Solution Architect (Cloud & Software Engineering) - Cape Town

Introduction

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Solution Architect to join our team. Operating within a fully cloud-native environment, the successful candidate will be responsible for designing, building, and overseeing the implementation of complex, scalable cloud-based solutions that align with organisational goals. This is a hands-on technical leadership role that combines software development expertise with cloud architecture, requiring a seasoned professional who can bridge the gap between business strategy and technical execution, with the ability to engage confidently at C-suite level.

Hybrid Working Arrangement: This role operates on a hybrid working model, requiring a minimum of 3 days per week on-site, with flexibility to work remotely for the remaining days. On-site presence may be required for key stakeholder engagements, project milestones, and executive meetings.

Reports To: Chief Technology Officer / Chief Information Officer

Hybrid Working Arrangement: This role operates on a hybrid working model, requiring a minimum of 3 days per week on-site, with flexibility to work remotely for the remaining days. On-site presence may be required for key stakeholder engagements, project milestones, and executive meetings.

Description

• Design and develop end-to-end cloud-native solutions across AWS and Azure environments

• Write, review, and contribute to production-quality code across relevant technology stacks

• Serve as the primary technical advisor to executive leadership, translating business needs into actionable cloud and technology roadmaps

• Lead technical discovery workshops and stakeholder engagements across business units

• Evaluate and recommend cloud services, platforms, frameworks, and vendors aligned to strategic objectives

• Ensure all solution designs and developed software adhere to cloud security, compliance, and governance standards

• Oversee the full software development lifecycle (SDLC) from design through to cloud deployment and maintenance

• Champion cloud best practices including scalability, high availability, cost optimisation, and security

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior architects, developers, and engineering staff

• Stay abreast of emerging trends in software development, cloud computing, and AI/ML innovation

• Collaborate effectively across remote and on-site teams within the hybrid working environment

Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field

• Postgraduate qualification or relevant professional certifications advantageous

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Associate or Professional level) strongly preferred

• Microsoft Azure certification (Azure Solutions Architect Expert or equivalent) strongly preferred

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a solution architecture or senior technical leadership role

• Demonstrated experience engaging with C-suite and executive stakeholders

Software Development

• Proficiency in one or more programming languages, including:

• Python, Java, C#, Node.js, or Go for backend development

• JavaScript / TypeScript for frontend or full-stack development

• SQL and NoSQL database development (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, DynamoDB, Cosmos DB)

• Strong experience with software architecture patterns including microservices, event-driven architecture, RESTful APIs, and GraphQL

• Experience with full software development lifecycle (SDLC) including requirements, design, development, testing, cloud deployment, and maintenance

• Proficiency with version control systems (Git), code review practices, and collaborative development workflows

• Experience with automated testing frameworks and quality assurance practices

• Familiarity with DevOps practices, containerisation (Docker/Kubernetes), and CI/CD pipelines within AWS and Azure environments

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

• Proven, hands-on experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS), including:

• Cloud architecture design, deployment, and optimisation

• Core services: EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda, VPC, IAM, and CloudFormation

• AWS Well-Architected Framework principles

• AI/ML services: SageMaker, Rekognition, Comprehend, Bedrock, and Lex

Microsoft Azure

• Proven, hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure, including:

• Azure cloud architecture design, deployment, and governance

• Core services: Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Blob Storage, Azure SQL, Azure Functions, Azure Virtual Network, and Azure Active Directory

• Azure Well-Architected Framework principles

• AI/ML services: Azure Machine Learning, Azure OpenAI Service, Azure Cognitive Services, and Azure Bot Services

• Experience designing and managing multi-cloud environments spanning AWS and Azure

• Strong understanding of cloud security, identity and access management, cost governance, and compliance

• Knowledge of cloud architecture frameworks such as TOGAF, Zachman, or the Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF)

• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively within a hybrid working model

Cloud Certifications (preferred)

• Amazon Web Services (AWS)

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional

Microsoft Azure

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate

Competencies

• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills

• Ability to articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical and executive audiences

• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability

• Hands-on development mindset combined with strategic cloud architecture thinking

• Leadership and the capacity to drive consensus across diverse and distributed teams

• Commercial mindset with the ability to align cloud strategy and software delivery to business outcomes

• Self-motivated and disciplined, with the ability to manage deliverables effectively in a hybrid environment

Advantageous

• Experience working within government or public sector cloud environments

• Exposure to African market technology landscapes

• AWS Advanced Partner and/or Microsoft Azure Partner ecosystem experience

• Contributions to open-source software projects or published technical work

• Knowledge of B-BBEE compliance considerations in technology procurement