Principal Software Architect

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Training and conference attendance

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Software Architect in Polokwane, Limpopo to lead the design and evolution of core technology platforms. This senior role demands expertise in scalability, distributed systems, and architectural strategy to shape technical direction across multiple teams.

You will define standards, drive technology choices, and mentor engineers while collaborating with product management and stakeholders to deliver robust, high-performance software solutions.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in software development with a focus on architecture.
• Proven track record designing and implementing large-scale distributed systems.
• Deep understanding of microservices, event-driven architecture, design principles, and data structures.
• Proficiency in Java, Python, C++, Go, and Node.js.
• Strong experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Experience in AI/ML development environments is highly desirable.
• Ability to influence and guide technical decisions across multiple teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the overall software architecture for products and platforms.
• Develop and maintain architectural standards, guidelines, and best practices.
• Evaluate and select technologies to meet project and business needs.
• Lead design of distributed systems, microservices, and data pipelines.
• Collaborate with product management, engineering leads, and stakeholders to translate requirements into technical solutions.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams.
• Conduct architectural reviews and ensure adherence to standards.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks and ensure long-term maintainability.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and drive adoption of modern practices.
• Champion innovation across the engineering organization.

Skills

Architectural design

Distributed systems

Leadership & mentoring

Communication with stakeholders

Problem solving

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in CS/Software Engineering

Tools

Java

Python

C++

Go

Node.js

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in AI-driven solutions, located in Polokwane, Limpopo, is seeking a distinguished Principal Software Architect to lead the design and evolution of their core technology platforms. This senior role requires a visionary leader with a deep understanding of software architecture, scalability, and distributed systems. You will be responsible for defining technical strategies, setting architectural standards, and guiding engineering teams in building robust, high-performance, and maintainable software solutions. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of AI technology and influence technical direction within a forward-thinking organization in Polokwane.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and drive the overall software architecture for new and existing products, ensuring scalability, reliability, and performance.
• Develop and maintain architectural standards, guidelines, and best practices for the engineering teams.
• Evaluate and select appropriate technologies, frameworks, and tools to meet project and business needs.
• Lead the design of complex distributed systems, microservices, and data pipelines.
• Collaborate closely with product management, engineering leads, and stakeholders to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to software engineering teams.
• Conduct architectural reviews and ensure adherence to established standards.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks, and ensure the long-term maintainability of the codebase.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends, assessing their potential impact and application.
• Champion innovation and drive the adoption of modern software engineering practices.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in software development, with a significant portion focused on software architecture.
• Proven track record of designing and implementing complex, large-scale distributed systems.
• Deep understanding of architectural patterns (e.g., microservices, event-driven architecture), design principles, and data structures.
• Expertise in multiple programming languages and technologies (e.g., Java, Python, C++, Go, Node.js).
• Strong experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Experience in AI/ML development environments is highly desirable.
• Ability to influence and guide technical decisions across multiple teams.

Benefits

• Our client offers an industry-leading compensation package, including a substantial base salary, significant annual bonuses, stock options, and comprehensive health and retirement benefits.
• This hybrid role offers a balanced approach to work, allowing for collaboration in Polokwane, Limpopo, while providing remote flexibility.
• We invest in our employees' growth through extensive training programs, conference attendance, and clear career progression paths.