Head of Technology

Ignition Group; Durban; On-site; ZAR 100 000 - 140 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading tech company in Durban seeks a senior software engineering leader to own the software architecture and lead a high-performing team. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in cloud-native systems, a strong DevOps background, and excellent communication skills. Responsibilities include managing AWS infrastructure, ensuring PCI compliance, and fostering team development. This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact within a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 8 years in software engineering with 3 years in a senior leadership role essential.
• Proven experience designing and scaling secure cloud-native systems.
• Hands-on coding ability in modern back-end or full-stack environments.
• Strong understanding of DevOps, CI / CD and monitoring best practices.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end system and application architecture.
• Lead and mentor a team of engineers.
• Manage AWS infrastructure and implement Infrastructure-as-Code.
• Ensure compliance with PCI DSS and internal security standards.
• Design and maintain CI/CD pipelines.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Strategic thinking

Technical Leadership

Team Development

Education

Bachelor's or master's degree in data science, Computer Science, Technology or a related field

Job description

Technical Strategy & Architecture (Core)

• Own the end-to-end system and application architecture.
• Define and evolve the technical roadmap in line with product and group strategy.
• Set standards for code quality documentation testing and design.
• Evaluate and select tools frameworks and platforms to optimize delivery.

Engineering Leadership & Team Development (Core)

• Lead and mentor a team of engineers (currently contractors with future hiring planned).
• Foster a culture of ownership collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Manage team resourcing productivity and performance.
• Provide technical coaching and career development support.

Infrastructure & Cloud (AWS)

• Own AWS infrastructure: architecture security scalability and cost optimization.
• Implement Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) for repeatable automated provisioning.
• Ensure robust networking IAM and access control practices.

Security & Compliance (PCI DSS)

• Ensure compliance with PCI DSS and internal security standards.
• Implement secure development practices and regular vulnerability assessments.
• Collaborate with internal security teams and external auditors.

DevOps Automation & Monitoring

• Design and maintain CI / CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks.
• Implement monitoring logging and alerting (in-house and third-party).
• Drive reliability engineering and system resilience initiatives.

Third-Party Integrations

• Manage technical integrations with key partners.
• Own vendor relationships and ensure robust interoperability.
• Monitor and test third-party dependencies for stability and performance.

Delivery & Hands-On Contribution

• Collaborate with Product to design scalable technical solutions.
• Break down requirements into technical designs and implementation plans.
• Contribute to codebases on critical features or complex problems.
• Conduct code reviews and enforce engineering standards.

Stakeholder Engagement & Group Alignment

• A scalable secure architecture aligned with group strategy.
• PCI compliance achieved and maintained.
• A high-performing engineering team delivering reliably.
• AWS infrastructure optimized for cost performance and security.
• CI / CD pipelines and monitoring systems fully operational.
• Third-party integrations stable and proactively managed.
• Seamless collaboration between Product and Engineering.

Requirements

• Bachelors or masters degree in data science Computer Science Technology or a related field.
• 8 years in software engineering with 3 years in a senior leadership role (e.g. Tech Lead Architect Head of Engineering) essential.
• Proven experience designing and scaling secure cloud-native systems - essential.
• Hands‑on coding ability in modern back‑end or full‑stack environments - essential.
• Strong understanding of DevOps CI / CD and monitoring best practices - essential.

Knowledge Skills and attributes :

• Excellent communication skills across technical and business audiences.
• Strategic thinking : Ability to align technology initiatives with business goals and long‑term vision.
• Technical Leadership : Proven experience leading engineering teams and managing complex technical projects.
• Team Development : Skilled in mentoring coaching and building high-performing engineering teams.

Location: Durban