There's a platform out there powering festivals, club nights, and everything in between. It handles the chaos before doors open, the surge when tickets drop, and the operations no one notices when things go right. And they're looking for a Principal Engineer to lead where it matters most: architecture, systems thinking, and long-term quality.
Oh, really? Tell me more...
You won't be joining just to keep the lights on. This company builds the engine behind live events. It's smart, ambitious, and growing, and they're quietly rebuilding it from the inside out. This isn't just another SaaS tool with dashboards and deadlines. It's deep tech beneath a vibrant industry. They know what they're building, and they know what your skills are worth.
What do I do here?
You'll lead a rebuild that's already in motion. The platform is shifting from a legacy framework to a cleaner, type-safe Kotlin stack with jOOQ for SQL, OpenAPI for consistent APIs, and Elm powering a safer frontend. This is about designing systems that last, not patching what's already cracking. Define a direction that holds under real-world pressure. Think peak traffic, urgent ticket releases, and thousands of users hitting the system at once. Translate ambitious product ideas into architecture that stays reliable and scales with confidence.
Expect to own critical decisions, but never in isolation. You'll guide developers through reviews and RFCs, coach without controlling, and build momentum by making clarity the default. Across the stack, your fingerprints are everywhere. From backend services to a custom-built waiting room that holds up under demand, your work improves performance, security, and long-term stability.
This isn't a people management role. It's a technical leadership seat where your judgment shapes the platform and your standards shape the team. The tech is evolving fast, and they're counting on you to keep it sharp, simple, and solid.
And do I need some skills?
Yes, this is a senior role and calls for deep experience and enthusiasm. You've been in engineering for 10 years or more and have the track record to show for it. What matters here:
- You're confident working with statically typed backend languages like Kotlin, Java, C#, or C++ and know how to make smart architectural calls
- You're comfortable with relational databases and write SQL that performs
- You have experience with cloud infrastructure such as AWS
- You know your way around Linux and work efficiently in that environment
- You're analytical, decisive, and communicate clearly with others
- You enjoy collaboration but step up naturally when leadership is needed
Furthermore, you stay curious and enjoy exploring new tools and techniques, not for novelty, but for building better systems. An interest in live events helps too. It's the space this product lives in, and the energy you build for it. You're fluent in English. Dutch is a plus. You live in the Netherlands or are open to relocating, ideally in the region between The Hague, Dordrecht, and Gouda. And yes, you've got the right to work here.
What about the salary
Yes, don't worry, they're paying well with a salary between €80.000,- and €95.000,- per year. You'll step into a technically ambitious environment where your work directly powers the live events' industry. The platform is complex, the team is sharp, and the culture encourages autonomy, ownership, and smart decision-making. You'll have the chance to shape systems that scale, grow alongside a fast-moving product, and contribute to something that matters. There's a strong pension setup, regular team events, and the kind of energy that only comes from working on something real. Ready to make it happen? Apply now and we'll talk soon.