Lead Software Architect (Node.js)

Lead Software Architect (Node.js)

Zühlke Group

Porto, Portugal

As an Architect & People Lead, you’ll design and deliver impactful software solutions for international clients - 80% hands-on in architecture and development, 20% dedicated to leading and coaching a local team in Portugal. You’ll drive full-cycle product delivery using Node.js and modern JavaScript/TypeScript frameworks, with a strong focus on quality, scalability, and DevOps practices.

This role is perfect for someone who thrives on technical challenges, enjoys mentoring others, and embraces AI and modern architectures to build future-ready systems. Join us and help grow a strong engineering culture while staying close to both people and code.

How You'll Make an Impact

• In a dual role as Architect and People Lead (distribution: 80% architect / 20% people lead), you combine technical expertise with leadership skills;
• As a team leader in the Software Excellence practice in Portugal, you act as an enabler, coach, and first point of contact for your team members;
• You are responsible for engineering purpose-built business applications for international clients, from concept to production;
• You take over the technical management of teams from kick-off to rollout and collaborate closely with project management;
• Through your leadership skills, you inspire and mobilize your team and customers alike;
• You embrace AI as an opportunity to create software in a better way.

What’s Important to Us

• Deep expertise in Node.js and its ecosystem (Express.js, NestJS, or similar frameworks);
• Practical experience in designing software systems using concepts like Domain-Driven Design (DDD) and hexagonal architecture;
• Ideally, you already have leadership experience and see yourself as an inspiring leader and coach;
• Strong knowledge of JavaScript/TypeScript and modern web development frameworks (React, Angular, or Vue);
• Familiarity with microservices, API design, and cloud-native architectures;
• A DevOps mindset: you understand that high code quality, CI/CD, and automated testing are crucial;
• University degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience;
• Fluent in English;
• Willingness to travel abroad occasionally to clients;
• While we offer very flexible working arrangements, we’d like to occasionally meet you in our office to participate in a lively community.