Lead Software Developer

Placements24; Mossel Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Fully remote environment

Health insurance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Software Developer for a remote-first role with the Mossel Bay hub in Western Cape, South Africa. You will guide a team of developers, shape the technical vision, and deliver scalable software across products.

The ideal candidate brings 7+ years of leadership‑level software experience and strong cloud, CI/CD, and design-pattern expertise. You will mentor engineers, drive architecture decisions, and collaborate with product teams to align roadmaps.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of software development experience with a leadership track record.
• Proficiency in one or more programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, C#, JavaScript) and related frameworks.
• Strong experience with SQL and NoSQL databases.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and microservices architecture.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps principles.
• Excellent understanding of software design patterns, data structures, and algorithms.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to mentor and inspire a development team.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and effectively in a remote setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of software developers, providing technical guidance and support.
• Architect, design, and develop scalable, maintainable, and high-performance software solutions.
• Oversee the entire software development lifecycle, from requirement gathering to deployment and maintenance.
• Collaborate with product managers, designers, and other stakeholders to define project roadmaps and deliverables.
• Implement best practices in coding standards, code reviews, and testing methodologies.
• Drive technical innovation and evaluate new technologies for adoption.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues.
• Ensure the security, performance, and reliability of software applications.
• Foster a positive and productive team culture, promoting continuous learning and knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to strategic planning and technical roadmap development.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Software architecture

Cross-functional collaboration

Remote work

Education

Bachelors or Masters in CS/SE

Tools

CI/CD pipelines

DevOps

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)

Job description

About the Role Our client, a rapidly growing SaaS company, is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Lead Software Developer to join their pioneering team. This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere in South Africa, though the primary operational hub is in Mossel Bay, Western Cape . You will play a critical role in leading a team of talented developers, architecting innovative software solutions, and driving the technical vision for key products. The ideal candidate possesses a strong blend of technical expertise, leadership skills, and a passion for building high-quality, scalable software. You will be responsible for guiding the development lifecycle, ensuring adherence to best practices, and fostering a collaborative and productive team environment. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of our client's technology landscape and mentor aspiring engineers in a supportive, remote-first culture. Your leadership will be crucial in delivering robust, user-centric applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of software developers, providing technical guidance and support.
• Architect, design, and develop scalable, maintainable, and high-performance software solutions.
• Oversee the entire software development lifecycle, from requirement gathering to deployment and maintenance.
• Collaborate with product managers, designers, and other stakeholders to define project roadmaps and deliverables.
• Implement best practices in coding standards, code reviews, and testing methodologies.
• Drive technical innovation and evaluate new technologies for adoption.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues.
• Ensure the security, performance, and reliability of software applications.
• Foster a positive and productive team culture, promoting continuous learning and knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to strategic planning and technical roadmap development.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Significant experience (7+ years) in software development, with a proven track record in a leadership role.
• Expertise in one or more programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, C#, JavaScript) and associated frameworks.
• Strong experience with database technologies (SQL and NoSQL).
• Proficiency in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and microservices architecture.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps principles.
• Excellent understanding of software design patterns, data structures, and algorithms.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to mentor and inspire a development team.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and effectively in a remote setting.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary with equity options.
• Fully remote work environment, offering maximum flexibility.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• Professional development opportunities, including conferences and training.
• Annual performance bonuses.
• Company-provided equipment and home office stipend.
• Opportunities for career advancement and leadership growth.