Remote Principal Software Architect

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 2,964,000 - 3,952,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive salary

Bonuses

Equity options

Global health insurance

Home office stipend

Unlimited PTO

Learning resources

Remote work

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Principal Software Architect to design and guide the architecture of cutting-edge software systems. You will set technical direction, mentor engineering teams, and translate business needs into robust architectural solutions.

The role requires 12+ years in software development, with 5+ years in senior architecture, and deep experience with cloud-native, distributed systems, and modern tech stacks. Remote role with global impact and performance-driven expectations.

Qualifications

• Total software development experience of 12+ years with 5+ years in senior architecture.
• Proven ability to design large-scale distributed and cloud-native apps.
• Deep cloud platform expertise (AWS/Azure/GCP) and security best practices.
• Strong system design, algorithms, data structures, and design patterns.
• Experience leading engineering teams in a remote setting.
• Familiarity with Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Design and document high-level architecture for new software systems with scalability and maintainability.
• Provide technical leadership and strategic guidance to multiple product teams.
• Evaluate technologies and define roadmaps, standards, and guidelines.
• Collaborate with product management to translate requirements into architecture.
• Identify risks and ensure robustness, security, and performance of solutions.
• Mentor engineers on architectural principles and patterns; conduct reviews.
• Stay updated on emerging tech and advocate beneficial adoptions.

Skills

Cloud architecture

Distributed systems

Microservices

System design

Technical leadership

Security best practices

Remote collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/Engineering

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

CI/CD

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in innovative cloud solutions, is seeking an exceptional Remote Principal Software Architect . This is a fully remote position, allowing you to leverage your expertise from anywhere. You will be responsible for designing and guiding the architecture of cutting-edge software systems, setting technical direction, and mentoring engineering teams. The ideal candidate is a visionary technologist with a deep understanding of scalable, resilient, and high-performance distributed systems. You will be instrumental in defining the technological future of our client's flagship products, ensuring they remain at the forefront of industry innovation. This role demands a profound technical depth and the ability to translate complex business requirements into robust, elegant architectural solutions. Your contributions will directly shape the technological landscape for our client.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and document high-level architecture for new software systems and features, ensuring scalability, reliability, and maintainability.
• Provide technical leadership and strategic guidance to engineering teams across multiple product lines.
• Evaluate and select appropriate technologies, frameworks, and design patterns for complex software solutions.
• Develop and enforce architectural standards, best practices, and coding guidelines.
• Collaborate closely with product management, engineering leads, and other stakeholders to define technical roadmaps and requirements.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks, ensuring the robustness and security of software architectures.
• Mentor and coach software engineers on architectural principles, design patterns, and advanced development techniques.
• Conduct architectural reviews and provide constructive feedback to development teams.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends, advocating for their adoption where beneficial.

Requirements

• A minimum of 12 years of experience in software development, with at least 5 years in a senior architectural role.
• Proven experience designing and implementing large-scale, distributed, and cloud-native applications (e.g., microservices, event-driven architectures).
• Deep expertise in one or more major cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their associated services.
• Strong understanding of various programming paradigms, data structures, algorithms, and software design patterns.
• Excellent command of system design principles, performance optimization, and security best practices.
• Experience with containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes) and CI/CD pipelines.
• Exceptional problem‑solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Proven ability to lead technical discussions and influence engineering decisions in a remote setting.

Benefits

• A top-tier executive salary, reflecting your expertise and the critical nature of this remote role.
• Performance-based bonuses and equity options.
• Comprehensive global health insurance coverage.
• Generous home office setup stipend and ongoing technology allowance.
• Unlimited paid time off policy, encouraging a healthy work-life balance.
• Opportunities to work on transformative projects with a leading innovator in cloud technology, regardless of your location.
• Access to cutting-edge learning and development resources.