Backend Software Engineer

KingMakers; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 500 000 - 700 000; Full time

Job summary

A digital sports and gaming company in Cape Town is seeking a Mid-Level Backend Software Engineer to drive backend initiatives and contribute to innovative solutions in their iGaming domain. The ideal candidate will have strong C# and .NET skills, along with experience in microservices architecture. Join a passionate team that values collaboration and continuous improvement, with competitive compensation packages and tailored benefits.

Benefits

Competitive compensation packages

Health coverage

Hybrid work options

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional experience in software development.
• Experience with relational and NoSQL databases.
• Strong focus on code quality and testing methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and maintain backend services.
• Collaborate with product managers and designers.
• Drive continuous improvement in pipelines and performance.

Skills

C#

.NET framework

MS SQL Server

MongoDB

Redis

microservices architecture

DevOps practices

Terraform

Microsoft Azure

Docker

Kubernetes

RabbitMQ

Kafka

Grafana

Job description

About us

At KingMakers, we’re not just building products; we’re redefining how millions of sports fans across Africa experience entertainment. Our mission is simple yet ambitious: to deliver seamless, 24/7 digital sports and gaming experiences that bring people closer to the games they love, online and offline.

The Role

As a Mid-Level Backend Software Engineer, you’ll join our iGaming domain (Virtuals Squad) and play a key role at the heart of our engineering team. You’ll drive backend initiatives, building robust and scalable solutions, and contribute to system architecture, technical decision-making, and product innovation, ensuring our technology stack evolves efficiently to meet business needs.

What you’ll be doing

We’re looking for engineers who love to build, test, and optimize. If you thrive in a high-impact environment, enjoy working autonomously while collaborating with cross-functional teams, and are passionate about crafting elegant and maintainable software, we’d love to hear from you.

Core Engineering

• Develop, test, and maintain high-quality, scalable backend services.
• Collaborate with backend engineers on design, approaches, and code reviews.
• Write optimized, secure code with strong focus on testing and reliability.
• Contribute to system design and architecture decisions.

Collaboration

• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers and designers.
• Participate in planning sessions, providing technical input into the roadmap.
• Share knowledge, participate in code reviews, and promote best practices.

Ownership & Growth

• Take initiative in learning the domain and proactively contributing beyond assigned tasks.
• Drive continuous improvement in pipelines, system performance, and observability.
• Support and mentor peers, contributing to a culture of excellence.

Requirements

Technical Skills & Experience

• 3+ years of professional experience in software development.
• Proficiency in C# and .NET framework.
• Experience with relational databases (MS SQL Server) and NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB, Redis).
• Strong knowledge of microservices architecture and domain-driven design.
• Understanding of modern DevOps practices, including CI/CD pipelines and Infrastructure as Code (Terraform).
• Hands‑on experience with cloud platforms (preferably Microsoft Azure).
• Familiarity with containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes, AKS).
• Experience with message queuing systems (RabbitMQ) and event streaming platforms (Kafka).
• Strong focus on code quality, testing methodologies, and software engineering best practices.
• Knowledge of performance optimization strategies, caching techniques, and observability tools (Grafana, APM solutions).
• Security‑conscious approach to software development.

Soft Skills & Mindset

• Passion for problem‑solving and building scalable solutions.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment and adapt quickly.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly.
• A growth mindset with a passion for continuous learning and improvement.
• A team player who values collaboration, feedback, and knowledge sharing.

Nice to Have

• Experience in the iGaming or sports betting industry.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and compliance standards.
• Experience working in a hyper‑growth startup environment.

How you do it – Expectations for fulfilling your role

As a general rule at KingMakers we want people to be :

• Customer Focus : We keep the customer at the center of everything we do.
• Passion & Dedication : We are passionate about what we do, employing only smart, honest, dedicated, and results‑oriented team players.
• Openness, Honesty & Directness : We embrace a culture of candor and work together towards the right solution whilst being open, honest, and willing to give and receive feedback, judgment‑free. We play the ball, not the person.
• Innovation & Big Thinking : We always look for ways to innovate whilst not losing sight of what's important.
• Ownership & Accountability : We think like owners. If we see a problem, we find a solution.
• Speed & Focus : We plan, we strategize, but mostly, we DO.
• Low Ego : The best solutions are achieved when we leave our egos at the door. We always seek opportunities to learn in every situation.
• Fun : On balance, we believe in having fun whilst working.

Benefits

At KingMakers, we believe great talent deserves great rewards. That’s why we offer competitive compensation packages designed to reflect your expertise and impact.

Our benefits are tailored to each location, ensuring they align with what matters most to our people. Whether it’s health coverage, hybrid work and perks, we strive to provide what you need to thrive – wherever you are.