Principal Software Engineer

Placements24; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive salary package

Stock options/equity

Flexible work arrangements

Professional development budget

Health insurance

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Job summary

Placements24 in Randburg, Gauteng seeks a Principal Software Engineer to lead architecture and drive technical strategy for enterprise software. You will design scalable systems, mentor engineers, and influence product direction across teams in a fast-paced environment.

The role requires deep technical expertise, strong leadership, and a proven track record with distributed systems, microservices, cloud platforms, and CI/CD.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field, or equivalent extensive experience.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in software engineering, with a proven track record of leading major technical projects.
• Expert-level proficiency in one or more programming languages (e.g., Java, C++, C#, Python, Go).
• Deep understanding of software architecture patterns, data structures, algorithms, and design principles.
• Extensive experience designing and implementing distributed systems and microservices.
• Proven experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Strong knowledge of database technologies (SQL and NoSQL) and performance tuning.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to mentor and influence technical teams effectively.
• Experience with agile development methodologies and CI/CD practices.
• A passion for technical excellence and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and architecture of complex, scalable, and high-performance software systems.
• Develop and implement robust, efficient, and maintainable code for critical product features.
• Mentor and guide junior and senior engineers, fostering technical growth and best practices.
• Drive technical decision-making, evaluating trade-offs and recommending optimal solutions.
• Identify and address technical debt and system performance bottlenecks.
• Collaborate with product management, design, and other engineering teams to define and deliver product roadmaps.
• Champion coding standards, code reviews, and quality assurance processes.
• Research and evaluate new technologies, tools, and methodologies to enhance development capabilities.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical challenges in production environments.
• Contribute to the overall technical strategy and vision of the engineering organization.
• Ensure the security, scalability, and reliability of all developed systems.

Skills

Leadership

Distributed systems

Microservices

Cloud platforms

Programming languages

CI/CD

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/SE or equivalent

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

Azure

GCP

SQL/NoSQL databases

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in enterprise software solutions, is seeking an experienced and visionary Principal Software Engineer to join their prestigious team in Randburg, Gauteng . This senior role requires deep technical expertise, exceptional problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to lead complex technical initiatives. You will be responsible for architecting cutting-edge software systems, mentoring engineering teams, and driving innovation across the product lifecycle. The ideal candidate demonstrates a mastery of software engineering principles, a passion for tackling challenging technical problems, and the ability to influence technical direction. This is a critical opportunity to shape the future of our client's technology landscape in Randburg and contribute to significant business outcomes. Join a highly skilled team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of technology.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and architecture of complex, scalable, and high-performance software systems.
• Develop and implement robust, efficient, and maintainable code for critical product features.
• Mentor and guide junior and senior engineers, fostering technical growth and best practices.
• Drive technical decision-making, evaluating trade-offs and recommending optimal solutions.
• Identify and address technical debt and system performance bottlenecks.
• Collaborate with product management, design, and other engineering teams to define and deliver product roadmaps.
• Champion coding standards, code reviews, and quality assurance processes.
• Research and evaluate new technologies, tools, and methodologies to enhance development capabilities.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical challenges in production environments.
• Contribute to the overall technical strategy and vision of the engineering organization.
• Ensure the security, scalability, and reliability of all developed systems.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent extensive experience.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in software engineering, with a proven track record of leading major technical projects.
• Expert-level proficiency in one or more programming languages (e.g., Java, C++, C#, Python, Go).
• Deep understanding of software architecture patterns, data structures, algorithms, and design principles.
• Extensive experience designing and implementing distributed systems and microservices.
• Proven experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Strong knowledge of database technologies (SQL and NoSQL) and performance tuning.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to mentor and influence technical teams effectively.
• Experience with agile development methodologies and CI/CD practices.
• A passion for technical excellence and innovation.

Benefits

• Our client offers an industry-leading salary and a comprehensive executive benefits package.
• Opportunities for significant career advancement and leadership roles.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and personal days.
• Retirement savings plan with substantial employer matching.
• Professional development budget for conferences, training, and certifications.
• Exposure to complex, high-impact projects.
• A highly collaborative and intellectually stimulating work environment.
• Stock options or equity participation.
• Potential for flexible work arrangements based on role requirements.
• Regular performance reviews and feedback geared towards long-term career growth.