Software Architect

Dariel; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Dariel in South Africa is seeking a Senior Software Architect to define and govern software architecture across client engagements. You will influence delivery teams, enable predictable outcomes, and drive SDLC optimization.

The role covers pre-sales support, solution design, and leadership in modern delivery practices, with a focus on scalable, secure systems and high-quality software. You will mentor engineers, collaborate with stakeholders, and translate industry trends into practical

Qualifications

• Strong experience in software architecture and system design.
• Proven experience across the full Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC).
• Expertise in distributed systems and integration patterns.
• Solid understanding of DevOps, CI/CD, and modern delivery practices.
• Ability to influence technical direction across teams and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Define and own end-to-end SDLC approaches aligned to client and business needs
• Design and govern software architectures for scalability, security, and performance
• Establish architectural principles, standards, and delivery guardrails
• Lead system assessments and modernisation initiatives
• Maintain clear architectural documentation (e.g., ADRs, system diagrams)
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients and delivery teams
• Guide complex technical decisions and trade-offs
• Support predictable delivery across the SDLC
• Assist with incident analysis and continuous improvement
• Align technical execution with business strategy
• Support sales teams with architecture and solution input
• Contribute to proposals, RFPs, and Statements of Work
• Participate in client engagements to provide technical credibility
• Assist with estimation and risk assessment
• Articulate long-term value, cost, and risk implications of design decisions
• Champion best practices in software design, testing, and delivery
• Promote adoption of tools, frameworks, and modern delivery patterns
• Identify and address architectural anti-patterns
• Collaborate with leadership to improve delivery standards
• Translate industry trends into practical, business-relevant solutions
• Mentor engineers, technical leads, and aspiring architects
• Encourage structured thinking and architectural maturity
• Support recruitment, assessments, and interviews
• Contribute to competency frameworks and career development models
• Provide technical input into performance management

Skills

Software architecture

SDLC

Distributed systems

DevOps/CI-CD

Stakeholder influence

Tools

ADR/Documentation

C4 modelling

Job description

Role Overview

The SDLC / Software Architect is responsible for defining, governing, and evolving software architecture and delivery practices across client engagements. Operating at the intersection of business needs and engineering execution, the role ensures scalable, maintainable, and high-quality software solutions. The position influences delivery teams, pre-sales engagements, and internal capability development, focusing on architectural leadership, SDLC optimisation, and enabling predictable delivery outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibility 1: SDLC & Architecture Ownership

• Define and own end-to-end SDLC approaches aligned to client and business needs
• Design and govern software architectures for scalability, security, and performance
• Establish architectural principles, standards, and delivery guardrails
• Lead system assessments and modernisation initiatives
• Maintain clear architectural documentation (e.g., ADRs, system diagrams)

Responsibility 2: Client Delivery Enablement

• Act as a trusted advisor to clients and delivery teams
• Guide complex technical decisions and trade-offs
• Support predictable delivery across the SDLC
• Assist with incident analysis and continuous improvement
• Align technical execution with business strategy

Responsibility 3: Pre-Sales & Solution Design

• Support sales teams with architecture and solution input
• Contribute to proposals, RFPs, and Statements of Work
• Participate in client engagements to provide technical credibility
• Assist with estimation and risk assessment
• Articulate long-term value, cost, and risk implications of design decisions

Responsibility 4: Technology & Delivery Leadership

• Champion best practices in software design, testing, and delivery
• Promote adoption of tools, frameworks, and modern delivery patterns
• Identify and address architectural anti-patterns
• Collaborate with leadership to improve delivery standards
• Translate industry trends into practical, business-relevant solutions

Responsibility 5: Human Capital Development

• Mentor engineers, technical leads, and aspiring architects
• Encourage structured thinking and architectural maturity
• Support recruitment, assessments, and interviews
• Contribute to competency frameworks and career development models
• Provide technical input into performance management

Requirements

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong experience in software architecture and system design
• Proven experience across the full Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
• Expertise in distributed systems and integration patterns
• Solid understanding of DevOps, CI/CD, and modern delivery practices
• Ability to influence technical direction across teams and stakeholders

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience in consulting or client-facing environments
• Exposure to multi-system, complex architecture landscapes
• Familiarity with architecture documentation frameworks (e.g., C4, ADRs)
• Experience contributing to pre-sales or solution design initiatives

Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field
• Equivalent practical experience considered

Behavioural Competencies

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Systems thinking and structured problem-solving ability
• Leadership through influence rather than authority
• Calm, pragmatic, and decisive under pressure
• High emotional intelligence and adaptability
• Strong ownership and accountability

What We Offer

• A senior, high-impact role shaping architecture and delivery quality
• Exposure to diverse clients, industries, and technical challenges
• Strong autonomy with executive support
• Continuous professional development and growth opportunities
• Flexibility to shape your role in line with business strategy
• A collaborative culture focused on engineering excellence and long-term value