Technical Lead Developer (Java), Johannesburg

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled Technical Lead (Java) to lead the development of innovative, enterprise-grade applications. This role involves guiding a team of software engineers, establishing coding and quality standards, and ensuring the successful delivery of scalable, maintainable, and high-performance Java-based solutions.

You will collaborate closely with business analysts, Scrum Masters, DevOps, and other stakeholders throughout the full software development lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and mentor a team of software engineers, setting standards for coding, testing, and software quality.
• Conduct code reviews, provide guidance, and encourage knowledge sharing to foster team growth.
• Report on progress, scope, and timelines for project delivery.
• Lead the analysis and resolution of complex technical and application issues.

1. Development & Architecture

• Oversee the design, development, and deployment of applications using Java 8+, Spring, and Spring Boot.
• Build and maintain microservices architectures with modular and reusable components.
• Design and integrate RESTful APIs and event-driven services using Apache Kafka or similar messaging systems.
• Ensure adherence to coding standards, best practices, and secure software development principles.

1. Databases & Cloud

• Work with relational databases such as MS SQL, PostgreSQL and NoSQL databases like MongoDB.
• Implement cloud-native solutions using AWS or Azure services (optional based on project).
• Monitor and optimize applications for performance, scalability, and cost efficiency.

1. Collaboration & Process

• Participate in Agile/Scrum ceremonies including sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives.
• Work closely with product managers, QA engineers, and DevOps teams to ensure high-quality software delivery.
• Promote continuous improvement in Agile processes, DevOps practices, and software engineering standards.

Requirements & Qualifications

Must-Have Skills:

• 7+ years of professional experience in Java development, including 2+ years in a technical leadership role.
• Strong experience with Spring Framework and Spring Boot.
• Hands-on experience with relational (MS SQL, PostgreSQL) and NoSQL (MongoDB) databases.
• Experience with microservices architectures, RESTful APIs, and Apache Kafka.
• Cloud experience with AWS (EC2, Lambda, S3, RDS) or Azure (optional).
• Proficient in unit testing frameworks (JUnit, TestNG, Mockito) and TDD practices.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Highly Desirable Skills:

• Exposure to containerization using Docker and orchestration with Kubernetes / EKS or AKS.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps).
• Knowledge of secure coding practices, performance optimization, and observability tools.
• Experience in event-driven and asynchronous architecture patterns.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree, higher certificate, or diploma in Computer Science, Software Engineering, IT, or a related field.

Additional Information

• Contract Duration: 12 Months (with possibility of renewal)
• Salary: Market Related 
• Location Options: Johannesburg / Cape Town / Remote
• Must be located in South Africa or have a valid work permit for South Africa