Principal Software Engineer

HelloKindred; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 2,000,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Job summary

HelloKindred in Gauteng, South Africa seeks a Principal Software Engineer with 20+ years of hands-on software experience to architect and deliver enterprise-grade systems. This role emphasizes AI-enabled engineering, multi-cloud platforms, and cross-functional leadership in a hybrid work setup.

You will mentor engineers, explore cutting-edge technologies, and translate strategic goals into robust software while ensuring delivery and operational stability across cloud and mobile domains.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field; 20+ years of professional software engineering experience preferred.
• Hands-on coding with enterprise-scale software and architecture leadership mandated.
• Experience with cloud-native, AI-enabled software development and modern engineering practices.

Responsibilities

• Design and build enterprise-grade software from concept through production.
• Define architecture across cloud, backend, web, AI, and mobile platforms.
• Develop production-quality software using AI-assisted engineering workflows.
• Build intelligent applications powered by LLMs, AI agents, and modern AI platforms.
• Mentor senior engineers and influence engineering standards through hands-on leadership.
• Collaborate with Product Owners, architecture, security, QA, and platform teams.

Skills

Hands-on coding

AI-native engineering

Cloud architecture

Mentoring engineers

Architecture design

DevSecOps

Stakeholder engagement

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS

Tools

Azure

AWS

GCP

Flutter

Swift

Kotlin

OpenAI Codex

Copilot

Job description

Who is HelloKindred?

HelloKindred are specialists in staffing marketing, creative and technology roles, offering a range of talent solutions that can be delivered on-site, remotely or hybrid.

Our vision is to make work accessible and people’s lives better.We do this by disrupting traditional employment barriers - connecting ambitious talent to flexible opportunities with trusted brands.

Anticipated Contract End Date/Length: 3 months contract
Work set up: Hybrid (4 days per week in office)

Our client in the global professional services industry is looking for a Principal Software Engineer with 20+ years of professional software engineering experience who remains deeply hands‑on and continues writing production code. This role calls for an exceptional technical leader who embraces AI as an engineering partner, architects complex systems, builds enterprise‑grade software, mentors senior engineers, and continuously explores modern software development practices.

This is a hands‑on technical leadership role rather than a management position, requiring strong expertise across AI‑native engineering, cloud, backend, web, mobile innovation, modern architecture, and complex business problem‑solving.

What you will do:

• Design and build enterprise‑grade software solutions from concept through production.
• Define architecture across cloud, backend, web, AI, and mobile platforms.
• Develop production‑quality software using AI‑assisted engineering workflows.
• Build intelligent applications powered by Large Language Models, AI agents, and modern AI platforms.
• Design and develop native iOS and Android applications and cross‑platform solutions using Flutter or similar frameworks.
• Partner with clients and engineering teams to solve complex technical challenges.
• Mentor senior engineers and influence engineering standards through hands‑on technical leadership.
• Evaluate and introduce emerging technologies that improve engineering capability and business outcomes.
• Continue coding, prototyping, and experimenting with new technologies as part of daily work.
• Translate technical strategy into working software while balancing technical quality, delivery pace, and operational stability.
• Collaborate with Product Owners, business stakeholders, Architecture, Security, Platform, UX, Experience Design, and QA teams.
• Support DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines, and production release governance.
• Operate effectively within multi‐vendor and partner environments with accountability for engineering outcomes.

AI‑Native Engineering

• Apply modern AI development practices using platforms and tools such as Cursor, Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, OpenAI Codex, Windsurf, Gemini Code Assist, Lovable, Bolt.new, Firebase Studio, or similar emerging platforms.
• Build applications using OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, or similar LLM platforms.
• Develop AI agents and agentic workflows using RAG, MCP, function calling, and tool integration.
• Apply prompt engineering, vector databases, AI application evaluation, and AI governance practices.
• Explore emerging AI engineering approaches and incorporate appropriate technologies into production software solutions.

• Hold a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field; preferred.
• Offer 20+ years of professional software engineering experience.
• Demonstrate proven experience designing and delivering complex software systems at enterprise scale.
• Apply strong architecture capabilities to translate strategy into working software.
• Maintain expert‑level coding skills and a passion for remaining hands‑on.
• Leverage extensive experience building cloud‑native applications using Azure, AWS, and/or Google Cloud.
• Exhibit deep knowledge of modern software architecture, APIs, distributed systems, DevSecOps, CI/CD, and secure software engineering.
• Develop native mobile applications using Swift and/or Kotlin.
• Utilise cross‑platform mobile development experience with Flutter or comparable technologies.
• Apply strong consulting and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Operate effectively within Agile, SAFe, or hybrid delivery models with strong governance and reporting expectations.
• Demonstrate strong exposure to DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines, and production release governance.
• Collaborate effectively across product, business, architecture, security, platform, UX, experience design, and QA functions.
• Navigate multi‑vendor and partner environments with accountability for engineering outcomes.
• Apply practical experience with LLM platforms, AI agents, RAG, MCP, function calling, prompt engineering, vector databases, and AI application evaluation.
• Exhibit strong ownership, accountability, curiosity, and a passion for solving complex technical problems.
• Mentor engineers through collaboration and technical leadership rather than authority.

Desirable Experience

• Explore multi‑agent AI systems, Edge AI, and on‑device AI.
• Utilise React Native or .NET MAUI.
• Apply Developer Experience (DevEx) practices.
• Contribute to open‑source projects, conference speaking, or technical writing.
• Develop engineering platforms and accelerators.

Candidates must be legally authorized to live and work in the country where the position is based, without requiring employer sponsorship.

HelloKindred is committed to fair, transparent, and inclusive hiring practices. We assess candidates based on skills, experience, and role‑related requirements.

We appreciate your interest in this opportunity. While we review every application carefully, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

HelloKindred is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.