351 Principal Engineer jobs in South Africa

SPAN Digital is a growing premium software product and consulting services company headquartered in San Francisco, California, with additional development offices in Cape Town, South Africa, and Guadalajara, Mexico. We have experience in a broad range of industries but are keenly focused on the technology, entertainment, and healthcare sectors. We strategize, design, and develop software solutions for our clients and customers from startups to global brands. We help engineering teams successfully overcome the challenges caused by the accelerating pace of change in software development, allowing them to build better digital solutions.

Our Services Teams work side-by-side with our client’s engineering teams to develop prototypes, proof-of-concepts, production services, and major product enhancements.

Our Product Teams leverage our unique vantage point to develop category-defining products that enable our customers’ teams to significantly outperform the competition.

We are currently looking for a Principal Engineer , based in Cape Town, to join our engineering discipline and play a key leadership role in building our capabilities. In addition, this role will be responsible for the technical leadership of one or more of our premier client engagements and drive the successful execution of our software development projects.

As a Principal Engineer at SPAN, your role encompasses a high level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in your work. You would be expected to work under broad direction, often initiating and leading activities. Your responsibilities would include:

1. Analyzing, designing, planning, executing, and evaluating work to time, cost, and quality targets.
2. Establishing milestones and playing a significant role in the assignment of tasks and responsibilities.
3. Leading the definition of goals and objectives for each initiative.
4. Ensuring we deliver business outcomes within budget while maintaining and improving quality.
5. Engaging clients and other engineers as an all-round problem solver.

Principal Engineers can integrate lessons learned and experience gained from their many years of practice into the problems they solve every day. They are seasoned professionals capable of scoping and designing entire systems, tackling complex technical problems, troubleshooting issues, and proposing effective solutions.

Principal Engineers are responsible for mentoring engineering staff and providing on-the-job training. They are expected to contribute to and drive the development of the engineering community at SPAN.

Principal Engineers are experienced at engaging clients and customers, leading the scoping and design discussions, and acting as a trusted advisor. They collaborate with other teams such as product management, design, and operations to ensure alignment and successful delivery of projects. Effective communication skills are crucial for conveying technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Principal Engineers have experience in all aspects of the product development lifecycle, from inception through design, development, testing, deployment, and support. They are responsible for designing and architecting complex systems or components, considering scalability, performance, security, and other factors.

Principal Engineers provide leadership by taking responsibility for the technical aspects of major projects or products and overseeing the tasks of our engineers.

Principal Engineers thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, often assigned to multiple projects, and are responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives within the engineering organization.

Our full-stack polyglots are experienced in a combination of:

• TypeScript, NodeJs, ReactJs, and additional mainstream JS frameworks
• Python, Go, Java, Scala, C#
• PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Cassandra, Redis
• Kafka, RabbitMQ, Elasticsearch, and whatever else is required to satisfy our customers

• Facilitate and lead solution and system architecture and design sessions
• Help our clients define their needs, goals and objectives
• Become a strategic advisor to clients and customers
• Foster trusting and collaborative relationships with our clients and customers
• Define development best practices and ensure they are followed
• Mentor engineering staff and help them execute their growth plans

• You are allergic to hierarchical, bureaucratic cultures
• You want to work with very smart people from different backgrounds
• You are a voracious learner & an eager teacher of others
• You want to be led from the front, not commanded from the rear
• You don't tolerate intra-office posturing or other negative behaviors
• You want to work on a broader array of interesting, challenging projects

• Flexible and generous work & leave schedule
• Hybrid-remote working model
• Learning organization based on a reverence for expertise & craftsmanship
• Friday catered lunches, on-site haircuts, pet-friendly workplace
• Charitable community initiatives, employee awards, and recognition
• MacBook Pro and home office allowance

Our client, a proudly South African manufacturing company, is looking for a Principal Engineer who will be responsible for the research, development, and design of products and engineering projects, and the management of a team of engineers to ensure the products or project developments are completed successfully on time, with expected quality, within budget and to customer specifications.

Key Performance Areas:

• Oversee the design & development of products & processes
• Set, analyse, & report on development targets in the form of development, time, & budget
• Ensure compliance to all legal & statutory requirements
• Manage projects & resources within the team
• Create conceptual designs & presentations
• Design & develop new products using 3D & 2D CAE
• Ensure all required testing is completed correctly, analyse the results, & advise on any engineering countermeasure if required
• Research & analyse different materials, manufacturing processes, development processes, design tolerances, & other factors in the development & manufacturing process
• Maintain existing & develop new customer relationships during the development process & beyond
• Manage the CAPEX application & implementation of any specific tooling required for a product or process
• Comply with requirements of the Quality Management Systems

Requirements:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering (BTech Eng)
• 5 years' experience within the automotive industry in product development or similar senior role
• Familiar with quality systems such as ISO 9001 & IATF 16949
• Time management to deliver projects on-time

Our client, a proudly South African manufacturing company, is looking for a Principal Engineer who will be responsible for the research, development, and design of products and engineering projects, and the management of a team of engineers to ensure the products or project developments are completed successfully on time, with expected quality, within budget and to customer specifications.

Key Performance Areas:

• Oversee the design & development of products & processes
• Set, analyse, & report on development targets in the form of development, time, & budget
• Ensure compliance to all legal & statutory requirements
• Manage projects & resources within the team
• Create conceptual designs & presentations
• Design & develop new products using 3D & 2D CAE
• Ensure all required testing is completed correctly, analyse the results, & advise on any engineering countermeasure if required
• Research & analyse different materials, manufacturing processes, development processes, design tolerances, & other factors in the development & manufacturing process
• Maintain existing & develop new customer relationships during the development process & beyond
• Manage the CAPEX application & implementation of any specific tooling required for a product or process
• Comply with requirements of the Quality Management Systems

Requirements:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering (BTech Eng)
• 5 years' experience within the automotive industry in product development or similar senior role
• Familiar with quality systems such as ISO 9001 & IATF 16949
• Time management to deliver projects on-time

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SPAN Digital is a growing premium software product and consulting services company headquartered in San Francisco, California, with additional development offices in Cape Town, South Africa, and Guadalajara, Mexico. We have experience in a broad range of industries but are keenly focused on the technology, entertainment, and healthcare sectors. We strategize, design, and develop software solutions for our clients and customers from startups to global brands. We help engineering teams successfully overcome the challenges caused by the accelerating pace of change in software development, allowing them to build better digital solutions.

Our Services Teams work side-by-side with our client’s engineering teams to develop prototypes, proof-of-concepts, production services, and major product enhancements.

Our Product Teams leverage our unique vantage point to develop category-defining products that enable our customers’ teams to significantly outperform the competition.

We are currently looking for a Principal Engineer, based in Cape Town, to join our engineering discipline and play a key leadership role in building our capabilities. In addition, this role will be responsible for the technical leadership of one or more of our premier client engagements and drive the successful execution of our software development projects.

Role And Responsibilities

As a Principal Engineer at SPAN, your role encompasses a high level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in your work. You would be expected to work under broad direction, often initiating and leading activities. Your responsibilities would include analyzing, designing, planning, executing, and evaluating work to time, cost, and quality targets. You would establish milestones and play a significant role in the assignment of tasks and responsibilities.

Initially leading the definition of goals and objectives for each initiative, then leading the definition of the solution that will deliver the required results. Principal Engineers are responsible for ensuring we deliver business outcomes within budget while maintaining and improving quality. Principal Engineers are all-round, problem solvers, who love to engage clients and other engineers.

Scope of Responsibility

Principal Engineers can integrate lessons learned and experience gained from their many years of practice into the problems they solve every day. They can apply their experience appropriately in a broad set of situations. They are seasoned professionals capable of scoping and designing entire systems. They are able to perform well continuously over an extended period of time and show improvement. They are expected to be able to tackle complex technical problems, troubleshoot issues, and propose effective solutions. This may involve analyzing system performance, diagnosing bugs, or resolving production incidents.

Growing Engineers and the Engineering Discipline

Principal Engineers are responsible for mentoring engineering staff and providing on the job training. They are expected to contribute to and drive the development of the engineering community at SPAN.

Engaging Stakeholders

Principal Engineers are experienced at engaging clients and customers. They are able to lead the scoping and design discussions and arrive at satisfactory solutions. Principals are able to explain risks and trade-offs and act as a trusted advisor to clients and customers. They collaborate with other teams such as product management, design, and operations to ensure alignment and successful delivery of projects. Effective communication skills are crucial for conveying technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Technical Mastery

Principal Engineers have experience in all aspects of the product development lifecycle, from inception through design, development, testing, deployment, and support. They can demonstrate working knowledge of a broad range of technical areas and deep expertise in a few. They have excellent problem analysis and solving skills with the ability to innovate and abstract detail into larger patterns and systems. They are responsible for designing and architecting complex systems or components. This involves understanding requirements, considering scalability, performance, security, and other factors, and creating solutions that meet these needs. They may conduct research and experiments to evaluate new tools or approaches that could benefit the organization.

Leadership

Principal Engineers provide leadership by taking responsibility for the technical aspects of major projects or products. They are responsible for overseeing the tasks of our engineers. This oversight involves planning, architecture and design, estimation, resource management, issue resolution and quality assurance.

Tolerance of Continuous change

Principal Engineers thrive in an environment characterized by its fast pace and its high level of collaboration. Principal engineers are typically assigned to multiple projects, and are constantly thinking of the business, and looking for new opportunities within the accounts they look after. They are often responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives within the engineering organization. This may involve identifying areas for optimization, implementing process improvements, and fostering a culture of innovation and learning. It is required of the Principal Engineer to work remotely with developers in different organizations, as such, adapting to different methodologies and technologies is essential.

Technologies

Our full-stack polyglots are experienced in a combination of:

• TypeScript, NodeJs, ReactJs, and additional mainstream JS frameworks
• Python, Go, Java, Scala, C#
• PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Cassandra, Redis
• Kafka, RabbitMQ, Elasticsearch, and whatever else is required to satisfy our customers
  
  

• Facilitate and lead solution and system architecture and design sessions
• Help our clients define their needs, goals and objectives
• Factor an understanding of our clients and customers needs into our solutions
• Become a strategic advisor to clients and customers
• Foster a trusting and collaborative relationships with our clients and customers
• Work with design and other disciplines to achieve the broad business goals
• Define development best practices and ensure they are followed
• Solve the hardest technical problems or find someone who can.
• Maintain and grow our culture
• Contribute to the development of the engineering discipline
• Remove technology blockers from the team
• Identify cases of bottlenecks and make changes to fix them
• Mentor engineering staff and help them execute their growth plans
• Create effective teams that maximise abilities, growth, collaboration and innovation
• 1:1s with tech team members
• Resolve conflicts in the team
• Attend and contribute in external technical forums
  
  

• You are allergic to hierarchical, bureaucratic, business-card cultures
• You're sad many of the greatest minds in our generation are busy tricking people into clicking on ads
• You want to work with very smart people from different backgrounds
• You are a voracious learner & an eager teacher of others
• You want to be led from the front, not commanded from the rear
• You don't tolerate intra-office posturing or other douchebaggery
• You're excited to work on a broader array of interesting, challenging projects than you can anywhere else
  
  

• Flexible and generous work & leave schedule
• Hybrid-remote working model (the best of both worlds)
• Learning organization based on a reverence for expertise & craftsmanship (Meetups, Conferences, Lunch & Learning Fridays, TechRadar Sessions, journals, e-Learning)
• Friday catered lunches, on-site haircuts, pet-friendly workplace, ping pong (a home away from home)
• Charitable community initiatives, employee awards, and recognition
• MacBook Pro and home office allowance (to ensure you have all the tools you need and want to make you effective)

• Seniority level Mid-Senior level

• Employment type Full-time

• Industries Software Development

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• Develop concepts, prototypes, designs, and drawings of automotive accessories for manufacture
• Create and test new product designs and formulate manufacturing specifications
• Conduct product research including identifying needs and goals for new products, from functional design to aesthetics requirements
• Create designs using CAD 3D software and fabricate models that can be tested
• Use software for FEA analysis
• Research and analyse different materials, manufacturing processes, design tolerances, etc in the developmental process
• Conduct testing using both internal and external resources to meet customer specific requirements
• Refine and review designs
• Deliver specifications and procedures to the Manufacturing team so that products can be successfully manufactured
• Meet all strategic goals and satisfy customer requirements
• Manage the Design Project team to achieve project objectives, milestones, and timeframes
• Hand over products, processes and documentation to Production communicating all critical characteristics and quality information appropriately
• New product development that meets customer specifications and complies with internal and external systems requirements
• Process Engineering
• Project Management
• Ensure compliance with safety, health, and environmental management programme (ISO14001)
• Ensure compliance with SHE legislation as stipulated in the OSHA Act
• Facilitate improvement programs to continually improve upon identified risks
• Implement and maintain robust 5S systems
• Manage and implement QMS
• Ensure that employees are aware of Quality Targets and Objectives
• Comply with ISO Quality System
• Ensure conformance to the ISO 9001 standards
• Develop and implement product development procedures, protocols, work instructions, etc
• Manage relationships with customers
• Identify and make recommendations for improvements
• Identify opportunities for improvements with suppliers
• Provide input into budget processes for CAPEX spend for the Development team
• Initiate requests for CAPEX, Disposals, and Transfers
• Promote good Corporate Governance

• Diploma / Degree: Mechanical Engineering
• Knowledge and experience of IATF core tools
• Manufacturing process knowledge (CNC Tube & Plate, Bending, Laser Cutting, Robotics (Welding, Plasma Cutting, Polishing)

By applying for this position, you consent in terms of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI Act) to your personal information being obtained, utilised and stored by the Company through inter alia, reference checks, credit checks and trace reports.

Should you not hear from us within 7 days, please consider your application unsuccessful.

• HR Services, Recruitment & Selection

• 10+ years in software engineering, with senior/lead experience
• Proven architecture & system design expertise
• Strong leadership and mentoring background
• Broad tech exposure with deep expertise in a few areas

• Lead technical design, planning, and delivery across projects
• Engage with clients, run scoping sessions, and align delivery with business goals
• Experienced in the full product lifecycle: Design, build, test, deploy, and support
• Versatile across modern stacks (mainly Python Go, Java, etc.)
• Solve complex engineering problems and remove blockers
• Communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders

• Define and deliver scalable, elegant technical solutions
• Mentor and guide engineering teams to success
• Drive architectural direction and technical strategy
• Collaborate with clients, product, and design teams
• Improve engineering practices and foster innovation
• Contribute to the growth of their world-class engineering discipline

• Flat structure No egos and no bureaucracy
• Pet-friendly office, ping pong table, and even on-site haircuts
• Strong learning culture Conferences, tech sessions, and journals
• MacBook Pro, home office allowance, and flexible leave
• Global teams, meaningful products, and lots of room to grow

An exciting opportunity for an experienced Principal Engineer to lead major water and sanitation infrastructure projects. Youll bring a solid civil engineering background with professional registration (Pr Eng or Pr Tech Eng) and over a decade of consulting expertise. A Masters degree will be a strong advantage. In-depth knowledge of NEC, FIDIC, and GCC contracts is essential. This role demands a leader with technical mastery and excellent people skills. Ready to travel across Africa? This could be your next challenge.

Please note that if you do not receive a response within one week of applying, your application has been unsuccessful.

JOB PURPOSE STATEMENT

The Principal Engineer plays a pivotal role in providing technical leadership and guidance to ensure the alignment of strategies and services with the objectives of our customers, the company, and regulatory standards. This position is charged with the responsibility of overseeing high-impact, complex, time-sensitive, or critical challenges and orchestrating cross-departmental collaboration and execution to achieve successful outcomes.

As a Principal Engineer, you are entrusted with leading the development of innovative technical methods, techniques, and strategies in line with our business plans. Your industry-recognised expertise positions you as a mentor and influencer, offering guidance and knowledge transfer to technical staff within your specialised discipline.

KEY DELIVERABLES:

Duties:

- Provide expert service delivery to clients- Lead by example with administrative tasks such as ensuring logs are up to date and time is accounted for in systems as per the company policy- Oversee and manage the design, development, and implementation of technical solutions- Analyse technical challenges and develop solutions- Research and recommend new technologies, processes, and procedures- Proactively identifies opportunities to reuse or generalise existing services and product features- Exposes technology and organisational needs throughout the field.- Solves technical problems of the highest scope, complexity, and ambiguity for their customers and peers.- Interfaces with Senior Management and enables techs to engage on department-level aspects of larger initiatives- Looks for innovation opportunities between several teams- Proposes initial technical implementation to support architectural changes- Ensures company-wide goals are aligned across the technical team- Provides a point of escalation for complex technical challenges- Attain a measurable impact on the work of the technical team- Interact with customers and other external stakeholders- Exposes the work of the technical team and their business impact internally- Knowledgeable in all specialties practiced within the company- Provides clear and effective guidance for technical approaches to accomplish certification of designs by employing methodologies that bring the greatest overall value to the company- Provides technical review and approval of technical designs, especially those that are of high risk or new technology- Establishes and maintains relationships with essential internal and external technical experts to ensure technical expertise is available and program requirements are being achieved- Develop and maintain disaster recovery and business continuity plans.- Be aware of scope creep and ensure that work effort is aligned with quotes and services- Be an escalation point for senior engineers (L4)

- Monitor and assess the performance of the technical team and provide feedback to Senior Management for growth and learning opportunities- Teach, mentor, grow, and provide advice and guidance to engineers and service staff- Provide technical leadership and mentoring of technical staff- Partner with management and HR to assist in recruiting, hiring, training, and employee performance evaluations- Assist with identifying new and existing talent to be introduced to the business

- Lead and manage technical projects from conception to completion as and when required- Align with the business technical methods, approaches, and products that meet the solution requirement- Take a leading role in projects that require thought leadership and guidance- Ensure we are on track regarding project tasks, providing assistance where required to project managers- Provides input and guidance during all phases of programs to solve challenging technical issues- Strive to meet project milestones on time in accordance with the project plan

- Conduct reviews and audits of clients to ensure compliance with technical standards and client requirements- Collaborate with internal teams to address any discrepancies or issues identified during the audit process- Provide technical input and guidance to rectify audit findings and ensure client satisfaction- Ensure customer technical documentation is up to date at all times and is accurate

- Maintain architect level certifications in products and vendors that align with the organisation’s vision.- Actively grow your leadership and management skillset- Continuous development of leadership and management skills through various training interventions both through the company and personally.

- Work closely with pre-sales department and sales department ensuring constant alignment- Communicate effectively via company communication tools (WhatsApp, Teams, CRM, Service Desk)- Lead by example always- Work with engineers to help them achieve their work targets- Ensure that you are in the office 3 days a week to assist the team and lead by example.- Be generous with your after-hours time to help your colleagues develop and learn from you- We are aware of and manage your stress levels to ensure you have a composed and calm demeanor always- Have a constant improvement mindset

- Achieve your billable hours-based targets- Account for 100% of your time at the service desk- Ensure administration is always up to date in systems- Respond to work communications quickly and effectively- Have a “get it done now” attitude- Ensure sufficient diligence prior to escalation to management- Ensure matters that are escalated are done so timeously- Take accountability and responsibility for your role and duties

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in engineering or a related field
• Proven experience in progressively responsible technical roles, including leadership positions
• Senior experience in system design, architecture, and implementation
• Proven track record of successful project management
• Strong technical and analytical skills
• Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Able to work as part of a team and independently
• Knowledge of best practices and secure design principles
• Able to work effectively in stressful situations
• Open minded to personal growth and development
• A “can do now” mindset

SPAN Digital is a growing premium software product and consulting services company headquartered in San Francisco, California, with additional development offices in Cape Town, South Africa, and Guadalajara, Mexico. We have experience in a broad range of industries but are keenly focused on the technology, entertainment, and healthcare sectors. We strategize, design, and develop software solutions for our clients and customers from startups to global brands. We help engineering teams successfully overcome the challenges caused by the accelerating pace of change in software development, allowing them to build better digital solutions.

Our Services Teams work side-by-side with our client’s engineering teams to develop prototypes, proof-of-concepts, production services, and major product enhancements.

Our Product Teams leverage our unique vantage point to develop category-defining products that enable our customers’ teams to significantly outperform the competition.

We are currently looking for a Principal Engineer , based in Cape Town, to join our engineering discipline and play a key leadership role in building our capabilities. In addition, this role will be responsible for the technical leadership of one or more of our premier client engagements and drive the successful execution of our software development projects.

As a Principal Engineer at SPAN, your role encompasses a high level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in your work. You would be expected to work under broad direction, often initiating and leading activities. Your responsibilities would include:

1. Analyzing, designing, planning, executing, and evaluating work to time, cost, and quality targets.
2. Establishing milestones and playing a significant role in the assignment of tasks and responsibilities.
3. Leading the definition of goals and objectives for each initiative.
4. Ensuring we deliver business outcomes within budget while maintaining and improving quality.
5. Engaging clients and other engineers as an all-round problem solver.

Principal Engineers can integrate lessons learned and experience gained from their many years of practice into the problems they solve every day. They are seasoned professionals capable of scoping and designing entire systems, tackling complex technical problems, troubleshooting issues, and proposing effective solutions.

Principal Engineers are responsible for mentoring engineering staff and providing on-the-job training. They are expected to contribute to and drive the development of the engineering community at SPAN.

Principal Engineers are experienced at engaging clients and customers, leading the scoping and design discussions, and acting as a trusted advisor. They collaborate with other teams such as product management, design, and operations to ensure alignment and successful delivery of projects. Effective communication skills are crucial for conveying technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Principal Engineers have experience in all aspects of the product development lifecycle, from inception through design, development, testing, deployment, and support. They are responsible for designing and architecting complex systems or components, considering scalability, performance, security, and other factors.

Principal Engineers provide leadership by taking responsibility for the technical aspects of major projects or products and overseeing the tasks of our engineers.

Principal Engineers thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, often assigned to multiple projects, and are responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives within the engineering organization.

Our full-stack polyglots are experienced in a combination of:

• TypeScript, NodeJs, ReactJs, and additional mainstream JS frameworks
• Python, Go, Java, Scala, C#
• PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Cassandra, Redis
• Kafka, RabbitMQ, Elasticsearch, and whatever else is required to satisfy our customers

• Facilitate and lead solution and system architecture and design sessions
• Help our clients define their needs, goals and objectives
• Become a strategic advisor to clients and customers
• Foster trusting and collaborative relationships with our clients and customers
• Define development best practices and ensure they are followed
• Mentor engineering staff and help them execute their growth plans

• You are allergic to hierarchical, bureaucratic cultures
• You want to work with very smart people from different backgrounds
• You are a voracious learner & an eager teacher of others
• You want to be led from the front, not commanded from the rear
• You don't tolerate intra-office posturing or other negative behaviors
• You want to work on a broader array of interesting, challenging projects

• Flexible and generous work & leave schedule
• Hybrid-remote working model
• Learning organization based on a reverence for expertise & craftsmanship
• Friday catered lunches, on-site haircuts, pet-friendly workplace
• Charitable community initiatives, employee awards, and recognition
• MacBook Pro and home office allowance