Senior Mobile Developer (Android)

Platform45; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Platform45 is seeking an experienced Senior Mobile Developer (Android) to lead the design, development, and maintenance of high-quality Android applications. You will collaborate with product, UX/UI, and backend teams to deliver robust features, while mentoring junior engineers and driving best practices.

The role demands strong Kotlin/Java skills, deep knowledge of Android architecture, and a track record of shipping on Google Play.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field, or self-taught with strong systems understanding.
• 7+ years of Android development delivering apps to Google Play.
• Expert knowledge of Kotlin and Java with Android SDK experience.
• Strong mobile architecture understanding (MVC, MVVM) and SOLID/DRY principles.
• Experience with Jetpack components and DI frameworks (Dagger/Hilt).
• RESTful APIs, WebSockets, and third-party integrations.
• Familiarity with CI/CD and automated testing in Android.
• Experience publishing apps in Google Play and managing versions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and maintenance of scalable Android applications per client requirements.
• Provide technical leadership and adherence to coding standards and architecture.
• Collaborate to define system architecture and innovative solutions.
• Work with product managers, designers, and backend developers on feature delivery.
• Conduct code reviews, testing, and QA processes for reliability and security.
• Mentor junior developers and promote best practices.
• Work with clients to understand needs and propose technical solutions.
• Stay updated on industry trends and improve development standards.

Skills

Kotlin

Java

Android SDK

MVVM/MVC

RESTful APIs

CI/CD

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Software Engineering or equivalent

Tools

Jetpack

Dagger/Hilt

Android Studio

Job description

SENIOR MOBILE DEVELOPER (ANDROID)

Department: Operations & Delivery

Reports to: Technical Lead and Line Manager

WHO PLATFORM45 IS

We are responsible for code changing the lives of people around the world, every day. We solve complex problems and build big ideas. We believe in the ability of technology to make the world a better place; we’re driven to rip through conformity and create new solutions, and smarter habits. We know why we’re here: To unleash the potential of people through the power of technology. We are people multiplied by the power of tech and together we are changing the world.

CONTEXT | THE ROLE

Being a developer is not just about the ‘code’. At Platform45, our developers are all-rounders who can write exceptional, well-designed, and testable code but also collaborate effectively within their team and with others. Over and above the technical know-how, you’ll need good verbal and written skills as you build up relationships with our clients. At Platform45, we treat our clients like partners - they’re an important part of the team and we strive to work together to build something beautiful. As a senior developer, it’s always important to keep learning, whether that means new language platforms, keeping ahead of industry trends and methodologies, or other facets of the tech stack - our goal is to develop the best products to solve our client’s needs.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES | THE WHAT & THE HOW

The Essentials

• Software Development
  • Lead the design, development, implementation and maintenance of scalable and robust Android applications that meet client requirements and industry standards.
• Technical Leadership
  • Provide technical expertise and guidance to development teams, ensuring adherence to best practices, coding standards, and architectural principles.
  • The ability to take full responsibility for a project.
  • Being able to problem-solve and self-correct where needed
• Solution Architecture
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to define system architecture, identify technical requirements, and design innovative solutions that address complex business challenges.
• Collaboration
  • Collaborate with product managers, UX/UI designers, and backend developers to define and implement new features and enhance existing ones.
• Code Review and Quality Assurance
  • Conduct code reviews, perform thorough testing, and implement quality assurance processes to ensure the reliability, performance, and security of software applications.
  • Design and implement automated unit and integration tests to ensure the quality and reliability of Android apps.
  • Optimize application performance, responsiveness, and resource usage for smooth operation across a wide range of devices.
• Requirement Analysis
  • Work closely with clients to understand their needs, gather requirements, and propose technical solutions that align with their objectives and budget constraints.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Stay updated on emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices in software development, and leverage this knowledge to enhance our development standards, processes, and capabilities.
• Mentoring:
  • Provide mentorship of junior / less experienced developers assisting them in growing their technical expertise and providing them with guidance on adherence to best practices, coding standards, and architectural principles.

Technical Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or provable, self-taught development skills with a good understanding of how systems work.
• 7+ years of work experience in Android application development, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality apps to the Google Play Store.
• Expert knowledge of Kotlin and Java, with extensive experience working with the Android SDK, Android Studio, and related libraries.
• Strong understanding of mobile architecture patterns (MVC, MVVM, etc.) and software design principles (SOLID, DRY, etc.).
• Experience with advanced Android components and frameworks, including Jetpack (Navigation, Room, ViewModel) and dependency injection tools (Dagger, Hilt).
• Deep knowledge of RESTful APIs, WebSockets, and third-party API integrations.
• Familiarity with other mobile frameworks (e.g., React Native, Flutter) would be an advantage.
• Familiarity with continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines and automated testing tools for Android.
• Experience with performance tuning, memory management, and security best practices in Android development.
• Experience with publishing and maintaining Android apps in the Google Play Store, including versioning, A/B testing, and handling app reviews.
• Having experience working within a high-growth tech startup would be an advantage.
• Have brilliant problem-solving abilities that take product design, process and technical aspects into account.
• Have the ability to clearly articulate solutions for a technical and non-technical audience.

Critical Competencies

• You have an entrepreneurial mindset and can understand the business value of a project.
• You have the ability to research and develop new products and modifications to existing software when needed.
• You are someone who is motivated, energetic, and always focussed on the task at hand.
• A strategic thinker who can work under pressure, independently problem solve, and draw knowledge from a broad range of experiences.
• A proactive, continuous, and quick learner who is genuinely excited about industry trends and has a passion for technology and knowledge.
• A resourceful, ‘big-picture’ thinker who considers how the code that is written will have an impact later on.
• Good communication and teamwork are critical - you’ll not only be dealing with developers but also designers, product owners, clients, and other key stakeholders.
• Play a mentorship role to our interns, juniors, and other less‑experienced engineers.