Software Engineering Manager

Avatar International; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 1 100 000 - 1 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A client-focused technology firm in South Africa needs an experienced Software Engineering Manager to lead a high-performing engineering team. Responsibilities include overseeing the full software development lifecycle, managing a team of engineers, and driving innovative software delivery. The ideal candidate should have 8-10 years of relevant experience, a strong educational background, and proven leadership skills. This role offers a competitive salary and presents a chance to shape engineering excellence within the organization.

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of relevant software engineering experience, including leadership responsibilities.
• Strong decision-making skills with the ability to balance short- and long-term considerations.
• Excellent communication and influencing abilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full software development lifecycle including design, development, and testing.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of 7-12 software engineers.
• Develop and execute technical and operational strategies aligned to organisational goals.

Skills

Decision-making skills

Communication abilities

Talent development

Strategic thinking

Relationship management

Education

Relevant Diploma or Degree in a technical field

Job description

Our client is looking for an experienced Software Engineering Manager to lead a high-performing engineering team.

Bullet points:

• Salary: R1.1M - R1.8M + benefits depending on experience
• A 5 day a week on premises role based in La Lucia
• 8-10 years of relevant software engineering experience

About the Role

We're looking for an experienced Software Engineering Manager to lead a high-performing engineering team and drive the end-to-end delivery of innovative software products and projects. This role is ideal for a strategic, people-focused leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about building exceptional engineering culture. You'll be responsible for guiding technical delivery, shaping product direction, developing talent, and ensuring that engineering excellence is embedded in every stage of the lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Software Delivery & Product/Project Leadership

• Oversee the full software development lifecycle, including requirements, design, development, testing, deployment, performance, support, and decommissioning.
• Align product and project strategies with business objectives and customer needs.
• Prioritise and manage backlogs, demand pipelines, and product roadmaps.
• Track and report on performance metrics and business value realisation.
• Remove delivery bottlenecks and ensure risks are identified and mitigated.
• Maintain strong technical understanding of products and engineering practices.
• Ensure compliance with internal standards, processes, and quality expectations.

Team Leadership & People Development

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of 7-12 software engineers.
• Recruit and onboard new team members as needed.
• Build capability through coaching, training plans, and career development pathways.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance engineering culture.
• Manage team budgets and resource planning.
• Provide regular performance feedback and drive continuous improvement.

Continuous Improvement

• Review and refine engineering processes to improve efficiency and quality.
• Champion automation across development, testing, deployment, and monitoring.
• Stay current with industry best practices and emerging technologies.

Stakeholder & Cross-Team Collaboration

• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Drive alignment across dependent teams, products, and services.
• Resolve escalations with urgency and clarity.
• Communicate progress, risks, and decisions effectively.

Strategic Contribution

• Develop and execute technical and operational strategies aligned to organisational goals.
• Use market insights and competitor analysis to identify opportunities and risks.
• Collaborate with other teams to achieve shared objectives.

Change Management

• Support and lead change initiatives driven by organisational, market, or product needs.

What You Bring

• Relevant Diploma or Degree in a technical field.
• 8-10 years of relevant software engineering experience, including leadership responsibilities.
• Strong decision-making skills with the ability to balance short- and long-term considerations.
• Excellent communication and influencing abilities.
• Proven experience developing talent and building strong engineering teams.
• A strategic mindset with the ability to align day-to-day work to broader organisational goals.
• Adaptability, resilience, and a passion for continuous improvement.

Behavioural Competencies

• Adaptable and resilient
• Strong decision-making quality
• Collaborative and relationship-focused
• Results-driven
• Effective communicator and influencer
• Strategic thinker
• Talent developer
• Innovative and resourceful

Ready to Lead and Inspire?

If you're excited about shaping engineering excellence and driving impactful delivery, we'd love to hear from you. Submit your application and join a team where your leadership truly matters.