What the job is: This job is for a Principal Engineer who will be the main technical leader for a software platform in a financial services company based in Sandton, Johannesburg. You will work four days a week in the Sandton office and one day remotely. The role is permanent and full-time, focusing on guiding the technical direction of the platform and ensuring all teams work together effectively.

What you will do: You will be responsible for setting the technical standards and architecture for the entire team, making sure everyone follows the same best practices and patterns. You will decide which technologies and tools the team uses, and when to update or change them, while ensuring these decisions are followed. Your job includes planning how the platform will grow over time, making sure all teams stay aligned technically, and reviewing big design choices made by team leaders.

You will also promote high-quality development practices like test-driven development and code reviews, ensuring the team produces work they can be proud of. As a trusted advisor to the Head of Tech, you will help turn business goals into strong technical solutions. Additionally, you will guide the team on using AI tools effectively to improve how they build and deliver software.

What you need: You should have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field. At least 8 years of experience in software development is required, with at least 5 years of hands-on experience using Java in real-world environments. You must have experience leading technical decisions across multiple teams, reviewing designs, and defending technical choices under pressure.

Experience with building and maintaining CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and deployment workflows on GitHub is essential. You should also have practical experience with test-driven development and modern engineering practices. Bonus points if you have experience with Salesforce/Apex, Salesforce certifications, penetration testing, front-end development, or designing RESTful APIs at scale.

What you will get: This is a full-time, permanent position with a focus on technical leadership and growth. While salary details are not provided, the role offers the chance to shape the future of a financial services platform, work closely with senior leadership, and influence how technology is used in the business. The hybrid work arrangement (4 days in Sandton office) provides flexibility while maintaining collaboration opportunities.