Remote Lead Software Architect

Placements24; Randfontein; Remote; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings plans

Generous paid time off

Remote-first environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a seasoned Remote Lead Software Architect to define the technical vision, establish architectural standards, and guide distributed teams in building scalable, secure cloud-native platforms.

You will lead microservices design, evaluate technologies, and mentor engineers while ensuring maintainability and performance across global deployments. This remote-first role emphasizes strong collaboration with product management and engineering stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years in software development with at least 5 years in a software architecture/lead role.
• Extensive experience designing microservices and cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Deep understanding of distributed systems, API design, and SQL/NoSQL databases.
• Proficiency in Java, Python, Go, or C#.
• Strong DevOps knowledge, CI/CD pipelines, and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Experience leading remote teams and influencing architectural decisions.

Responsibilities

• Define and document the overall software architecture for new and existing products.
• Lead scalable, high-performance, and secure microservices architectures.
• Enforce coding standards, best practices, and architectural principles.
• Collaborate with product managers and stakeholders to translate requirements into technical solutions.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers and other architects.
• Evaluate and select technologies, frameworks, and tools for development.
• Oversee architectural review processes for major initiatives.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks and dependencies.
• Contribute to strategic tech roadmap and technology selection.
• Ensure architecture supports maintainability and operational efficiency.

Skills

Java

Python

Go

C#

Distributed systems

API design

Cloud platforms

DevOps

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/Engineering

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

CI/CD tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge technology firm specializing in cloud-native solutions, is seeking an experienced and visionary Remote Lead Software Architect to drive the design and architecture of their next-generation platforms. This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere within the specified operational regions. You will be responsible for defining the technical vision, establishing architectural standards, and guiding development teams in building scalable, robust, and secure software systems. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of modern software development methodologies, microservices architecture, and cloud technologies. You will be a key player in shaping the technological direction of the company, ensuring that our solutions are at the forefront of innovation and performance. This role demands exceptional technical leadership and a passion for creating high-quality, impactful software. This is a remote-first opportunity designed for experienced architects who thrive in a distributed team environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and document the overall software architecture for new and existing products, ensuring alignment with business objectives.


• Lead the design and implementation of scalable, high-performance, and secure microservices-based architectures.


• Establish and enforce coding standards, best practices, and architectural principles across development teams.


• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineering leads, and stakeholders to translate requirements into technical solutions.


• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to software engineers and other architects.


• Evaluate and select appropriate technologies, frameworks, and tools for software development.


• Oversee the architectural review process for all major development initiatives.


• Identify and mitigate technical risks and dependencies.


• Contribute to the strategic technical roadmap and technology selection.


• Ensure the architecture supports maintainability, scalability, and operational efficiency.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.


• 10+ years of experience in software development, with a minimum of 5 years in a software architecture or lead architect role.


• Extensive experience designing and implementing microservices architectures, preferably in a cloud environment (AWS, Azure, GCP).


• Deep understanding of distributed systems, API design, and various database technologies (SQL, NoSQL).


• Proficiency in multiple programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, Go, C#).


• Strong knowledge of DevOps principles, CI/CD pipelines, and containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).


• Experience with agile development methodologies.


• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.


• Proven ability to lead and mentor technical teams in a remote setting.


• Demonstrated ability to influence technical decisions and drive architectural consensus.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package. This includes excellent health insurance coverage, retirement savings plans, and generous paid time off. As a remote-first company, we provide a flexible work environment and support for home office setup. Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development, including access to online courses and conferences, are provided. Employees are part of a dynamic and innovative team with a strong emphasis on collaboration and continuous improvement. This role offers the chance to work on challenging projects with a global impact while enjoying the full benefits of remote work.