Remote Head of Engineering

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 2,000,000 - 3,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health insurance

Remote-first

Professional development budget

Flexible hours

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Head of Engineering to lead global engineering teams from anywhere. You will set the technical vision, oversee architecture and product development, and foster a high-performance culture focused on scalable software solutions.

The role requires a strong track record in distributed leadership, cloud-native architectures, and delivering complex products with excellence. Fully remote with a competitive package and equity potential.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in software engineering with leadership experience.
• 7+ years in senior leadership managing large distributed teams.
• Proven track record delivering complex software products.
• Deep understanding of architecture, patterns, Agile and DevOps.
• Experience with cloud platforms and modern development practices.

Responsibilities

• Define the technical strategy and vision for the company.
• Lead and mentor global engineering teams across regions.
• Oversee design, development, testing, and deployment of products.
• Ensure scalability, reliability, and security of tech stack.
• Collaborate with product, design and other departments to align goals.
• Establish engineering best practices and processes.
• Drive innovation and evaluate new technologies.
• Manage engineering budget and resources.
• Talent development and retention of top engineers.

Skills

Technical leadership

Distributed teams

Software architecture

Cloud platforms

CI/CD pipelines

Agile/DevOps

Strategic thinking

Talent acquisition

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/Engineering

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

Microservices

CI/CD pipelines

Job description

About the Role

Our client, an innovative and fast-growing software development company, is seeking a visionary and technically astute Remote Head of Engineering to lead their global engineering teams. This fully remote position offers the unique opportunity to drive technological innovation and scale our client's product development efforts from anywhere in the world. The ideal candidate will possess a strong blend of technical expertise, strategic leadership, and experience managing distributed engineering teams. You will be responsible for setting the technical vision, overseeing the architecture and development of our client's flagship products, and fostering a culture of engineering excellence. We are looking for a passionate leader who can inspire engineers, attract top talent, and deliver high-quality, scalable software solutions. This is a critical leadership role within a dynamic organization, offering significant impact and the chance to shape the future of technology. Join a forward-thinking company that values innovation, collaboration, and a remote-first work environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and drive the overall technical strategy and vision for the company.
• Lead, mentor, and manage multiple global engineering teams, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Oversee the design, development, testing, and deployment of software products.
• Ensure the scalability, reliability, and security of the company's technology stack.
• Collaborate closely with product management, design, and other departments to align engineering efforts with business goals.
• Establish and enforce engineering best practices, coding standards, and development processes.
• Drive innovation by exploring new technologies and methodologies.
• Manage the engineering budget and resource allocation effectively.
• Attract, retain, and develop top engineering talent.
• Champion a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the engineering organization.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in software engineering, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership role managing large, distributed engineering teams.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering complex, large-scale software products.
• Deep understanding of software architecture, design patterns, and modern development methodologies (Agile, DevOps).
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and microservices architectures.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with experience managing remote teams.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience in talent acquisition and retention within the tech industry.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks.
• Passion for innovation and a commitment to engineering excellence.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive compensation package, including significant equity.
• Comprehensive global health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Unlimited vacation policy.
• Generous home office setup and ongoing tech stipend.
• Annual budget for professional development, conferences, and learning resources.
• 401(k) plan with employer match.
• Flexible working hours and fully remote work environment.
• Opportunity to lead and shape the technical direction of a rapidly growing company.
• Work with a talented and diverse global team of engineers.
• Strong focus on work-life balance and employee well-being.