Technical Lead

Collage Recruitment; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 1 000 000 - 1 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency seeks an experienced Technical Lead in Pretoria to guide the technical direction and execution of projects. The role involves leading a talented development team, implementing scalable architectures using Next.js, React, Laravel, and Node.js, while managing project lifecycles and ensuring delivery excellence. Candidates should have 8–10 years of experience and a proven track record in enterprise-level applications.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of professional development experience, with at least 2+ years in a technical leadership role.
• Proven track record delivering enterprise-level web and mobile applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of developers.
• Define and implement scalable application architectures.
• Oversee all stages of the software development lifecycle.
• Collaborate with project managers and clients.
• Manage technical delivery and ensure high-quality outputs.

Skills

Technical leadership

Project management

Scalable application architecture

Problem-solving

Excellent communication

Tools

Next.js

React

Node.js

Laravel

PHP

PostgreSQL

MySQL

MongoDB

AWS

Job description

We are going to be interviewing very soon. Our client needs someone to start 1st Jan 2026.

Our client is looking for an experienced Technical Lead to join our innovative and forward-thinking digital team. They are based in Pretoria. The role is onsite with some flexibility for remote work, but it's not a hybrid role.

The successful candidate will take ownership of the technical direction, architecture, and execution of projects across multiple clients and industries. You’ll lead a talented development team, driving delivery excellence across Next.js, React, Laravel, and Node.js applications while ensuring scalability, performance, and security.

As a senior technical leader, you will guide developers in adopting best practices, manage project lifecycles, and shape the evolution of the technology stack and digital products. You’ll also explore emerging technologies; including blockchain, AI, and headless architectures to future‑proof the company’s digital offerings.

Experience

• Minimum 8–10 years professional development experience, with at least 2+ years in a technical leadership or team lead role.
• Proven track record delivering enterprise‑level web and mobile applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of developers (front‑end, back‑end, and DevOps).
• Define and implement scalable application architectures using Next.js, React, Node.js, and Laravel.
• Oversee all stages of the software development lifecycle: planning, estimation, design, development, testing, deployment, and support.
• Collaborate closely with project managers, designers, and clients to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
• Engage with authoring and maintaining Business Requirement Specifications (BRS) and author Functional Requirement Specifications (FRS) to ensure clear understanding of scope, deliverables, and technical expectations.
• Enforce and continuously improve coding standards, code review practices, and documentation quality.
• Manage technical delivery, ensuring high‑quality outputs and adherence to deadlines.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks and scope creep early in the project lifecycle.
• Champion best practices in CI/CD, cloud hosting, security, and performance optimisation.
• Conduct architecture reviews and guide the adoption of new frameworks and technologies.
• Implement and prototype blockchain‑based solutions (e.g., smart contracts, decentralised integrations).
• Lead technical interviews, hiring, and onboarding of developers.
• Support the professional growth and career development of junior and intermediate developers.
• Collaborate with leadership to align technology decisions with broader business objectives.

Core Technologies (all required)

• Backend: PHP, Laravel, Node.js (TypeScript)
• Frontend: Next.js, React, Vue.js, HTML5, SASS
• Mobile: Flutter, ReactNative
• Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB,
• APIs: RESTful & GraphQL
• CMS: Headless CMS architectures
• Version Control: Git, GitFlow strategy
• DevOps: AWS CodeDeploy, Docker
• Testing: PHPUnit, e2e Testing
• Security: Application hardening, OWASP principles, access control
• Performance: Site optimisation, caching (Redis, Cloudflare), and SEO fundamentals
• Documentation: Swagger integration or equivalent

Tools & Methodologies

• Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, GitHub, GitLab
• Agile, Scrum, and DevOps methodologies
• Experience managing hybrid or remote development teams
• Familiarity with UX/UI principles, accessibility standards, and SEO

Key Competencies

• Strong technical leadership and proven team management abilities
• Excellent communication and client‑facing skills
• High attention to detail and a strong sense of accountability
• Proactive problem‑solver with a focus on scalable solutions
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Passion for mentoring, learning, and driving continuous improvement
• Commitment to high‑quality, clean maintainable code and documentation

Advantages (Not Crucial but Beneficial)

• Experience with blockchain technologies (e.g., Solana, smart contracts, or Web3 integrations).
• Rust
• Anchor Framework experience
• Python
• Experience with Serverless functions
• ApostropheCMS
• DrupalCMS
• Browser Automation tools
• Google TagManager experience
• AWS Certification