Principal Engineer / Technology Innovation Lead (m/w/d)

Cuculus - Build the future platform for the energy transition.
 
Most software companies optimize websites.
We optimize the digital nervous system of modern energy grids.
 
At Cuculus, our platform connects millions of smart meters, devices, and grid systems used by utilities around the world. Our software helps run critical infrastructure where reliability, scalability, and security are non-negotiable.
 
We are now looking for someone who will constantly challenge and evolve how we build that platform.
 
Not a manager.
Not a slide-deck architect.
A hands-on technologist who loves improving systems.

As Technology Innovation Lead, you will shape the technological evolution of Cuculus.

Your job is simple in principle and hard in practice:
Find better ways to build our platform - and prove they work.

You will:

• explore new technologies and engineering practices
• build prototypes and technical pilots
• introduce AI-assisted development and automation
• help teams adopt better architectural approaches
• reduce technical complexity and operational cost
• challenge legacy decisions when better solutions exist.

This is a company-wide role working across engineering teams.

You will also coordinate our Architecture Guild, a group of Solution Architects from across the organization who align on major technical decisions.

You influence through technical credibility and working prototypes, not hierarchy.

• building a prototype that proves a new architecture reduces system complexity
• experimenting with AI tools that improve engineering productivity
• reviewing a major technical decision with our Solution Architects
• helping a team rethink part of the platform architecture
• evaluating whether a new framework improves scalability or just adds hype
• demonstrating how automation can eliminate operational friction.

You’re probably someone who:

• has built serious software systems, not just prototypes
• understands distributed systems and platform architecture
• loves testing new technologies in practice
• is curious about AI, automation, and developer productivity
• prefers building things over writing long documents
• enjoys challenging technical assumptions.

You’re comfortable influencing strong engineers because your arguments are backed by working code and sound reasoning.

You won’t be optimizing click-through rates.

You will work on systems that:

• manage millions of connected devices
• process large volumes of operational data
• operate in security-sensitive environments
• support utilities running real energy infrastructure.

You’ll have the freedom to experiment, prototype, and modernize a real platform used in the field.

And you’ll work with engineers who care deeply about building systems that last.

What you can expect from us:

A flexible work setup within Germany (or optionally Europe), with the option to spend time in our offices in Erfurt, Leipzig, or Ilmenau. Flexible working hours and an environment defined by short decision paths and close collaboration across teams. The opportunity to have a real impact by building products that shape the energy market of tomorrow.

Cuculus is the key to providing utilities to all, while protecting the world’s precious resources. Jointly with our international partner network, we provide cutting-edge software and technology solutions to address utility challenges now and in the future. Cuculus will never tire of creating innovative technology and services that enable utilities and organisations to successfully transition to a new era of providing and managing electricity, water, and gas. The work we do is important for individuals, cities, and entire nations. Our work is serious, but we have fun with it, too.