Lead Software Engineer (Full Stack)

Placements24; Paarl; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonuses

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Stock options or equity participation

Relocation assistance if applicable

Professional development budget

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Software Engineer in Paarl to guide a talented team, architect scalable full-stack solutions, and drive technical direction across products.

You will mentor engineers, own end-to-end development from conception to deployment, and champion best practices in a hands-on leadership role within a growing tech startup.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS, Engineering, or related field; Master's preferred.
• 7+ years of professional software development experience, with 2+ years in a leadership role.
• Proven expertise in full-stack development (Frontend: React/Angular/Vue; Backend: Node.js, Python/Django, Java/Spring).
• Strong experience with PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB and ORMs.
• Deep understanding of microservices and cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP).
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, Docker, Kubernetes, and automated testing.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and debugging skills.
• Strong leadership, communication, and team management abilities.
• Experience in Agile/Scrum environment.
• Portfolio of successful projects and technical contributions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of software engineers.
• Architect, design, and implement scalable full-stack web applications.
• Drive technical vision and roadmap for core products.
• Write clean, well-documented code across frontend and backend.
• Oversee code reviews and coding standards.
• Collaborate with product managers, designers, and stakeholders to define requirements.
• Address performance bottlenecks, bugs, and technical debt.
• Champion adoption of new technologies and development methodologies.
• Contribute to deployment, monitoring, and maintenance in production.
• Ensure security and data integrity.

Skills

Full-stack

React

Angular

Vue.js

Node.js

Python/Django

Java/Spring

PostgreSQL

MySQL

MongoDB

Docker

Kubernetes

CI/CD

Agile/Scrum

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing tech startup in the heart of Paarl, Western Cape, is seeking an experienced and visionary Lead Software Engineer specializing in Full Stack development. This is a pivotal, in-office role where you will guide a talented team of engineers, architect scalable solutions, and drive the technical direction of our innovative products. You will be responsible for the end-to-end development lifecycle, from conception and design to implementation and deployment. We are looking for a hands‑on leader with a proven track record in building robust, high‑performance applications and a passion for mentoring junior engineers. This position offers the unique opportunity to shape the future of a dynamic company and make a significant impact on its technological trajectory. Join a collaborative environment that fosters innovation and professional growth in the picturesque setting of Paarl.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of software engineers, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and high performance.
• Architect, design, and implement scalable, reliable, and efficient full‑stack web applications.
• Drive the technical vision and roadmap for our core products, making key architectural decisions.
• Write clean, maintainable, and well‑documented code across the entire stack (frontend and backend).
• Oversee code reviews, ensure adherence to coding standards, and implement best practices for software development.
• Collaborate with product managers, designers, and other stakeholders to define product requirements and translate them into technical solutions.
• Identify and address performance bottlenecks, bugs, and technical debt.
• Champion the adoption of new technologies and development methodologies.
• Contribute to the deployment, monitoring, and maintenance of applications in production environments.
• Ensure the security and integrity of applications and data.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional software development experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership or lead role.
• Proven expertise in full‑stack development, including proficiency in frontend technologies (e.g., React, Angular, Vue.js) and backend technologies (e.g., Node.js, Python/Django, Java/Spring).
• Strong experience with database technologies (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB) and ORMs.
• Deep understanding of software architecture patterns, microservices, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and automated testing.
• Excellent problem‑solving, analytical, and debugging skills.
• Strong leadership, communication, and team management abilities.
• Experience working in an Agile/Scrum development environment.
• Portfolio of successful projects and technical contributions.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance‑based bonuses.
• Opportunity to lead and shape the technology of a growing startup in Paarl.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and holidays.
• Professional development budget for training, conferences, and certifications.
• A dynamic and collaborative work culture.
• Stock options or equity participation.
• Relocation assistance if applicable.