Lead Mobile Developer (Android)

LEAD MOBILE DEVELOPER (ANDROID)

KOTLIN & Java 

Department: Engineering 

Reports to: Technical Lead / Line Manager

WHO PLATFORM45 IS

We are responsible for code changing the lives of people around the world, every day. We solve complex problems and build big ideas. And we don’t stop. We believe in the ability of technology to make the world a better place; we’re driven to rip through conformity and create new solutions, and smarter habits. We know why we’re here: To unleash the potential of people through the power of technology. We are people multiplied by the power of tech and together we are changing the world.

CONTEXT | THE ROLE

Being a developer is not just about the ‘code’. At Platform45, our developers are all-rounders who can write exceptional, well-designed, and testable code but also collaborate effectively within their team and with others. Over and above the technical know-how, you’ll need strong verbal and written skills as you build up relationships with our clients. At Platform45, we treat our clients like partners — they’re an important part of the team and we strive to work together to build something beautiful.

As the Lead Mobile Developer (Android), you set the technical direction and quality bar for Android across the engagement. You own the architecture of the Android application(s), lead and mentor a team of Android engineers, and are accountable for the delivery of the Android workstream. Continuous learning is central to the role — whether that means new language features, keeping ahead of industry trends and methodologies, or evolving the tech stack — so that together we build the best products to solve our client’s needs.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES | THE WHAT & THE HOW

The Essentials

Software Development

Lead the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of scalable and robust Android applications that meet client requirements and industry standards.

Technical Leadership

Set the technical direction and standards for Android development across the team and engagement, ensuring adherence to best practices, coding standards, and architectural principles. Take full accountability for the Android workstream, problem-solving and self-correcting where needed, and ensure the scalability, performance, and maintainability of Android applications through sound design patterns (MVVM, etc.).

Team Leadership

Lead, mentor, and grow a team of Android engineers — setting objectives, supporting professional development, giving regular feedback, and helping to shape the Android hiring bar through interviewing and technical assessment.

Solution Architecture

Own the architecture of the Android application(s). Collaborate with stakeholders to define system architecture, identify technical requirements, and design innovative solutions that address complex business challenges.

Delivery Ownership

Own estimation, planning, and delivery of the Android workstream, ensuring high-quality releases are shipped within scope and timelines, and reporting progress, risks, and dependencies to the Technical Lead and stakeholders.

Collaboration

Collaborate with product managers, UX/UI designers, backend developers, and the iOS lead to define and implement new features, enhance existing ones, and ensure a consistent cross-platform experience.

Code Review and Quality Assurance

Establish and enforce code review, testing, and quality assurance processes to ensure the reliability, performance, and security of the Android application. Design and champion automated unit and integration tests, and optimise application performance, responsiveness, and resource usage for smooth operation across a wide range of devices.

Requirement Analysis

Work closely with clients to understand their needs, gather requirements, and propose technical solutions that align with their objectives and budget constraints.

Continuous Improvement

Stay updated on emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices in software development, and leverage this knowledge to enhance our development standards, processes, and capabilities.

Mentoring

Provide mentorship to junior / less-experienced developers, assisting them in growing their technical expertise and guiding them on best practices, coding standards, and architectural principles.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or provable, self-taught development skills with a good understanding of how systems work.
• 7+ years of Android application development, including demonstrable experience leading or mentoring a team of Android engineers, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality apps to the Google Play Store.
• Expert knowledge of Kotlin and/or Java, with extensive experience working with the Android SDK, Android Studio, and related libraries.
• Proficiency with modern Android development, including Jetpack Compose, Kotlin Coroutines, and Flow.
• Strong understanding of mobile architecture patterns (MVC, MVVM, etc.) and software design principles (SOLID, DRY, etc.).
• Experience with advanced Android components and frameworks, including Jetpack (Navigation, Room, ViewModel) and dependency injection tools (Dagger, Hilt).
• Deep knowledge of RESTful APIs, WebSockets, and third-party API integrations.
• Familiarity with other mobile frameworks (e.g., React Native, Flutter) would be an advantage.
• Experience defining and owning CI/CD pipelines and automated testing practices for a mobile team.
• Experience with performance tuning, memory management, and security best practices in Android development.
• Experience with publishing and maintaining Android apps in the Google Play Store, including versioning, A/B testing, and handling app reviews.
• Experience owning delivery of a mobile workstream — estimation, planning, and stakeholder communication.
• Having experience working within a high-growth tech startup would be an advantage.
• Have brilliant problem-solving abilities that take product design, process, and technical aspects into account.
• Have the ability to clearly articulate solutions for a technical and non-technical audience.

CRITICAL COMPETENCIES

• Proven people-leadership skills — able to grow, motivate, and hold a team to a high standard while keeping them engaged.
• You have an entrepreneurial mindset and can understand the business value of a project.
• You have the ability to research and develop new products and modifications to existing software when needed.
• You are someone who is motivated, energetic, and always focused on the task at hand.
• A strategic thinker who can work under pressure, independently problem-solve, and draw knowledge from a broad range of experiences.
• A proactive, continuous, and quick learner who is genuinely excited about industry trends and has a passion for technology and knowledge.
• A resourceful, ‘big-picture’ thinker who considers how the code that is written will have an impact later on.
• Good communication and teamwork are critical — you’ll be dealing not only with developers but also designers, product owners, clients, and other key stakeholders.
• Play a mentorship role to our interns, juniors, and other less-experienced engineers.