C++ Developer

Profession Hub; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an experienced C++ Developer for a defence project in Cape Town. The successful candidate will design and develop C++ microservices for a Command and Control system, ensuring high reliability in a safety-critical environment. Responsibilities include implementing backend services on Linux and collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams. Familiarity with ZeroMQ and MQTT is essential, alongside strong modern C++ skills. This is a long-term contract opportunity.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop C++ microservices based on specifications provided by system engineers.
• Implement, test, and maintain robust, high-reliability backend services on Linux.
• Write and maintain unit tests to ensure system correctness and reliability.
• Integrate and communicate with distributed system components using ZeroMQ and MQTT.
• Participate in system integration activities involving sensors, launchers, and HMI components.
• Collaborate closely with multi-disciplinary teams, including systems engineers and HMI developers.

Skills

Strong proficiency in modern C++

Experience developing software on Linux-based systems

Understanding of distributed systems and microservice architectures

Experience with messaging middleware such as ZeroMQ and/or MQTT

Familiarity with unit testing and test-driven development practices

Exposure to safety-critical or certified systems (DO-178 highly advantageous)

Experience with embedded systems, including single-threaded and bare-metal development

Tools

C++

Linux

ZeroMQ

MQTT

C#

DirectX

Job description

Our client is searching for an experienced C++ Developer to join a highly technical defence project focused on developing a Command and Control system for a missile platform known as the Operations Management System (OMS). The OMS is a distributed, microservice-based system responsible for integrating multiple sensors and subsystems, including radars, inertial navigation systems, and missile launchers. Core capabilities include air picture management, engagement proposal generation, and safety certification. The project operates in a safety-critical environment, and includes elements of embedded, single-threaded, and bare-metal implementations.

Location: Cape Town

Long term contract

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop C++ microservices based on specifications provided by system engineers
• Implement, test, and maintain robust, high-reliability backend services on Linux
• Write and maintain unit tests to ensure system correctness and reliability
• Integrate and communicate with distributed system components using ZeroMQ and MQTT
• Participate in system integration activities involving sensors, launchers, and HMI components
• Collaborate closely with multi-disciplinary teams, including systems engineers and HMI developers

Technical Environment

• Programming Languages: C++ (backend), C# (HMI exposure)
• Operating System: Linux
• Architecture: Distributed, microservice-based systems
• Middleware: ZeroMQ, MQTT
• HMI: C# with DirectX
• Standards: DO-178 (safety-critical certification)
• Hardware: Custom consoles, embedded and bare-metal systems

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong proficiency in modern C++
• Experience developing software on Linux-based systems
• Understanding of distributed systems and microservice architectures
• Experience with messaging middleware such as ZeroMQ and/or MQTT
• Familiarity with unit testing and test-driven development practices
• Exposure to safety-critical or certified systems (DO-178 highly advantageous)
• Experience with embedded systems, including single-threaded and bare-metal development, is a strong plus