Lead Software Engineering Manager

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Remote work stipend

Health insurance

Flexible hours

Professional development

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Software Engineering Manager to guide multiple software teams in a remote-first FinTech environment. Based near Cape Town or fully remote, you will shape technical strategy and ensure delivery of robust platforms.

We value extensive leadership experience, deep cloud know-how (AWS/Azure/GCP), and a strong track record in Agile practices, CI/CD, and modern architectures. Join a diverse, fast-paced tech group driving innovation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of software development experience, with at least 5 years in a management or team lead role.
• Proven experience building and leading high-performing engineering teams in a remote or distributed setting.
• Strong background in modern software architectures, cloud computing, and multiple programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, Go).
• Deep understanding of Agile practices and CI/CD pipelines.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with ability to inspire engineers.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage multiple software engineering teams, fostering technical excellence and continuous learning.
• Define and drive technical strategy and roadmap with product management.
• Oversee the full software development lifecycle from design to deployment and maintenance.
• Ensure delivery of scalable, high-quality software meeting business requirements.
• Champion best practices in engineering, including CI/CD and automated testing.
• Recruit, onboard, and retain top engineering talent, building a diverse team.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align technical requirements with product goals.
• Manage technical debt, performance bottlenecks, and system stability issues.
• Promote a culture of innovation and adoption of new technologies.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Mentoring

Agile methodologies

CI/CD

Cloud computing

Python

Java

Go

Remote leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

Master's degree

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a fast-growing FinTech innovator, is looking for a highly skilled and experienced Lead Software Engineering Manager to join their fully remote team. Based in Cape Town, Western Cape , this role is crucial for guiding and mentoring our engineering teams as we scale our groundbreaking platform. You will be responsible for fostering a collaborative, innovative, and high-performance engineering culture, driving the technical vision, and ensuring the delivery of robust, scalable, and secure software solutions. This is a unique opportunity for a passionate leader to shape the future of financial technology from a remote-first environment, working with a talented and diverse global team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage multiple software engineering teams, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning.
• Define and drive the technical strategy and roadmap in collaboration with product management and other stakeholders.
• Oversee the entire software development lifecycle, from design and development to testing, deployment, and maintenance.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality, scalable, and performant software solutions that meet business requirements.
• Champion best practices in software engineering, including Agile methodologies, code reviews, CI/CD, and automated testing.
• Recruit, onboard, and retain top engineering talent, building a strong and diverse team.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define technical requirements and ensure alignment with product goals.
• Manage technical debt, performance bottlenecks, and system stability issues.
• Promote a culture of innovation, encouraging experimentation and the adoption of new technologies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in software development, with at least 5 years in a management or team lead role.
• Proven experience building and leading high-performing engineering teams in a remote or distributed setting.
• Strong technical background in modern software architectures, cloud computing (AWS, Azure, or GCP), and various programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, Go).
• Deep understanding of Agile development methodologies and CI/CD pipelines.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate engineers.
• Experience in the FinTech industry is a significant plus.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Passionate about fostering a positive and inclusive engineering culture.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, stock options, and a generous remote work stipend. Employees benefit from comprehensive health insurance, flexible working hours, and significant opportunities for professional development, including conference attendance and certifications. We believe in work-life balance and provide ample paid time off. Join a groundbreaking company that values innovation, collaboration, and employee well-being.