Technical Lead Developer

1. JOB OVERVIEW

We are seeking a Developer / Technical Lead (PHP Fullstack, Mobile, AWS) who combines strong technical leadership with hands-on development expertise. You will lead the design, development, and deployment of scalable SaaS solutions while actively contributing code, solving complex architectural problems, and mentoring developers.

This role requires someone with deep experience in cloud-native development, PHP fullstack programming, and mobile application development, alongside a proven ability to manage and scale development teams in fast-paced environments. You will drive end-to-end technical execution while maintaining a hands-on approach, ensuring robust architecture, performance, and agility across our platforms.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

·      
Lead a team of developers in designing, building, and maintaining software systems aligned with the company's product vision.

·       Provide technical guidance, establish coding standards, and ensure best practices are followed across all projects.

·       
Collaborate with product managers, UX designers, and other stakeholders to align technical development with business goals.

·       Write clean, efficient, and well-documented code using PHP (Zend framework, Laminas), Java Script (Ajax), and front-end technologies (Bootstrap ).

·       Lead the development of web and mobile solutions with modern tools and standards with cross platform technologies (Flutter or React Native or Ionic).

·       Develop and integrate RESTful APIs and ensure performance, security, and scalability across systems.

·       Architect and deploy scalable microservices and cloud-based applications on AWS (e.g., EC2, Lambda, RDS, S3, Cognito).

·       Automate infrastructure using tools like Docker, Terraform, cloud formation, and CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions, Jenkins, etc.).

·       Monitor and troubleshoot cloud systems for performance and reliability, implement monitoring tooling.

·       Lead and mentor a growing team of developers across projects.

·       Conduct code reviews, pair programming, and promote best coding and DevOps practices.

·       Experience in upgrading or migrating PHP solutions. (LAMP)

·       Translate complex technical requirements into clear project goals, sprint plans, and architectural decisions.

·       Drive innovation by researching and recommending new tools, frameworks, and cloud services.

·       Own the full development lifecycle: concept, design, build, test, deploy, and monitor.

·       Collaborate closely with UX/UI, Product Owners, and other stakeholders to deliver high-quality features.

·       Implement
daily output reporting and sprint progress tracking
for all developers to ensure transparent accountability and direct alignment with business priorities.

·       Take
ownership of system compliance
with Google, Apple, and AWS standards to proactively prevent non-compliance issues.

·       Oversee
migration planning from the current dev team
, including knowledge transfer, system documentation, and phased replacement strategy.

·       Directly manage
AWS cost optimization
as part of development lifecycle awareness.

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent.

· years in software development, with at least 2 years in a technical leadership role.

·       Proficient in PHP, Zend framework, Laminas, JavaScript, and one or more modern front-end frameworks

·       Proficiency in PHP, NodeJS, JavaScript, and related technologies.

·       Solid expertise with AWS services (EC2, S3, Lambda, RDS, ECS, etc.).

·       Database and analytics design (MySQL, and any well-known analytics tool).

·       Familiarity with containerization and orchestration (Docker or Kubernetes on AWS).

·       AWS certification (e.g., AWS Certified Developer or Solutions Architect) is an advantage.

ronments is a plus.

·       Prior experience in education technology, LMS platforms, or SaaS product environments is desirable.

·       Proven experience in mobile app development using Flutter/React Native or native iOS/Android, with successful app store compliance management.

·       Demonstrated success in leading remote, multicultural development teams, ensuring alignment with OLUMS' needs while migrating away from the current team.

·       Clear examples of implementing sprint management frameworks (Jira, ClickUp, Trello) with tracked KPIs to manage developer productivity.

·       Experience with data security and compliance (POPIA, GDPR) in application development.

·       AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification (CPC), SCRUM certification, or other relevant industry accreditations are required or candidates must be willing to obtain these within 1 month of commencement.

Preferred Skills

·       Strong experience with mobile-application implementation and front-end frameworks , React, Angular).

·       High proficiency in version control systems (Git/GitHub/GitLab).

·       Shared tenancy and dedicated tenancy design.

·       Excellent problem-solving and analytical thinking with clear system and people management.

·       Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

·       Ability to manage priorities under pressure and deliver timely results.

·       Strong people management and leadership skills.

·       Working knowledge of DevOps practices including CI/CD, containerization, and automated testing.

·       Ability to design and implement scalable SaaS and microservice-based architectures.

·       Solid AWS architecture and PHP/Node expertise,

·       Mobile app delivery history,

·       Proactive communication and accountability style.