Lead Full Stack Developer

Placements24; Kempton Park; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Team events

Remote work option

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Full Stack Developer in Gauteng to spearhead engineering, guide a team of developers, and architect scalable software solutions. The role combines hands-on coding with strategic leadership to shape technical direction.

You will mentor juniors, drive architecture decisions, and ensure delivery of high-quality apps using modern stacks and agile practices. The ideal candidate has strong problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field or equivalent practical experience.
• 7+ years of professional full stack development with at least 2 years in leadership.
• Experience with backend languages and frameworks; Python/Node.js/Java/Ruby.
• Strong frontend skills (React/Angular/Vue) and HTML/CSS/JS.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of full stack developers.
• Architect, design, and implement scalable backend and frontend systems.
• Write clean, well-documented code across the stack.
• Define technical requirements and project roadmaps with product stakeholders.
• Oversee SDLC, including deployment and maintenance.
• Conduct code reviews and address technical debt.

Skills

Team leadership

Mentoring

Problem solving

Communication

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

Tools

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)

Docker/Kubernetes

Relational & NoSQL databases

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a fast-growing tech startup specializing in custom software solutions, is looking for a Lead Full Stack Developer to spearhead their engineering efforts in Tembisa, Gauteng. This is a critical leadership role where you will guide a team of talented developers, architect robust and scalable systems, and contribute hands‑on to coding. You will be responsible for the end-to-end development lifecycle, from initial concept and design to deployment and maintenance. The ideal candidate has a proven track record of building complex applications, leading development teams, and a passion for mentoring junior engineers. You will play a pivotal role in shaping the technical direction and ensuring the delivery of high-quality software that meets business objectives. This position offers the chance to make a significant impact in a dynamic and innovative environment, working with modern technologies and agile methodologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of full stack developers, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Architect, design, and implement scalable, reliable, and maintainable backend and frontend systems.
• Write clean, efficient, and well-documented code across the technology stack.
• Collaborate with product managers and stakeholders to define technical requirements and project roadmaps.
• Oversee the entire software development lifecycle, including development, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
• Conduct code reviews to ensure code quality, adherence to standards, and knowledge sharing.
• Identify and address technical debt, optimize application performance, and troubleshoot complex issues.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and industry best practices, and advocate for their adoption where appropriate.
• Ensure the security and integrity of applications and data.
• Contribute to the strategic technical vision of the company.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in full stack development, with at least 2 years in a technical leadership role.
• Expertise in one or more backend languages (e.g., Python, Node.js, Java, Ruby) and associated frameworks.
• Strong proficiency in frontend technologies (e.g., React, Angular, Vue.js) and HTML/CSS/JavaScript.
• Experience with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra).
• Proven experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
• Solid understanding of software architecture patterns, data structures, and algorithms.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and debugging skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to mentor and guide junior developers.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks.
• Experience working in Tembisa, Gauteng or a similar dynamic environment is a plus.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package and a comprehensive benefits plan including medical and retirement contributions. You'll have the flexibility of a remote work setup, allowing you to balance your professional and personal life effectively. Join a forward-thinking company with a strong emphasis on innovation and professional development. This role provides significant opportunities for career advancement and the chance to work on impactful projects using modern technologies. Enjoy a stimulating work environment with regular team-building activities and opportunities to contribute to open-source projects. Access to continuous learning resources and conference attendance to keep your skills sharp.