Job Title: Principal Engineer (Modernisation & Microservices Approach)

Overview

We’re looking for a highly skilled Principal Engineer to drive the modernisation and re-architecture of core backend systems.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in complex environments, can break down monoliths into scalable microservices, and influences teams to adopt stronger engineering standards and practices.

The ideal candidate can work across system architecture and hands-on development—creating frameworks, patterns, code standards, and driving operational excellence.

Minimum Requirements

• 10+ years of solid software engineering experience, with a strong backend focus

• Proven experience re-architecting monolithic systems into scalable, modular microservices

• Strong experience designing and building simplified solutions for complex technical problems

• Demonstrated ability to influence and drive adoption of best practices across multiple teams

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to backend architecture modernisation initiatives

• Design and implement modular microservices, ensuring scalability, resilience, and maintainability

• Drive engineering consistency across teams (patterns, tooling, templates, standards)

• Build and standardise reusable SDKs and platform components (e.g. NATS Streaming client SDKs, ETCD integration patterns)

• Define and maintain standard microservice templates, guardrails, and engineering playbooks

• Collaborate closely with engineers, tech leads, and product teams to align delivery with business outcomes across different teams

• Promote high-quality delivery through strong design, code reviews, testing, and operational readiness

• Innovation & Research: Identify and recommend new technologies, tools, and methodologies to improve efficiency and maintain competitive advantage

Technical Skills (Preferred)

• Development in any modern language, preferably Go

• Microservices architecture, REST APIs, asynchronous messaging, and event-driven patterns

• Building internal developer platforms: templates, shared libraries, SDKs

• Distributed systems concepts and operational maturity (observability, performance, reliability)

Location

23 Trinity Close, Paulshof, Johannesburg, 2191