Lead Software Developer - Mobile Applications

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary bonus

Health insurance

Stock options

Leadership growth

Hybrid work model

PTO

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, is seeking a Lead Software Developer to head our mobile app team. This role combines hands‑on coding with leadership to drive iOS and Android development, architecture, and delivery.

You will mentor a team of developers, set best practices, and collaborate with product, design, and QA to ship high‑quality apps in a fast-paced startup environment. A strong track record in mobile platforms and cross‑platform frameworks is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in mobile application development.
• Proven experience leading development teams and managing project timelines.
• Extensive experience developing native iOS (Swift/Objective-C) and/or Android (Kotlin/Java) applications.
• Experience with cross‑platform frameworks (React Native, Flutter) is a plus.
• Strong understanding of mobile UI/UX design principles and best practices.
• Proficiency with version control systems, such as Git.
• Experience with Agile development methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of mobile application developers, fostering a culture of innovation and technical excellence.
• Oversee the entire mobile application development lifecycle, from conception to deployment and maintenance.
• Design and implement robust, scalable, and user-friendly mobile applications for iOS and Android platforms.
• Write clean, efficient, and well‑documented code, adhering to coding standards and best practices.
• Collaborate with product managers, UI/UX designers, and other stakeholders to define app features and requirements.
• Conduct code reviews to ensure code quality, performance, and security.
• Identify and address performance bottlenecks and bugs.
• Research and recommend new technologies and tools to enhance the development process.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest mobile development trends and platform updates.

Skills

Leadership

Mobile development

Team management

Communication

Problem solving

Agile methodologies

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering

Tools

Swift

Objective-C

Kotlin

Java

React Native

Flutter

Git

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly expanding tech startup specializing in innovative mobile solutions, is looking for an experienced Lead Software Developer to head their mobile application development team in Stellenbosch, Western Cape . This leadership role is instrumental in guiding the design, development, and deployment of high-quality mobile applications for both iOS and Android platforms. You will mentor a team of talented developers, champion best practices, and contribute hands‑on to complex coding challenges. The ideal candidate combines strong technical acumen with excellent leadership and communication skills, driving the success of cutting‑edge mobile products in a fast‑paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of mobile application developers, fostering a culture of innovation and technical excellence.
• Oversee the entire mobile application development lifecycle, from conception to deployment and maintenance.
• Design and implement robust, scalable, and user-friendly mobile applications for iOS and Android platforms.
• Write clean, efficient, and well‑documented code, adhering to coding standards and best practices.
• Collaborate with product managers, UI/UX designers, and other stakeholders to define app features and requirements.
• Conduct code reviews to ensure code quality, performance, and security.
• Identify and address performance bottlenecks and bugs.
• Research and recommend new technologies and tools to enhance the development process.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest mobile development trends and platform updates.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in mobile application development.
• Proven experience leading development teams and managing project timelines.
• Extensive experience developing native iOS (Swift/Objective-C) and/or Android (Kotlin/Java) applications.
• Experience with cross‑platform frameworks (e.g., React Native, Flutter) is a plus.
• Strong understanding of mobile UI/UX design principles and best practices.
• Proficiency with version control systems, such as Git.
• Experience with Agile development methodologies.
• Excellent problem‑solving, analytical, and communication skills.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary with performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health insurance package.
• Stock options in a rapidly growing startup.
• Opportunities for leadership growth and professional development.
• A dynamic and innovative work culture in the heart of Stellenbosch, Western Cape .
• Hybrid work model providing flexibility.
• Generous paid time off.