Senior Software Architect - Cloud-Native Applications

Placements24; East London; Hybrid; ZAR 1,995,000 - 2,992,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work

Flexible hours

Professional development budget

Bonus structure

Job summary

Placements24 invites a Senior Software Architect to shape cloud-native solutions for a fully remote, global team. You will define architectural direction, drive best practices, and mentor engineers across projects.

Candidates should have 8+ years in software development, deep microservices, Docker/Kubernetes, and major cloud platforms, plus strong leadership and communication to translate business needs into scalable designs.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in software development with at least 4 years in a software architecture role.
• Proven experience designing cloud-native, scalable, fault-tolerant systems.
• Deep knowledge of microservices, containers, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Excellent communication and leadership to mentor engineers.

Responsibilities

• Design and govern scalable cloud-native architectures.
• Lead microservices design and ensure architectural integrity.
• Evaluate technologies, guide DevOps practices, and mentor teams.

Skills

Cloud architecture

Microservices

Docker/Kubernetes

AWS/Azure/GCP

CI/CD

Leadership

Communication

Programming languages

Education

Master's degree in CS/Eng

PhD (advantage)

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Terraform

CloudFormation

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in digital transformation services, is actively seeking an exceptional Senior Software Architect to join their fully remote team. This role is designed for a visionary leader with extensive experience in designing and implementing robust, scalable, and resilient cloud-native applications. You will be instrumental in defining the technical vision, architectural direction, and best practices for developing cutting‑edge software solutions on cloud platforms. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of microservices architecture, containerization, distributed systems, and modern cloud technologies. Working in a remote‑first environment, you will collaborate closely with engineering teams, product managers, and stakeholders to translate complex business requirements into elegant and effective technical designs. Our client is committed to fostering a culture of innovation, continuous learning, and empowering their remote workforce to deliver outstanding results. This is a significant opportunity to shape the technological future of a dynamic and growing organization, impacting numerous clients and projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and architect scalable, highly available, and fault‑tolerant cloud‑native applications and systems.
• Define architectural patterns, standards, and best practices for software development.
• Lead the design and implementation of microservices architectures.
• Evaluate and select appropriate technologies, frameworks, and tools for development.
• Collaborate with development teams to ensure adherence to architectural designs and principles.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to software engineers.
• Conduct architectural reviews and ensure the technical integrity of projects.
• Optimize system performance, scalability, and cost‑effectiveness in cloud environments.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends in cloud computing and software architecture.
• Develop and maintain architectural documentation.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 8+ years of experience in software development, with at least 4 years in a software architecture role.
• Proven experience designing and building complex, large‑scale cloud‑native applications.
• Deep understanding of microservices, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and serverless architectures.
• Extensive experience with major cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Proficiency in one or more programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, Go, C#).
• Strong knowledge of database technologies, messaging queues, and caching mechanisms.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to translate business needs into technical solutions.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous retirement savings plan.
• Significant paid time off.
• Fully remote work arrangement with flexible hours.
• Budget for professional development, training, and conferences.
• Opportunity to work on innovative and impactful projects.
• Career advancement and leadership opportunities.