Java Developer Team Lead

SUMMARY:
We are looking for an experienced Java Developer Team Lead to drive the development of complex IT platforms within Project Athena. This role blends hands-on coding expertise with leadership responsibilities, giving you the opportunity to oversee end-to-end solution delivery, guide a skilled development team, and collaborate closely with business and IT stakeholders.

POSITION INFO:
Join one of South Africa’s leading insurance innovators, where technology meets strategy to deliver exceptional customer experiences. Be part of a forward-thinking team driving digital transformation in short-term insurance, working on complex, high-impact projects that shape the future of the industry. Here, your expertise in Java development, architecture, and leadership will directly influence business outcomes, while you grow in a collaborative and innovative environment.

You’ll play a pivotal role in architecting, building, and optimising solutions on the IDIT platform - ensuring performance, scalability, and compliance.


Duties:

• Leadership & Mentorship: Guide a team of Java developers, providing technical direction, coaching, and accountability.
• Solution Design & Development: Translate business requirements into scalable technical designs and implement Java-based modules for policy, claims, billing, and customer management.
• Integration & Architecture: Build APIs (REST/SOAP), integrate with external systems, and ensure seamless interoperability across platforms.
• Quality & Governance: Drive code reviews, testing strategies, and CI/CD pipelines to ensure technical excellence.
• Performance & Security: Optimise system performance, troubleshoot complex issues, and implement robust security measures (POPIA, FSCA compliance).
• Collaboration: Partner with business analysts, architects, and product owners to align solutions with business needs.

• Matric (Grade 12)
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.

• 10+ years in Java Enterprise Edition development, with at least 3 years in a leadership/team lead role.
• Strong hands-on experience with Java 11+, Spring Boot, Microservices architecture.
• Proven experience in end-to-end project delivery (UI, SQL data models, business logic).
• Solid understanding of short-term insurance products (advantageous).
• Experience with MSSQL (Oracle/DB2 beneficial).
• Strong knowledge of EJB, SQL, Hibernate, Agile/Scrum, CI/CD pipelines.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Java & Spring Expertise: Strong hands-on experience with Java Enterprise Edition (Java 11+) and Spring Boot.
• Microservices & System Architecture: Proficient in designing scalable, modular, and high-performance systems.
• Database & Integration Skills: Expertise in SQL, Hibernate, and integrating with third-party systems via REST/SOAP APIs.
• Leadership & Team Mentorship: Ability to lead, coach, and develop a high-performing development team.
• Agile & Project Delivery: Experienced in Agile/Scrum methodologies and end-to-end project execution.
• Problem-Solving & Analytical Thinking: Strong troubleshooting, optimization, and data-driven decision-making skills.
• Communication & Stakeholder Management: Able to effectively engage technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Quality, Compliance & Security Focus: Commitment to coding best practices, regulatory compliance (POPIA, FSCA), and secure application design.