Remote Senior Software Architect

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first culture

Flexible remote work

Learning opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly experienced Remote Senior Software Architect in South Africa. You will design scalable, fault-tolerant systems, lead architecture decisions, and mentor distributed engineering teams across cloud-native stacks.

The role emphasizes strong API design, DevOps collaboration, and hands-on guidance in a remote setting. You will define roadmaps, collaborate with product and design, and drive architectural excellence while addressing debt and security concerns in a

Qualifications

• 10+ years in software development with ≥5 years as architect/tech lead.
• Proven experience designing large-scale distributed systems with microservices.
• Expertise in cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP) and containers.
• Back-end languages: Java, Python, Go, or Node.js.
• Experience with SQL and NoSQL databases and messaging systems.
• Strong API design, RESTful services, and event-driven architectures.
• Remote collaboration and leadership in Agile/DevOps environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and architect scalable distributed systems using microservices and cloud-native principles.
• Define technical roadmaps for product development and platform evolution.
• Lead software teams and promote best practices in coding, testing, and deployment.
• Evaluate technologies and tools to meet project needs.
• Collaborate with product managers and designers to translate business requirements into technical specs.
• Conduct code reviews and architecture assessments for quality and performance.
• Address technical debt, bottlenecks, and security vulnerabilities.
• Mentor junior engineers and foster knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices.
• Document architectural decisions clearly.

Skills

Architectural leadership

Distributed systems design

Cloud platforms

Backend languages

DevOps & CI/CD

Remote leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Agile methodologies

Security awareness

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/SE

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a fast-growing global technology firm specializing in cloud-native solutions, is seeking a highly experienced Remote Senior Software Architect. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to work from anywhere within South Africa. You will be instrumental in designing scalable, resilient, and high-performance software systems that form the backbone of our client's innovative products. This role requires a deep understanding of modern software architectures, design patterns, and best practices across various technology stacks. You will lead architectural decisions, mentor engineering teams, and collaborate closely with product management to translate complex business requirements into robust technical solutions. We are looking for a visionary leader who thrives in a distributed environment and is passionate about building cutting-edge software.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and architect scalable, distributed, and fault-tolerant software systems, focusing on microservices and cloud-native principles.


• Define technical roadmaps and architectural strategies for new product development and platform evolution.


• Provide technical leadership and guidance to software engineering teams, fostering best practices in coding, testing, and deployment.


• Evaluate and select appropriate technologies, frameworks, and tools to meet project requirements.


• Collaborate with product managers, designers, and other stakeholders to understand business needs and translate them into technical specifications.


• Conduct code reviews and architectural assessments to ensure code quality, performance, and maintainability.


• Identify and address technical debt, performance bottlenecks, and security vulnerabilities.


• Mentor and coach junior engineers, promoting knowledge sharing and professional growth within the engineering organization.


• Contribute to the development of CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices.


• Document architectural decisions and technical designs clearly and comprehensively.

Requirements

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


• 10+ years of experience in software development, with at least 5 years in a software architect or technical lead role.


• Proven experience designing and building large-scale, distributed systems using microservices architecture.


• Deep expertise in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).


• Strong proficiency in one or more backend programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, Go, Node.js).


• Experience with various database technologies (SQL and NoSQL) and message queuing systems.


• Solid understanding of API design, RESTful services, and event-driven architectures.


• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.


• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and leadership skills, particularly in a remote setting.


• Experience with Agile methodologies and DevOps practices.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, performance-based bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and retirement contributions.


• As a fully remote role, you will benefit from significant flexibility and work-life balance.


• Opportunities for continuous learning through online courses, conferences, and certifications are provided.


• You will work with a talented, international team on exciting projects that push the boundaries of technology.


• Join our client's innovative and supportive remote-first culture.