Platform Modernisation Tech Lead - Java/JS, Hybrid

Badger & Bird Talent; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Badger & Bird Talent in Johannesburg is seeking a Java Tech Lead to own platform modernisation. You will drive migration from JSP-based UIs to modern frontend frameworks like React, Next.js, or Vue, and upgrade the Java backend while mentoring the team.

You will be the senior technical voice, executing the roadmap with your team and collaborating with product and design to deliver incremental improvements in a live production environment.

Qualifications

• To be successful in this role, you are a pragmatic problem solver who prefers incremental delivery over big-bang rewrites.
• Strong experience in software development with a focus on e-commerce, marketplaces, or fintech is highly valued.
• You will lead migration from legacy frontend to modern stacks in a live production environment.
• You are comfortable working with AWS infrastructure and modern frontend frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Drive Platform Modernisation: chart the path from JSP to modern frontend frameworks like React/Next.js/Vue while keeping platform stability.
• Assess Backend Opportunities: upgrade the Java backend and refine API design to reduce monolith coupling.
• Lead and Mentor: review PRs, share knowledge, and mentor the team to keep skills sharp.
• Collaborative Problem Solving: work with product and design to translate business requirements into scalable architecture.

Skills

Leadership/Mentorship

Problem solving

Incremental delivery

Communication with product/design

Education

Bachelor's Degree / National Diploma in Computer Science or IT

Tools

AWS (EC2, RDS/Aurora, Lambda, S3, CloudWatch)

Java 17+/21

React/Next.js/Vue

Go / React Native + Expo (bonus)

Job description

Badger & Bird Talent in Johannesburg is seeking a Java Tech Lead to own platform modernisation. You will drive migration from JSP-based UIs to modern frontend frameworks like React, Next.js, or Vue, and upgrade the Java backend while mentoring the team.

You will be the senior technical voice, executing the roadmap with your team and collaborating with product and design to deliver incremental improvements in a live production environment.