Senior Software Architect - Cloud-Native Solutions

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top-tier compensation

Executive medical, dental & vision

Superior retirement fund

Generous paid time off

Learning & conference opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Software Architect in Sandton to lead the design of scalable, cloud-native solutions. You will drive architectural standards, mentor teams, and shape technical strategy in a fast-moving financial district environment.

The role requires 10+ years in software development with 5+ in architecture, strong cloud/microservices expertise, and a hands-on leadership style. Expect collaboration with product and business stakeholders to deliver high-quality systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years in software development, with 5+ years in architecture/leadership.
• Proven experience designing distributed systems with microservices on cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP).
• Deep understanding of containers (Docker/Kubernetes) and serverless computing.
• Expertise in RESTful APIs and event-driven architectures; strong programming language knowledge (Java, Python, Go) and SQL/NoSQL databases.
• Experience with Agile and DevOps; excellent communication and stakeholder skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and document high-level software architecture for large-scale cloud-native apps.
• Set architectural standards and best practices across multiple teams.
• Lead technology evaluation of frameworks, tools for cloud-based solutions.
• Translate requirements into robust technical designs with product/business teams.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers; foster quality and innovation.
• Address technical debt, performance, and scalability challenges.
• Oversee CI/CD implementations and infrastructure-as-code strategies.
• Conduct architectural reviews respecting security and compliance.

Skills

Cloud computing

Microservices architecture

Technical leadership

Communication

Security & compliance

Architectural design

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/SE

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

CI/CD tooling

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent enterprise technology provider, is seeking a highly experienced and visionary Senior Software Architect to lead the design of scalable, resilient, and cloud-native solutions. This key role, based in the bustling financial district of Sandton, Gauteng , will involve defining technical strategies, setting architectural standards, and guiding development teams in building next-generation software platforms. You will leverage your deep expertise in cloud computing, microservices architecture, and modern development practices to drive innovation and ensure the delivery of high-quality, performant software. The ideal candidate possesses a strong technical background, excellent leadership capabilities, and a passion for designing robust and efficient systems. This is a strategic position within a company at the forefront of digital transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and document high-level software architecture for complex, large-scale applications, with a focus on cloud-native principles.
• Define and enforce architectural standards, patterns, and best practices across multiple development teams.
• Lead the evaluation and selection of appropriate technologies, frameworks, and tools for cloud-based solutions.
• Collaborate with product managers, business analysts, and development teams to translate requirements into robust technical designs.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to software engineers, fostering a culture of quality and innovation.
• Identify and address technical debt, performance bottlenecks, and scalability challenges.
• Oversee the implementation of CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure-as-code strategies.
• Conduct architectural reviews and ensure adherence to security and compliance requirements.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends in cloud computing, microservices, and distributed systems.
• Facilitate communication between technical teams and stakeholders to ensure alignment on architectural vision.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in software development, with at least 5 years in a software architecture or technical leadership role.
• Proven experience designing and building complex, distributed systems using microservices architecture on cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Deep understanding of containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes) and serverless computing.
• Expertise in designing and implementing RESTful APIs and event-driven architectures.
• Strong knowledge of various programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, Go) and database technologies (SQL, NoSQL).
• Experience with Agile methodologies and DevOps practices.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and guide technical teams in a collaborative environment.
• Experience working in financial services or a similar regulated industry is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers a top-tier compensation package, including a substantial base salary, significant annual bonus, and potential long-term incentives.
• Comprehensive benefits include executive-level medical, dental, and vision insurance, a superior retirement fund, and generous paid time off.
• We provide opportunities for continuous learning through training programs, certifications, and conference attendance.
• Employees are encouraged to attend industry events and contribute to the wider tech community.
• The role is strategically located in the heart of Sandton 's business district.