Director of Engineering

Placements24; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 108,000 - 189,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive bonus potential

Executive health/dental/vision plans

Robust retirement plan with employer 5

Stock options potential

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 partners with a leading technology innovator to hire a Director of Engineering in Randburg, Gauteng, ZA. You will define the engineering strategy, lead multiple teams, and drive scalable software delivery in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate has a Master’s in Computer Science or Software Engineering (PhD a plus), 10–12 years in software engineering with 5+ years in senior leadership, and deep cloud/microservices experience.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field (PhD a plus).
• 10–12 years in software engineering; 5+ years in senior leadership or management.
• Experience leading and scaling engineering teams in fast-paced technology environments.
• Deep understanding of modern software development practices and architectures.
• Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and microservices experience desirable.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the overall engineering strategy aligned with product roadmap and business goals in Randburg, ZA.
• Lead, mentor, and manage multiple engineering teams.
• Oversee end-to-end software development lifecycle from design to deployment and maintenance.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality, scalable software products meeting customer needs.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Strategic thinking

Communication

Collaboration

Agile

Budget management

Hiring

Cloud platforms

Microservices

Education

Master's degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering

PhD is a plus

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

Microservices

Job description

Our client, a leading innovator in the technology solutions space, is seeking an accomplished and forward-thinking Director of Engineering to lead their product development and engineering teams based in Randburg, Gauteng, ZA. This senior leadership role is responsible for architecting and executing the company's engineering strategy, driving product innovation, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, scalable software solutions. The ideal candidate will possess a deep technical background, exceptional leadership skills, and a proven ability to manage and mentor large engineering teams. This is a phenomenal opportunity to shape the technological direction of a fast-growing company and contribute to groundbreaking products.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and drive the overall engineering strategy and vision for the company, ensuring alignment with product roadmap and business objectives in Randburg, Gauteng, ZA.
• Lead, mentor, and manage multiple engineering teams, fostering a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee the entire software development lifecycle, from design and development to testing, deployment, and maintenance.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality, scalable, and reliable software products that meet customer needs and business requirements.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management, Design, and other cross-functional teams to define product requirements and technical specifications.
• Drive best practices in software engineering, including Agile methodologies, code reviews, automated testing, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Manage the engineering budget, including resource allocation, hiring, and operational expenses.
• Attract, retain, and develop top engineering talent, creating a strong and motivated team.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends, identifying opportunities for innovation and technical advancement.
• Promote a culture of technical innovation and problem-solving within the engineering department.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field; PhD is a plus.
• Minimum of 10-12 years of progressive experience in software engineering, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership or management role.
• Proven experience leading and scaling engineering teams in a fast-paced technology environment.
• Deep understanding of modern software development practices, architectures, and technologies.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and microservices architecture is highly desirable.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and team-building capabilities.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and strategic thinking skills.
• Proficiency in Agile development methodologies.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and resources effectively.

Benefits

• A highly competitive executive salary with a significant performance-based bonus and potential stock options.
• Comprehensive executive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous retirement savings plan with substantial employer contributions.
• Ample paid time off and opportunities for professional development conferences.
• Opportunities to lead cutting-edge technology projects and shape product direction.
• A dynamic and intellectually stimulating work environment.
• Company-provided hardware and software for optimal productivity.
• Regular performance reviews and clear career advancement opportunities.
• Collaborative team culture focused on innovation and impact.
• Relocation assistance may be available for candidates relocating to Randburg, Gauteng, ZA.