Head of Engineering; Java Python environment Melrose Arch | R1.PA Job Johannesburg area,South Africa,Software Development

Position: Head of Engineering (Java Python environment) | Melrose Arch | Up to R1.6M PA

Head of Engineering (Java Python environment) | Melrose Arch | Up to R1.6M PA
BUILD THE TEAM. SHAPE THE TECHNOLOGY. DRIVE WHAT COMES NEXT.

Some engineering leadership roles are about keeping the lights on.

This one is about building what’s next
.

We’re looking for a Head of Engineering who can combine strong technical depth with entrepreneurial thinking, lead talented engineers and help shape the technology behind a growing, global business.

This is an environment where innovation, ownership and big ideas are encouraged
. You’ll have the opportunity to influence architecture, engineering practices, delivery and people while working alongside ambitious teams solving complex business problems.

WHY THIS ENVIRONMENT IS DIFFERENT:

This is a technology driven business operating in a genuinely global environment.

Technology sits at the heart of the operation, with platforms designed to automate complex processes, connect systems and deliver smarter, more efficient solutions at scale.

You’ll be joining a culture that values:

It’s an environment where people are encouraged to challenge the status quo, take responsibility and make an impact rather than simply follow a checklist.

THE TECHNOLOGY:

You’ll work across a modern enterprise technology landscape including:

There is also a strong focus on building secure, scalable and maintainable technology that can support a complex international business.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:

Set the technical direction and engineering standards across development teams.
Lead architectural decisions and challenge existing approaches where there is an opportunity to improve.
Build and maintain a high performing engineering culture.
Mentor, coach and develop engineers while giving them the autonomy to grow.
Improve software delivery, automation and CI/CD practices.
Champion quality, clean code, testing and maintainable architecture.
Work closely with product, architecture, security and business leadership.
Identify technical opportunities that can improve efficiency, scalability and customer value.
Balance technical ambition with practical commercial priorities.
Drive the adoption of modern engineering approaches, including AI assisted development
.
Help create an environment where engineers are encouraged to experiment, learn and solve problems creatively.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING:

8+ years of professional software development experience.
5+ years of hands on Java development experience.
Proven experience leading technical teams and influencing architecture.
Strong understanding of scalable software architecture and engineering best practices.
Experience building and improving CI/CD and deployment pipelines.
A genuine track record of mentoring and developing technical talent.
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
The ability to operate strategically without losing your technical edge.
A mindset that combines technical excellence with commercial and entrepreneurial thinking
.

WHAT WILL SET YOU APART:

Experience with:

Salesforce and Apex
Enterprise API and integration architecture
Security engineering or penetration testing
Agile/Scrum leadership
Salesforce Platform Developer I or higher certifications
Application Architect, System Architect or Technical Architect certifications
AI coding assistants and modern AI driven engineering workflows

THE LEADER WE’R E LOOKING FOR:

You’re not someone who wants to spend the next five years simply managing a development team.

You want to build something
.

You’re comfortable making decisions, taking ownership and giving talented people the…