Level 1 Architect – Distributed Systems

About the role

We are seeking a Level 1 Architect to join our advanced Architecture function in Cape Town. The role involves designing end‑to‑end software architectures for multi‑system initiatives, guiding engineering teams, and ensuring solutions are scalable, resilient and compliant.

Key responsibilities

• Analyse business requirements and technical risks to define architectural direction.
• Create end‑to‑end designs, ADRs, integration diagrams and delivery strategies.
• Maintain architectural decision records and review designs, APIs and code for quality.
• Provide consulting to engineering teams, coordinate multi‑team planning and resolve cross‑system dependencies.
• Research emerging technologies, prototype solutions and drive architectural improvements.
• Troubleshoot complex production incidents and design preventative solutions.
• Mentor engineers on architectural thinking, design patterns and software quality.
• Collaborate with product, compliance and leadership stakeholders to translate requirements into viable solutions.

Required profile

• 8–10 years of progressive experience in software architecture or engineering.
• Proven experience designing complex distributed systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, IT or a related field.

Required skills

• Distributed systems & cloud‑native architecture
• Kubernetes & containerisation
• API design & integration patterns
• CI/CD, DevOps, SDLC
• Cloud services & infrastructure
• Disaster recovery & resilience engineering
• Network routing & configuration management
• Automation & workflow management
• Architectural analysis, documentation and ADR frameworks
• Machine learning exposure (beneficial)

What we offer

• Salary range R110,000 – R205,000 per month plus benefits.
• On‑premise work schedule (5 days a week) in Cape Town.