methodologies, and operational excellence.
• Lead complex technical discussions, design reviews, and architectural decision-making processes, ensuring robust and well-reasoned outcomes.
• Foster a culture of technical innovation, continuous learning, and accountability within the engineering organization.
• Solve Complex Problems and Deliver Impact
• Take ownership of the most challenging technical problems, providing hands-on expertise and leading cross-functional efforts to find elegant and efficient solutions.
• Ensure that technical solutions align with product requirements and deliver maximum business value, balancing short-term delivery with long-term architectural health.
• Drive the resolution of critical production issues, contributing to incident response and post-mortem analysis to prevent recurrence.
• Influence the overall product roadmap and engineering strategy through deep technical insight and understanding of market dynamics in AdTech.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration and Influence
• Collaborate closely with Product Leadership, Data Science, and other Engineering teams to align technical strategy with product vision and business goals.
• Communicate complex technical concepts and architectural decisions effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including executive leadership.
• Represent WPP's technical capabilities internally and externally, contributing to our reputation as a leader in marketing technology.

Requirements

• If this opportunity looks right for you, we are looking for candidates who have:
• 10+ years of progressive experience in software engineering, with at least 3 years in a Principal Engineer, Staff Engineer, or equivalent senior technical leadership role.
• Demonstrated expertise in architecting, developing, and operating large-scale distributed syst

Benefits

Additional Information

About WPP Media WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships - all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open - we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth. WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working. For more information, visit wppmedia.com . Role Summary and Impact As part of the Global Operations Centre (GOC) , you will work closely with teams across the United States, Europe, and Asia to deliver high-impact solutions in a collaborative, multicultural environment. We are seeking an exceptional and visionary Principal Engineer to join our Data & Technology Solutions leadership team. This is a critical role for an individual who embodies deep technical expertise, strategic architectural thinking, and impactful leadership. You will be responsible for defining the technical vision and direction for core components of our data products and AI platforms, including WPP Open, ensuring their scalability, reliability, and innovation within the demanding AdTech landscape. You will mentor senior engineers, drive best practices, and play a pivotal role in shaping our engineering culture and future. You are: A distinguished technical leader with a proven track record of architecting, building, and delivering large-scale, complex distributed systems. A strategic thinker capable of translating business goals into long-term technical roadmaps and influencing organizational strategy. An inspiring mentor who elevates the technical capabilities and careers of those around them, fostering a culture of engineering excellence. A master problem-solver who thrives on tackling the most challenging technical hurdles and making high-impact decisions. An influential communicator, adept at articulating complex technical concepts to diverse audiences, from junior engineers to executive leadership.

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