Technical Lead (PHP & Node.JS) (On-site Somerset West)

ENVIRONMENT

A well‑established yet fast‑growing software company serving the South African property management market is looking for a hands‑on Technical Lead who excels in both coding and architecture while also inspiring and mentoring a team. In this pivotal role, you’ll guide the development team to deliver high‑quality code, build scalable and maintainable architecture, and continuously improve engineering processes. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment and is equally passionate about technology and team leadership. To succeed, you’ll need 7+ years of software development experience, including at least 2 years in a technical leadership role, with strong proficiency in PHP and Node.js, a solid background in SaaS and microservices architectures, and deep familiarity with the AWS cloud platform.

DUTIES

Technical Leadership

• Lead a team of developers, ensuring best practices in software development, architecture, and deployment, especially on back‑end of system

Hands-on Development

• Write high‑quality, scalable, and maintainable code, when necessary, particularly for complex or high‑impact features

Architecture & Design

• Define and oversee the system architecture, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure, and efficient

Mentorship & Team Development

• Guide and mentor junior and mid‑level developers, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement

Code Review & Quality Assurance

• Conduct code reviews, enforce coding standards, and ensure software quality through testing strategies

Agile Development

• Participate in agile processes, including sprint planning, stand‑ups, and retrospectives
• Provide suggestions to improve processes

Collaboration

• Work closely with product managers, product owners, scrum masters, UX designers, solution architects, and other stakeholders to translate business requirements into technical solutions

Tech Stack & Innovation

• Stay up to date with new technologies, suggesting and implementing improvements where applicable

REQUIREMENTS

• 7+ years of experience in software development, with at least 2 years in a technical leadership role
• Proficiency in PHP, NodeJS
• Strong experience with SaaS architectures, microservices, and the AWS cloud platform
• Expertise in database design (SQL & NoSQL) and API development
• Solid understanding of DevOps practices, CI / CD pipelines, and infrastructure as code
• Experience leading code reviews, mentoring software developers, and setting and maintaining coding standards
• Ability to balance technical leadership with hands‑on coding
• Experience with containerisation e.g. Docker
• Knowledge of front‑end frameworks (React, Vue.js, or Angular)
• Prior experience in a SaaS environment

ATTRIBUTES

• Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to work in a fast‑paced environment
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written
• Strong people management skills