Principal Software Architect

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Stock options

Hybrid work model

Relocation assistance

Career growth opportunities

Training and conferences

Executive health plan

PTO and flexible work

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Software Architect in Mahikeng, North West. This senior role defines the technical vision and architecture across products, guiding development teams and setting standards for performance and scalability.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in software development, with 5+ years in architect roles, strong cloud and microservices experience, and exceptional leadership and communication skills. Hybrid work arrangement offered with relocation support.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field, or equivalent extensive experience.
• 10+ years in software development with at least 5 years in architect/principal engineer roles.
• Proven experience designing and implementing complex, scalable, distributed systems.
• Deep cloud knowledge (AWS, Azure, GCP) and microservices architecture.
• Experience with CI/CD, DevOps practices, and Agile methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Define and evolve the overall software architecture of the company's products.
• Lead design and implementation of scalable, high-performance software systems.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to development teams.
• Evaluate and select technologies, frameworks, and tools for development.
• Establish and enforce coding standards, design principles, and best practices.
• Collaborate with product management to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks and dependencies.
• Conduct architectural reviews and ensure adherence to architecture.
• Research emerging technologies and propose innovative solutions.
• Contribute to strategic technical planning and roadmap development.

Skills

Leadership

Cloud platforms

Microservices architecture

DDD / Event-driven

CI/CD / DevOps

Programming languages

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering

Job description

About the Role Our client, a rapidly growing enterprise software company based in Mahikeng, North West , is seeking an experienced and visionary Principal Software Architect. This senior leadership role will define and drive the technical vision and architecture for the company's suite of products, ensuring scalability, maintainability, and performance. You will be responsible for high-level design decisions, guiding development teams, evaluating new technologies, and setting technical standards across the organization. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of complex software systems, a proven track record of architecting large-scale applications, and exceptional leadership qualities. This is a unique opportunity to have a significant impact on the technological direction of a prominent company in the North West province.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and evolve the overall software architecture of the company's products.
• Lead the design and implementation of scalable, robust, and high-performance software systems.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to development teams.
• Evaluate and select appropriate technologies, frameworks, and tools for development.
• Establish and enforce coding standards, design principles, and best practices.
• Collaborate with product management and engineering leads to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks and dependencies.
• Conduct architectural reviews and ensure adherence to the defined architecture.
• Research emerging technologies and propose innovative solutions to enhance product capabilities.
• Contribute to strategic technical planning and roadmap development.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent extensive experience.
• 10+ years of experience in software development, with at least 5 years in a software architect or principal engineer role.
• Proven experience designing and implementing complex, scalable, and distributed software systems.
• Expertise in multiple programming languages and paradigms (e.g., object-oriented, functional).
• Deep understanding of cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and microservices architecture.
• Strong knowledge of database technologies, data modeling, and caching strategies.
• Experience with CI/CD, DevOps practices, and agile methodologies.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in domain-driven design (DDD) and event-driven architectures is a significant plus.
• Proven ability to lead and influence technical teams.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and significant performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive executive health, dental, and vision benefits.
• Generous stock options and long-term incentives.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement and leadership.
• Opportunities to attend leading tech conferences and training programs.
• Hybrid work model for excellent work-life balance.
• Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates.
• A dynamic and intellectually stimulating work environment in Mahikeng .
• Company-funded innovation projects.
• Extended paid time off.