Lead Software Developer

DataTech Recruitment; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

DataTech Recruitment in Johannesburg seeks a Lead Software Developer to shape how a cross-functional squad writes code, building full stack web and API solutions from database to UI. You’ll be the technical anchor, reviewing PRs, guiding architecture, enforcing standards and mentoring engineers in a regulated, high-availability environment.

Core tech includes .NET/C#, Node.js or Java backend; Angular/React/Next.js/Vue/Svelte frontend; TypeScript/JavaScript; Azure and/or AWS, Docker, Kubernetes,

Qualifications

• A degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, IT or similar.
• 10+ years’ experience building full stack web applications across front end, back end, API and database layers.
• At least 3 years leading technically: code reviews, mentorship, setting technical direction.

Responsibilities

• Designing, building and shipping end-to-end features across front end, back end, API and database layers.
• Owning technical solution design for features, from data modelling to API contracts to UI patterns.
• Setting and enforcing coding standards, testing practices and definition of done across the team.
• Leading architectural decisions and keeping reference architecture scalable, secure and maintainable.
• Running code reviews and pairing sessions that raise the bar.
• Mentoring senior, intermediate and junior engineers through 1:1s, reviews and day-to-day support.
• Partnering with QA, Product and DevOps to keep delivery secure, tested and on track.
• Championing sensible, safe use of AI tooling across the team.
• Communicating risks, trade-offs and progress clearly to leadership and other stakeholders.

Skills

Technical leadership

Code reviews

Full stack development

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS or related field

Cloud or Agile certifications (bonus)

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Azure

AWS

GitHub Copilot

Job description

Lead Software Developer job vacancy in Johannesburg.

If you’ve spent years writing code and are ready to start shaping how a whole team writes it, this one’s worth a proper look.

You’ll be the technical anchor for a cross-functional development squad, building full stack web and API solutions from the database up to the UI. This isn’t a role where you trade your keyboard for a whiteboard. You’ll still be deep in the code, reviewing pull requests, unblocking your team and making the calls on architecture that the business will live with for years. Think player-coach, not manager watching from the sidelines.

You’ll be joining a business that operates in a regulated, high-availability environment, where the software genuinely has to hold up under pressure. It’s a place for someone who takes pride in doing things properly, not just quickly.

Core tech: .NET/C#, Node.js or Java on the back end. Angular, React, Next.js, Vue or Svelte on the front end. TypeScript, modern JavaScript, Azure and/or AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines. Bonus points for hands-on experience building AI-powered features (RAG, embeddings, prompt engineering) and using tools like GitHub Copilot, Claude Code or Cursor in your day to day.

Salary: Highly Negotiable.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Designing, building and shipping end-to-end features across front end, back end, API and database layers
• Owning technical solution design for your features, from data modelling to API contracts to UI patterns
• Setting and enforcing coding standards, testing practices and definition of done across the team
• Leading architectural decisions and keeping the reference architecture scalable, secure and maintainable
• Running code reviews and pairing sessions that actually raise the bar, not just tick a box
• Mentoring senior, intermediate and junior engineers through 1:1s, reviews and day-to-day support
• Partnering with QA, Product and DevOps to keep delivery secure, tested and on track
• Championing sensible, safe use of AI tooling across the team, from coding assistants to production AI features
• Communicating risks, trade-offs and progress clearly to leadership and other stakeholders

What You’ll Need:

• A degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, IT or similar. Cloud or Agile certifications are a bonus, not a barrier
• 10+ years’ experience building full stack web applications across front end, back end, API and database layers
• At least 3 years leading technically: code reviews, mentorship, setting technical direction
• Solid, recent experience with modern back-end (.NET/C#, Node.js or Java) and front-end (Angular, React, Vue or Svelte) stacks
• Strong TypeScript and modern JavaScript fundamentals, plus experience with state management and component-driven architecture
• Real cloud delivery experience on Azure and/or AWS, with containers and CI/CD as second nature
• Experience in financial technology, banking or another regulated, high-availability environment is a strong plus
• Comfort using AI-assisted development tools day to day, and ideally some experience integrating AI/LLM capabilities into production applications

Ready to Lead From the Front?

If you’re the engineer other developers go to when something’s genuinely broken, and you’d rather build something that lasts than something that just ships, let’s talk.