Principal Software Engineer (Microservices)

Placements24; Paarl; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Performance bonuses

Generous leave

Job summary

Placements24 in Paarl, Western Cape, seeks a Principal Software Engineer to lead microservices architecture, cloud-native solutions, and technical direction. You will mentor engineers and drive delivery of scalable, high-performance backend services.

Ideal candidates have 10+ years in backend development, strong leadership, and expertise across Java/Go/Python/C#, cloud platforms, Kubernetes, and distributed systems. Hybrid work setup in Paarl is offered.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of backend software engineering experience.
• Proven expertise in designing, building, and deploying microservices architectures.
• Strong proficiency in Java, Go, Python, or C#.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP) and container orchestration (Kubernetes).
• Knowledge of distributed systems, messaging queues (Kafka/RabbitMQ), and databases (SQL/NoSQL).
• Experience with API design principles (REST, gRPC).
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in CS/Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and architecture of microservices-based systems.
• Develop high-quality, scalable backend services for core platforms.
• Mentor and guide junior and mid-level software engineers.
• Define and enforce coding standards, best practices, and architectural principles.
• Collaborate with product management, QA, and other engineering teams to deliver features.
• Drive technical innovation and evaluate new technologies for adoption.
• Optimize application performance, scalability, and reliability.
• Participate in code reviews and architectural discussions.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex production issues.
• Ensure robust security measures across services.

Skills

Microservices

Backend architecture

Cloud platforms

Kubernetes

Kafka

REST

gRPC

Leadership

Mentoring

Code reviews

Education

Master's or Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering

Tools

Kubernetes

Kafka

RabbitMQ

SQL/NoSQL

Job description

About the Role Our client, a leader in innovative financial technology solutions based in Paarl, Western Cape , is seeking a highly experienced Principal Software Engineer to lead the design and development of their microservices architecture. This senior role demands a deep understanding of distributed systems, cloud-native technologies, and best practices in building scalable, resilient, and high-performance applications. You will be responsible for setting technical direction, mentoring engineers, and ensuring the successful delivery of complex software projects. The ideal candidate is a seasoned problem-solver, a strategic thinker, and a strong communicator who can drive technical excellence across the engineering team. Join us in Paarl and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our technology platform.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and architecture of microservices-based systems.
• Develop high-quality, scalable, and maintainable code for critical backend services.
• Mentor and guide junior and mid-level software engineers.
• Define and enforce coding standards, best practices, and architectural principles.
• Collaborate with product management, QA, and other engineering teams to deliver features.
• Drive technical innovation and evaluate new technologies for adoption.
• Optimize application performance, scalability, and reliability.
• Participate in code reviews, architectural reviews, and technical discussions.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues in production environments.
• Ensure robust security measures are implemented across the services.

Requirements

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in software engineering, with a strong focus on backend development.
• Proven expertise in designing, building, and deploying microservices architectures.
• Proficiency in one or more backend languages (e.g., Java, Go, Python, C#).
• Extensive experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and container orchestration (Kubernetes).
• Deep understanding of distributed systems concepts, messaging queues (e.g., Kafka, RabbitMQ), and database technologies (SQL/NoSQL).
• Experience with API design principles (REST, gRPC).
• Strong understanding of Agile methodologies and DevOps practices.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with performance tuning and monitoring of distributed systems.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and retirement fund, performance bonuses, and ample opportunities for professional growth and development. This role offers a hybrid work model and is based in our Paarl, Western Cape office. We provide a stimulating work environment, access to cutting-edge technology, and a culture that encourages innovation and collaboration. Enjoy generous leave policies and opportunities for career advancement.