Senior Principal Software Engineer
First seen by Alion on Oct 30, 2026.
SUMMARY:
Are you a senior data platform engineer who thrives on building reliable, scalable cloud-based data solutions? This is an opportunity to take ownership of a mission-critical data platform, influence engineering standards, mentor developers, and drive the accuracy and availability of data that powers business operations.
POSITION INFO:
Our client, a leading organisation in the telecommunications and connectivity sector, is looking for a Senior \/ Principal Software Engineer - Data Platform to take ownership of a business-critical cloud data platform. This role offers the opportunity to lead the architecture, reliability, security, and performance of a PostgreSQL-based data warehouse, cloud-native data loading processes, and API services that support multiple operational systems. Working closely with cross-functional stakeholders across technology, finance, operations, and network teams, you will ensure that data remains accurate, secure, and available while driving best practice engineering standards across multiple codebases. This is an ideal opportunity for a seasoned software engineer who enjoys a blend of hands-on technical leadership, platform ownership, cloud engineering, and mentorship. The role is based in Rosebank, Johannesburg, with a hybrid working model and occasional travel requirements. Key Responsibilities: Own and maintain a cloud-based PostgreSQL data warehouse supporting customer, revenue, operational, and field service data. Design, manage, and optimise scheduled data ingestion and integration processes running within Google Cloud environments. Develop, review, and maintain API services, data-loading applications, and integration solutions using Node.js, Python, and SQL. Ensure platform security through effective access management, secret management, environment controls, and secure cloud practices. Drive platform reliability through monitoring, logging, incident management, health checks, and well-maintained runbooks. Establish engineering standards, conduct design and code reviews, and promote automated testing and deployment best practices. Mentor and coach developers while fostering engineering excellence across the team. Collaborate with business and technical stakeholders to ensure data integrity and timely communication of platform changes and incidents. Job Experience and Skills Required: Matric (Grade 12) is required. Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or equivalent practical experience. Minimum 8 years' experience as a professional Software Engineer. Minimum 3 years' experience owning and supporting a live data platform, integration layer, or similar production-critical services. Strong experience with JavaScript\/Node.js, Python, and SQL. Advanced PostgreSQL experience, including upserts, views, user permissions, SSL, paging, and data loading methodologies. Proven experience with Google Cloud technologies, including Cloud SQL, Cloud Run, Cloud Scheduler, Secret Manager, IAM, and Firebase Authentication. Experience working with Microsoft Graph integrations and cloud-based data ingestion solutions. Solid experience with Git\/GitHub, automated testing frameworks, CI\/CD practices, and multi-environment deployments. Experience coaching developers, setting engineering standards, and leading technical decision-making across multiple systems. Exposure to telecommunications, ISP billing, OSS\/BSS platforms, fibre operations, or high-volume operational data environments will be advantageous. Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect or Professional Data Engineer certification would be beneficial. Apply now! For more exciting vacancies, please visit: \/> I also specialise in recruiting in the following: Software Developers (Back-End \/ Front-End \/ Full Stack) Mobile Developers Business & Systems Analysts BI & SQL Experts UI \/ UX Professionals Data & Analytics (Data Scientists, Data Analysts, Python, R, SQL, Machine Learning) AI & Automation (Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Intelligent Automation, and Process Automation Solutions) Cloud Experts Infrastructure Specialists DevOps \/ SecOps Experts Cyber Security Specialists SEO \/ Digital Designers If you have not had any response in two weeks, please consider the vacancy application unsuccessful. Your profile will be kept on our database for any other suitable roles \/ positions. For more information, contact: Frankie Deppe Specialist Recruitment Consultant Connect with me on LinkedIn!