Remote Principal Software Architect

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health benefits

Learning budget

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Software Architect to define the technical vision for large-scale, cloud-native systems. This fully remote role offers leadership across distributed engineering teams, guiding architectural decisions and technology strategy.

You will collaborate with product managers and engineers to translate business goals into scalable solutions, while mentoring teams and staying ahead in cloud, microservices, and AI/ML trends.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of software development focusing on architecture for large-scale systems.
• Experience with microservices, event-driven systems, and APIs.
• Deep cloud platform expertise (AWS/Azure/GCP) and services.
• Strong knowledge of Docker and Kubernetes for containerization/orchestration.
• Proficiency in Java, Python, Go, or C#.
• Experience with SQL/NoSQL data design and data streaming technologies.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive overall software architecture for mission-critical applications and platforms.
• Establish architectural principles, standards, and best practices across engineering teams.
• Lead design of scalable, resilient, and secure distributed systems using cloud-native tech.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies to improve development and operations.
• Translate business requirements into robust technical solutions with product teams.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to remote development teams.

Skills

Microservices architectures

Event-driven systems

AWS

Docker

Kubernetes

Java

Python

Go

C#

Data streaming

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/SE

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in cloud-native solutions, is seeking a visionary Principal Software Architect to join their distributed engineering team. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to contribute to groundbreaking projects from the convenience of your home office. You will be responsible for defining the technical vision, architectural principles, and technology strategy for complex, large-scale software systems. This role requires a deep understanding of modern software design patterns, distributed systems, and cloud technologies. You will collaborate with engineering leaders, product managers, and development teams across the organization to ensure architectural alignment and technical excellence. This is a leadership opportunity for a seasoned architect looking to make a significant impact on a global scale.

Key Responsibilities

Define and drive the overall software architecture for mission-critical applications and platforms. Establish architectural principles, standards, and best practices across all engineering teams. Lead the design of scalable, resilient, and secure distributed systems leveraging cloud-native technologies. Evaluate and recommend new technologies, tools, and frameworks to enhance development and operational efficiency. Collaborate with product management and engineering leads to translate business requirements into robust technical solutions. Provide technical leadership and mentorship to development teams, guiding them on architectural best practices. Conduct architectural reviews, identify potential risks, and propose mitigation strategies. Document architectural decisions, patterns, and guidelines. Stay at the forefront of technological advancements in software architecture, microservices, cloud computing, and AI/ML.

Requirements

Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience. 10+ years of experience in software development, with a significant focus on software architecture for large-scale systems. Proven experience designing and implementing microservices architectures, event-driven systems, and APIs. Deep expertise in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and their associated services. Strong knowledge of containerization and orchestration technologies (Docker, Kubernetes). Familiarity with various programming paradigms and languages (e.g., Java, Python, Go, C#). Experience with data architecture, database design (SQL/NoSQL), and data streaming technologies. Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence technical stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor technical teams in a remote environment.

Benefits

This fully remote position offers an exceptionally competitive salary, significant bonus potential, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, and generous stock options. Our client is committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning, providing access to advanced training, conferences, and resources. Enjoy the flexibility of working from anywhere in **South Africa** while contributing to world-class technology solutions. Join a team of industry leaders and help shape the future of software architecture.