Director of Software Engineering

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Stock options

Health insurance

Paid time off

Remote work

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Director of Software Engineering to drive the architecture, development, and deployment of cutting-edge software solutions. This remote role requires a leader who can mentor managers and senior engineers, promote best practices, and ensure scalable platforms for a global customer base.

You will guide the technical roadmap, oversee SDLC, and align engineering efforts with business priorities while managing budgets and timelines in a remote-first environment.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Engineering, or related technical field.
• 10+ years in software development with 5+ years in senior leadership.
• Experience leading large, distributed engineering teams and cloud architectures.
• Strong knowledge of software architecture, system design, and modern SDLC practices.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, resources, and remote teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multiple software engineering teams, including hiring, mentoring, and performance management.
• Define and drive the technical vision and roadmap for software development projects.
• Oversee SDLC from design to deployment to ensure quality and maintainability.
• Ensure scalable, reliable software solutions and enforce engineering best practices.
• Collaborate with product management and data science to align with business goals.
• Manage technical debt and ensure long-term health of the codebase.
• Foster innovation, learning, and engineering excellence across the organization.
• Manage budgets, resources, and timelines in a remote setting.
• Represent engineering in executive strategy discussions.

Skills

Software architecture

Distributed teams

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)

Leadership

Strategic planning

SDLC management

Agile/Scrum

Budget management

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Master's or PhD in Computer Science or Engineering

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge technology firm at the forefront of AI development, is looking for an exceptional Director of Software Engineering to lead their globally distributed engineering teams. This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere. The ideal candidate will possess a deep technical background combined with strong leadership and strategic vision. You will be responsible for guiding the architecture, development, and deployment of innovative software solutions that drive our client's technological advancements. This role requires a leader who can inspire engineering excellence, foster a culture of innovation, and manage complex projects from conception to delivery in a remote-first environment. We are seeking an individual who can effectively mentor engineering managers and senior engineers, promote best practices in software development, and ensure the scalability and reliability of our client's platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multiple software engineering teams, including hiring, mentoring, and performance management.
• Define and drive the technical vision and roadmap for software development projects.
• Oversee the entire software development lifecycle (SDLC), from design and architecture to implementation, testing, and deployment.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality, scalable, and maintainable software solutions.
• Promote and enforce engineering best practices, coding standards, and quality assurance processes.
• Collaborate closely with product management, data science, and other cross-functional teams to align engineering efforts with business priorities.
• Manage technical debt and ensure the long-term health and maintainability of the codebase.
• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous learning, and technical excellence within the engineering organization.
• Manage budgets, resource allocation, and project timelines effectively in a remote setting.
• Represent the engineering team in executive-level discussions and strategic planning.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience in software development, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., Engineering Manager, Director of Engineering).
• Proven experience leading and managing large, distributed engineering teams.
• Deep understanding of software architecture, system design, and cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Expertise in multiple programming languages and software development methodologies (Agile, Scrum).
• Demonstrated success in delivering complex, large-scale software products.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and motivational skills tailored for a remote workforce.
• Experience managing budgets and project resources.
• Passion for technology and a commitment to engineering excellence.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and stock options.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous paid time off and flexible working hours.
• Annual professional development budget.
• Home office setup stipend and reliable internet reimbursement.
• 401(k) plan with company matching.
• Parental leave benefits.
• Opportunities for significant impact and career growth in a fast-paced environment.
• Access to cutting-edge technology and challenging projects.
• Virtual team events and social gatherings.