Head of Engineering

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive compensation

Fully remote work

Executive health benefits

Generous time off & sabbatical

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a visionary Head of Engineering to lead a growing technology division. This fully remote leadership role sets the technical vision, aligns architecture with business goals, and guides distributed teams across locations, including Pretoria and beyond.

You will drive the software lifecycle, mentor engineers, manage the budget, and recruit top talent while collaborating with product, design, and other departments to deliver scalable products.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in software engineering with 5+ years in a senior leadership role
• Proven experience leading and scaling engineering teams in a remote-first or distributed environment
• Deep understanding of software architecture, system design, and modern development practices

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the company's technical strategy, architecture, and roadmap in alignment with business objectives
• Lead, manage, and mentor multiple engineering teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning
• Oversee the entire software development lifecycle, from ideation and design to deployment and maintenance
• Drive innovation by encouraging experimentation, adopting new technologies, and optimizing development processes
• Collaborate closely with product management, design, and other departments to ensure successful product delivery

Skills

Strategic leadership

Remote leadership

Software architecture

Team mentoring

Budget management

Communication

Education

Master's/PhD

Tools

AWS

Azure

CI/CD

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for an visionary and experienced Head of Engineering to lead their rapidly growing technology division. This fully remote leadership role is responsible for setting the technical vision, managing all engineering teams, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, scalable software products. You will be instrumental in building and nurturing a world-class engineering culture, driving innovation, and mentoring a talented group of engineers dispersed across various locations. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of our client's technology stack and product offerings from a strategic, remote perspective, overseeing all technical aspects of the business in Pretoria and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the company's technical strategy, architecture, and roadmap in alignment with business objectives.
• Lead, manage, and mentor multiple engineering teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Oversee the entire software development lifecycle, from ideation and design to deployment and maintenance, ensuring high standards of quality and performance.
• Drive innovation by encouraging experimentation, adopting new technologies, and optimizing development processes.
• Collaborate closely with product management, design, and other departments to ensure successful product delivery.
• Manage the engineering budget, resource allocation, and recruitment processes for the engineering department.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; extensive experience may substitute for advanced degrees.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in software engineering, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., Director of Engineering, VP of Engineering).
• Proven experience leading and scaling engineering teams in a remote-first or distributed environment.
• Deep understanding of software architecture, system design, and modern development practices.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate technical teams.

Benefits

• Executive-level compensation package including base salary, significant bonuses, and equity.
• Full remote work flexibility, allowing you to work from anywhere.
• Comprehensive executive health, dental, and vision benefits.
• Generous paid time off and sabbatical opportunities.
• Significant budget for professional development and continuous learning.
• Opportunity to shape the technological future of a growing company.