Lead Mobile App Developer (Remote-First)

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Professional development budget

Remote-first culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Mobile App Developer to architect and guide the creation of cutting-edge mobile applications. This remote-first role requires strong leadership and communication to oversee the entire lifecycle from concept to deployment.

You will mentor a team, promote best practices, collaborate with product and design, and deliver high-performance native apps for iOS and Android in a distributed environment.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in mobile app development
• 2+ years in lead/senior role
• Experience with native iOS (Swift/Obj-C) and/or Android (Kotlin/Java)
• Familiarity with cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Flutter is a strong plus
• Solid mobile architecture understanding (MVVM/MVC/VIPER)
• Proficiency with mobile tools/environments (Xcode, Android Studio)
• Experience with RESTful APIs, JSON and mobile networking
• Knowledge of app store submission processes and best practices
• Strong leadership, communication and problem-solving skills
• Proven ability to work in a remote, collaborative team

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and deployment of native mobile apps for iOS and Android.
• Architect robust, scalable mobile solutions and enforce coding standards.
• Mentor and guide a team of mobile developers.
• Collaborate with product management and design to define features and UX.
• Oversee app lifecycle from ideation to post-launch support.
• Ensure performance, quality, and responsiveness of apps.
• Stay updated on mobile tech trends and tools.
• Drive innovation and improve development processes.

Skills

Native iOS/Android

Lead/mentorship

Cross-platform frameworks

Mobile architecture patterns

REST APIs & networking

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Software Eng

Tools

Xcode

Android Studio

REST APIs

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge software development house, is seeking an accomplished Lead Mobile App Developer to architect and guide the creation of next-generation mobile applications. This role is integral to our fully remote operations, demanding exceptional self-discipline and communication skills. You will be responsible for overseeing the entire mobile development lifecycle, from concept and design to deployment and maintenance, ensuring high-quality, performant, and scalable applications. As a lead, you will mentor and inspire a team of mobile developers, foster best practices, and collaborate closely with product management and design teams to deliver outstanding user experiences. We are looking for a technical leader with a passion for mobile technology and a proven ability to deliver complex projects in a distributed team environment. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of mobile innovation for our company, embracing the freedom and efficiency of a remote-first culture, and making a significant impact from anywhere.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of high-quality native mobile applications for iOS and Android platforms.
• Architect robust and scalable mobile solutions, adhering to best practices and coding standards.
• Mentor and guide a team of mobile developers, fostering their technical growth and productivity.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product managers, designers, and backend engineers, to define app features and user experience.
• Oversee the entire app lifecycle, from ideation and prototyping to release and post-launch support.
• Implement and maintain efficient, reusable, and reliable code.
• Ensure the performance, quality, and responsiveness of applications.
• Stay abreast of the latest mobile technology trends, frameworks, and tools.
• Drive innovation in mobile development and continuously improve development processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of professional experience in mobile app development, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior role.
• Expertise in native iOS development (Swift, Objective-C) and/or Android development (Kotlin, Java).
• Experience with cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Flutter is a strong plus.
• Solid understanding of mobile architecture patterns (e.g., MVVM, MVC, VIPER).
• Proficiency with mobile development tools and environments (Xcode, Android Studio).
• Experience with RESTful APIs, JSON, and mobile networking.
• Knowledge of app store submission processes and best practices.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a remote, collaborative team environment.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and potential for performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance.
• Generous paid time off and flexible working hours.
• Dedicated budget for professional development and training.
• Opportunity to lead and shape innovative mobile projects.
• The full autonomy and flexibility of a remote-first work environment.