Remote Principal Software Architect - Cloud Native Solutions

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 3,046,000 - 4,061,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Remote work

Learning opportunities

Stock options

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal Software Architect to lead cloud-native design and development of scalable, secure applications on AWS, Azure, or GCP. This fully remote role requires guiding teams, setting technical standards, and shaping the technology roadmap.

The ideal candidate has 12+ years in software architecture, deep microservices knowledge, expertise in Docker/Kubernetes, and strong leadership in remote environments. Competitive compensation and global collaboration are provided.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 12+ years of software development with architecture/design focus.
• Proven experience designing large-scale distributed systems on AWS, Azure or GCP.
• Deep knowledge of microservices, RESTful APIs and event-driven patterns.
• Hands-on with Docker and Kubernetes, plus CI/CD tools such as Jenkins, GitLab CI, Argo CD.
• Proficiency in Java, Python, Go or Node.js and strong data modeling skills.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and remote collaboration abilities.

Responsibilities

• Define and champion the architectural vision for cloud-native apps aligned to business goals.
• Design scalable, resilient microservices architectures with modern patterns.
• Lead adoption of Docker and Kubernetes across teams and platforms.
• Establish coding standards and design principles across development groups.
• Develop and optimize CI/CD pipelines for rapid, reliable delivery.
• Evaluate cloud services and third-party technologies to meet project needs.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers and architects.
• Collaborate with product, operations and stakeholders for successful outcomes.
• Conduct architectural reviews, performance tuning and security assessments.
• Stay ahead of cloud/DevOps trends to drive innovation across the stack.
• Drive continuous improvement of the software lifecycle regardless of location.

Skills

Architectural Vision

Cloud Platforms

Microservices

REST APIs

Event-driven

CI/CD

Leadership

Remote Collaboration

Distributed Systems

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/Engineering or related field

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Jenkins

GitLab CI

Argo CD

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly expanding global technology firm, is seeking an exceptional Principal Software Architect to lead the design and development of cutting-edge cloud-native solutions. This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere. You will be responsible for defining the architectural vision, setting technical standards, and guiding development teams in building scalable, resilient, and high-performance applications on leading cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of microservices architecture, containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes), CI/CD pipelines, and distributed systems. You will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our technology stack and driving innovation across the organization. This role requires a visionary leader capable of translating complex business requirements into robust, elegant technical solutions. Your expertise will be crucial in steering our architectural roadmap and ensuring our platforms remain at the forefront of technological advancement.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and champion the architectural vision for cloud-native applications, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Design scalable, resilient, and secure microservices architectures using modern design patterns.
• Lead the adoption of containerization technologies (Docker) and orchestration platforms (Kubernetes).
• Establish and enforce coding standards, best practices, and design principles across development teams.
• Develop and optimize CI/CD pipelines to enable rapid and reliable software delivery.
• Evaluate and select appropriate cloud services and third-party technologies to meet project requirements.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to software engineers and architects.
• Collaborate with product management, operations, and other stakeholders to ensure successful project outcomes.
• Conduct architectural reviews, performance tuning, and security assessments of applications.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends and technologies in cloud computing, software architecture, and DevOps.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement in our software development lifecycle and technical capabilities, regardless of physical location.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 12+ years of experience in software development, with a significant focus on software architecture and design.
• Proven expertise in designing and implementing large-scale, distributed systems on major cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Deep understanding of microservices patterns, RESTful APIs, and event-driven architectures.
• Extensive experience with containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes).
• Strong knowledge of CI/CD tools and practices (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI, Argo CD).
• Proficiency in at least one modern programming language (e.g., Java, Python, Go, Node.js).
• Excellent understanding of database technologies (SQL, NoSQL) and data modeling.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and leadership abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to influence technical direction and lead cross-functional teams in a remote setting.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, and a generous stock option plan.
• We provide a flexible remote work environment, allowing you to shape your workday.
• Opportunities for continuous learning through access to online courses, conferences, and internal knowledge-sharing sessions are abundant.
• This role offers significant autonomy and the opportunity to shape the technological future of a leading innovator in the cloud computing space.
• You will work with a talented, globally distributed team dedicated to building world-class software.