Head of Engineering

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Stock options or equity

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria, Gauteng, seeks a Head of Engineering to lead our expanding software teams in a hybrid role, blending strategic leadership with hands-on architecture oversight.

The role drives engineering excellence across development, QA, and infrastructure, shaping the technology roadmap, governance, and strong collaboration with product management to deliver secure, scalable software solutions for our clients.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years in software engineering with at least 5 years in a senior leadership or management role (e.g., Director of Engineering, VP of Engineering).
• Proven track record leading large, complex software development projects.
• Deep understanding of software architecture, design patterns, and modern development methodologies (Agile, DevOps).
• Strong experience in managing and scaling engineering teams.
• Excellent technical leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and microservices architectures is highly desirable.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop engineering talent.
• Experience in the Gauteng technology sector is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for all engineering activities and teams.
• Oversee the entire software development lifecycle, from concept to deployment and maintenance.
• Build, mentor, and manage high-performing engineering teams, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Define and implement engineering best practices, coding standards, and quality assurance processes.
• Collaborate closely with product management, design, and other departments to align engineering efforts with business goals.
• Manage the engineering budget, resource allocation, and project timelines effectively.
• Drive technical decision-making, architecture design, and technology roadmap development.
• Ensure the scalability, reliability, and security of all software products and systems.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends to maintain a competitive edge.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional growth within the engineering department in Pretoria.

Skills

Strategic leadership

People management

Communication

Stakeholder management

Mentoring engineering talent

Education

Master's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

Microservices architectures

DevOps practices

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering technology firm specializing in innovative software solutions, is seeking an experienced and visionary Head of Engineering to lead their expanding development teams based in **Pretoria, Gauteng, ZA**. This senior leadership position is crucial for driving technical excellence, fostering a collaborative engineering culture, and ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality software products. The role involves strategic oversight of all engineering functions, including software development, quality assurance, and infrastructure. This is a hybrid position, offering a blend of strategic leadership at our **Pretoria** office and the flexibility to work remotely, allowing for a balanced and productive work environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for all engineering activities and teams.
• Oversee the entire software development lifecycle, from concept to deployment and maintenance.
• Build, mentor, and manage high-performing engineering teams, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Define and implement engineering best practices, coding standards, and quality assurance processes.
• Collaborate closely with product management, design, and other departments to align engineering efforts with business goals.
• Manage the engineering budget, resource allocation, and project timelines effectively.
• Drive technical decision-making, architecture design, and technology roadmap development.
• Ensure the scalability, reliability, and security of all software products and systems.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends to maintain a competitive edge.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional growth within the engineering department in **Pretoria**.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in software engineering, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership or management role (e.g., Director of Engineering, VP of Engineering).
• Proven track record of successfully leading large, complex software development projects.
• Deep understanding of software architecture, design patterns, and modern development methodologies (Agile, DevOps).
• Strong experience in managing and scaling engineering teams.
• Excellent technical leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and microservices architectures is highly desirable.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop engineering talent.
• Experience in the **Gauteng** technology sector is a plus.

Benefits

• Highly competitive annual salary of R .
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous stock options or equity grants.
• Performance-driven annual bonuses.
• Flexible hybrid work arrangement.
• Professional development budget for conferences, courses, and certifications.
• Retirement savings plan with employer contribution.
• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates moving to **Pretoria**.