Principal Software Engineer

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Remote work

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Learning & development

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal Software Engineer to shape the technical direction of its enterprise software suite. This remote-first role focuses on designing high-performance, scalable systems and mentoring engineers in a global, asynchronous environment.

You will lead architecture decisions, drive best practices, and tackle complex challenges across distributed services while collaborating with product teams to deliver impactful solutions for businesses worldwide.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of software development experience with a focus on system design and architecture.
• Strong expertise in at least one major programming language (Java, C++, Python, Go).
• Experience designing and building large-scale distributed systems.
• Proven ability to lead technical initiatives and mentors teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and architecture of complex, scalable software systems.
• Develop robust, maintainable code for core product features.
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers and promote best practices.
• Drive architectural reviews and technical decision-making.
• Address performance, security, and scalability challenges.
• Collaborate with product teams to refine technical requirements.

Skills

Java

C++

Python

Go

Distributed systems

Leadership

Education

Master’s or PhD in CS or related field

Tools

Kubernetes

AWS/Azure/GCP

Docker

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in developing groundbreaking enterprise software solutions, is seeking an exceptional Principal Software Engineer to join their elite, fully remote engineering team. This role represents a unique opportunity to shape the technical direction and architectural integrity of our core product suite. You will tackle the most complex engineering challenges, mentor mid-level and junior engineers, and drive best practices across the organization. As a remote-first company, we champion asynchronous communication, efficient collaboration tools, and a culture that values autonomy and results. If you are a passionate technologist with a drive for innovation and a desire to work on impactful projects without geographical limitations, this role is for you. You will be instrumental in designing, developing, and delivering high-performance, scalable, and reliable software systems that power businesses worldwide. This is a senior position for a proven leader in software engineering.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and architecture of complex, scalable, and high-performance software systems.
• Develop robust, maintainable, and efficient code for critical product features.
• Mentor and guide other software engineers, fostering technical growth and knowledge sharing.
• Drive technical decision-making and architectural reviews, ensuring adherence to best practices.
• Identify and address performance bottlenecks, security vulnerabilities, and scalability challenges.
• Collaborate with product management and cross-functional teams to define and refine technical requirements.
• Champion coding standards, testing strategies, and deployment processes.
• Research and evaluate new technologies and frameworks to improve our product offerings.
• Contribute to technical strategy and roadmap planning.
• Participate actively in code reviews and provide constructive feedback.

Requirements

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent extensive experience.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in software development, with a strong focus on system design and architecture.
• Deep expertise in at least one major programming language (e.g., Java, C++, Python, Go) and its ecosystem.
• Proven experience designing and building large-scale distributed systems.
• Strong understanding of data structures, algorithms, and software design patterns.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization technologies (Kubernetes).
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical initiatives and mentor engineering teams.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and debugging skills.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, adept at working in a remote setting.
• Experience with microservices architecture and API design.

Benefits

• Our client offers an industry-leading compensation package, including a substantial base salary, significant stock options, and performance-based bonuses.
• As a fully remote position, you have the freedom to work from anywhere within South Africa.
• We provide comprehensive health insurance, retirement savings plans, and generous paid time off.
• Continuous professional development is highly encouraged through access to online courses, conferences, and dedicated learning time.
• Our client cultivates a supportive and inclusive remote culture, with regular virtual team events and opportunities for interaction.
• This is a career-defining opportunity for a top-tier engineer looking to make a profound impact on a global scale from Klerksdorp, North West.