Senior Software Developer (Bellville)

Momentum; Bellville; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Momentum seeks a senior software architect to develop, test, deploy, maintain, and support a portfolio of software applications in a regulated financial services environment. You will translate business strategy into architectures, drive security-by-design, and lead architectural decisions.

You will mentor junior developers, engage with Exco stakeholders, and collaborate with solution architects to set coding standards while optimizing cloud infrastructure on AWS or Azure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering or equivalent (Essential)
• Postgraduate qualification or equivalent structured professional development is advantageous
• Advanced industry certifications required (e.g. AWS Solutions Architect – Professional or AWS DevOps Engineer – Professional; Microsoft AZ-305 / AZ-400; Certified Scrum Professional). Security-relevant certifications are valued.
• 8–10+ years' software development experience (Essential)
• Hands-on experience with AWS or Azure in production environments (Essential)
• Experience mentoring junior and intermediate developers in a structured capacity
• Experience engaging with senior business stakeholders at management or Exco level

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of complex, high-impact software solutions across multiple system domains.
• Translate high-level business strategy into technical architectures and implementation roadmaps.
• Drive technical specification processes and ensure alignment with enterprise architecture and security standards.
• Collaborate with Solution Architects to define coding standards and design patterns.
• Conduct and approve code reviews, enforcing security guidelines.
• Champion test-driven development with adequate testing coverage across units and integration.
• Own end-to-end delivery of solutions into production, including deployment and monitoring.
• Design software with security built in from inception and apply OWASP Top 10 principles.
• Maintain awareness of IT security standards and regulatory requirements relevant to financial services.
• Identify systemic issues and lead resolution efforts.
• Evaluate new technologies to improve delivery quality.
• Work with hyperscaler cloud platforms at an advanced level including architecture and cost optimization.

Skills

Architecture decisions

Security-by-design

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS / IT / SE

Postgraduate qualification advantageous

Tools

AWS

Azure

Security certifications

Job description

Metropolitan is one of the oldest financial services brands in South Africa. With a 125-year legacy of serving the communities in which it operates, Metropolitan represents true empowerment in serving Africa's people through affordable financial solutions that create financial growth and security.

Metropolitan operates in South Africa, but the brand is also present in 7 African countries including, Namibia, Botswana, Kenya, Ghana and Lesotho. Metropolitan provides financial wellness solutions that meet the needs of low-income clients, including funeral insurance, health, savings, hospital cash-back cover, retirement solutions and life insurance.

www.metropolitan.co.za

Disclaimer As an applicant, please verify the legitimacy of this job advert on our company career page.

Role Purpose

Develop, test, deploy, maintain and support a portfolio of new and existing software applications and services, from high-level business requirements and designs, through the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering or equivalent (Essential)
• Postgraduate qualification or equivalent structured professional development is advantageous
• Advanced industry certifications required (e.g. AWS Solutions Architect – Professional or AWS DevOps Engineer – Professional; Microsoft AZ-305 / AZ-400; Certified Scrum Professional). Security-relevant certifications are specifically valued (e.g. AWS Security Specialty, CompTIA Security+, or equivalent). TOGAF Foundation is advantageous for roles with architectural input responsibilities.
• 8–10+ years' software development experience (Essential)
• Demonstrated contribution to architectural decisions and technical design in a commercial environment
• Proven track record delivering complex solutions within financial services or a similarly regulated industry
• Hands-on, advanced experience with AWS or Azure in production environments (Essential)
• Demonstrated experience applying security-by-design principles and OWASP guidelines in delivered solutions
• Experience mentoring junior and intermediate developers in a structured capacity
• Experience engaging with senior business stakeholders at management or Exco level
• Established domain expertise in the functional area of the team

Duties & Responsibilities

INTERNAL PROCESSES

• Lead the design and development of complex, high-impact software solutions across multiple system domains.
• Translate high-level business strategy into technical architectures and implementation roadmaps.
• Drive technical specification processes and ensure alignment with enterprise architecture and security standards.
• Collaborate with Solution Architects to co-create frameworks of best practice, coding standards, and design patterns for the team.
• Conduct and approve code reviews, enforcing coding standards, design principles, and security guidelines across the team.
• Champion test-driven development and ensure adequate testing coverage across unit, integration, and UAT phases.
• Own end-to-end delivery of solutions into production, including deployment, monitoring, and post-release support.
• Design software with security built in from inception - applying OWASP Top 10 principles, threat modelling, and secure coding practices.
• Maintain awareness of applicable IT security standards and regulatory requirements relevant to financial services (e.g. POPIA, PCI-DSS).
• Identify systemic issues, perform deep root-cause analysis, and lead resolution efforts.
• Evaluate and introduce new technologies, frameworks, or approaches that measurably improve delivery quality.
• Work with hyperscaler cloud platforms (AWS or Azure) at an advanced level including infrastructure design, security configuration, and cost optimisation.
• Participate in or lead sprint planning, backlog refinement, and architectural decision records (ADRs).
• Engage directly with business stakeholders and senior management on complex technical matters and solution trade-offs.

CLIENT

• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to business clients and senior stakeholders within the team's domain.
• Lead engagement on complex technical deliverables and manage expectations at a senior level.
• Establish and drive adherence to service delivery standards across the team.
• Champion a client-centric development culture and ensure feedback loops are embedded in delivery.

PEOPLE

• Act as a primary mentor and coach for junior and intermediate developers - providing structured guidance on technical skills, professional conduct, and career development.
• Lead by example in code quality, documentation discipline, secure design, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Contribute to capability-building initiatives including internal guilds, knowledge sessions, and communities of practice.
• Drive team culture aligned to productivity, quality, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Actively support talent pipeline development and participate in hiring and onboarding processes.
• Serve as the team's subject matter expert and domain authority for the functional area in which the team operates (e.g. premium collections, product, digital, actuarial systems) - bridging technical and business domains.

FINANCE

• Identify and lead initiatives to enhance cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency at a portfolio level.
• Provide input into business cases for significant technical investments or platform changes.
• Participate in risk identification forums and communicate well-reasoned technical risk recommendations to appropriate governance structures.

Competencies

• Developing Expertise
• Examining Information
• Interpreting Data
• Challenging Ideas
• Articulating Information
• Team Working
• Managing Tasks
• Producing Output
• Taking Action
• Inviting Feedback
• Documenting Facts
• Meeting Timescales
• Adopting Practical Approaches