Lead Software Architect (Cloud Solutions)

Placements24; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive benefits

Growth opportunities

On-site office

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Software Architect (Cloud Solutions) in Johannesburg to design scalable cloud-native architectures, mentor engineers, and collaborate with stakeholders to drive digital transformation.

You will steer cloud strategy across AWS/Azure/GCP, lead microservices and CI/CD practices, ensure secure, high-availability systems, and mentor teams in a fast-paced financial services environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of software development experience, with 5+ years in a software architecture role.
• Extensive cloud experience (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Proven expertise in microservices, RESTful APIs, Docker, and Kubernetes.
• Strong understanding of distributed systems, data management, and messaging queues.
• Experience with CI/CD tools and Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation).
• Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to architect high-availability systems.
• Experience with Agile development.

Responsibilities

• Define and document the overall software architecture for cloud-native applications and services.
• Lead design and development of scalable, resilient, and secure microservices architectures.
• Select cloud services and technologies (AWS, Azure, GCP) to meet requirements.
• Oversee CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure as code practices.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to software teams.
• Collaborate with product managers and stakeholders to define strategies.
• Ensure adherence to architectural standards and security policies.
• Conduct architectural reviews and guidance on tech choices.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks and dependencies.
• Stay current with emerging cloud technologies and trends.

Skills

Cloud architecture

Microservices

REST APIs

CI/CD

IaC

Docker

Kubernetes

Distributed systems

Data management

Messaging queues

Leadership

Communication

Agile

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Computer Science / Software Engineering

Tools

Jenkins

GitLab CI

Terraform

CloudFormation

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading financial services institution headquartered in the vibrant city of Johannesburg, Gauteng, is seeking an experienced and visionary Lead Software Architect (Cloud Solutions). This pivotal role is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing scalable, robust, and secure cloud-based software architectures that drive our digital transformation initiatives. You will lead a team of talented engineers, mentor junior developers, and collaborate closely with business stakeholders to translate complex requirements into elegant technical solutions. This is an on-site position, offering unparalleled opportunities for hands-on engagement with cutting-edge technologies and direct influence on the company's technological roadmap. We are looking for a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of cloud platforms, microservices, and distributed systems, passionate about building high-performance, enterprise-grade applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and document the overall software architecture for cloud-native applications and services.
• Lead the design and development of scalable, resilient, and secure microservices architectures.
• Select appropriate cloud services and technologies (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) to meet business and technical requirements.
• Oversee the implementation of CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure as code (IaC) practices.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to software development teams.
• Collaborate with product managers, business analysts, and other stakeholders to understand requirements and define technical strategies.
• Ensure adherence to architectural standards, best practices, and security policies.
• Conduct architectural reviews and provide guidance on technology choices and implementation approaches.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks and dependencies.
• Stay current with emerging cloud technologies and industry trends.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in software development, with at least 5 years in a software architecture role.
• Extensive experience designing and implementing solutions on major cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Proven expertise in microservices architecture, RESTful APIs, and containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Strong understanding of distributed systems, data management, and messaging queues.
• Experience with CI/CD tools (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI) and Infrastructure as Code (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to architect complex, high-availability systems.
• Experience with Agile development methodologies.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and executive benefits package.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
• Exposure to large-scale, mission-critical cloud projects.
• Prime office location in Johannesburg with excellent amenities.
• Engage with a team of highly skilled and motivated technology professionals.