Data API Engineer

Jobgether; South Africa; Remote; ZAR 700,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work: South Africa

Coworking support

Equity ownership (ESOP)

Technology allowance

Health insurance

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development

Annual company off-sites

Open-source environment

International collaboration

Compensation transparency

Job summary

Jobgether is seeking a Data API Engineer based in South Africa to enhance a PostgreSQL-powered Data API used by developers. You will work on PostgREST, improve connectivity, query performance, and scalability, while contributing to open-source software.

You will join a globally distributed team practicing asynchronous collaboration and ownership. The role emphasizes strong Haskell expertise, PostgreSQL knowledge, and open-source contributions, with fully remote work from South Africa and

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of professional experience with Haskell.
• Experience with C and systems-level code when needed.
• Strong knowledge of SQL and PostgreSQL, including PL/pgSQL scripts.
• Experience debugging in Linux environments and identifying root causes.
• Track record of contributing to open-source projects is a plus.
• Experience supporting users with varying technical knowledge.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; proactive ownership mindset.
• Ability to collaborate across teams in an asynchronous environment.
• Interest in open-source tooling and high-performance APIs.

Responsibilities

• Improve database connectivity and the PostgreSQL driver performance.
• Develop Data API capabilities and multitenant features.
• Enhance reliability, observability, and scalability of the API platform.
• Investigate incidents and resolve complex operational issues.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve integration challenges.
• Support developers and users with technical guidance and solutions.
• Contribute to open-source projects and share tooling improvements.
• Drive continuous improvement in code quality and architecture.

Skills

Haskell

PostgreSQL

SQL

PL/pgSQL

Linux

Open-source

Job description

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Data API Engineer based in South Africa.

We are seeking a skilled software engineer to help enhance the performance, reliability, and capabilities of a PostgreSQL-powered Data API used by developers worldwide. In this role, you will contribute to the development of PostgREST, working on database connectivity, query performance, new features, and a roadmap toward a more scalable, multitenant API. You will investigate complex technical issues, eliminate performance bottlenecks, and strengthen observability to improve service reliability. Working closely with cross-functional engineering teams, you will help resolve integration challenges and deliver a seamless developer experience. This opportunity is ideal for an engineer with strong Haskell expertise, a passion for PostgreSQL, and a commitment to open-source software. You will join a globally distributed, asynchronous team that values technical ownership, open collaboration, and building dependable developer tools at scale.

Accountabilities

• Improve database connectivity: Work on the PostgreSQL driver used by PostgREST, built on Hasql, identifying bottlenecks and implementing optimizations to improve performance and efficiency.

• Develop Data API capabilities: Contribute to PostgREST development by implementing new features, resolving bugs, and advancing the platform toward a scalable, multitenant Data API.

• Enhance reliability and performance: Investigate service issues, diagnose root causes, and implement improvements that strengthen API stability, responsiveness, and overall performance.

• Strengthen observability: Improve monitoring and diagnostic capabilities to make it easier to identify, investigate, and resolve operational issues.

• Handle technical incidents: Resolve incidents and escalated support requests, ensuring technical problems are addressed effectively and recurring issues are reduced.

• Collaborate across engineering teams: Work with other teams to troubleshoot and resolve integration issues involving the broader platform and its services.

• Support developers and users: Help users overcome technical challenges by investigating reported problems and communicating solutions clearly to people with varying levels of technical expertise.

• Contribute to open source: Participate in the development and improvement of open-source software, collaborating with the community to strengthen shared tools and infrastructure.

• Drive continuous improvement: Identify opportunities to improve code quality, system architecture, debugging workflows, and the overall developer experience.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of professional experience with Haskell, with strong proficiency in the language and its practical application to software development.

• Experience using the C programming language and the ability to work with systems-level code when needed.

• Strong knowledge of SQL and PostgreSQL, including experience writing and working with PL/pgSQL scripts.

• Experience debugging applications in Linux environments, with the ability to investigate complex technical problems and identify root causes.

• A strong track record of contributing to open-source projects; experience maintaining an open-source project is an advantage.

• Experience providing technical support to users with different levels of technical knowledge, including diagnosing issues and explaining solutions clearly.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate performance bottlenecks and improve the reliability of complex systems.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional engineering teams and contribute to shared technical objectives.

• A proactive, ownership-oriented mindset, with the ability to work independently and manage tasks in an asynchronous environment.

• Enthusiasm for open-source development, developer tooling, and building reliable, high-performance APIs.

Benefits

• Fully remote work: Work remotely from Poland, with a globally distributed team and no requirement to work from a central office.

• Coworking support: Access to a WeWork membership or coworking allowance to help create a productive work environment.

• Equity ownership: Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP), giving team members the opportunity to share in the company's long‑term growth.

• Technology allowance: Budget for essential work equipment, including a laptop, monitor, headphones, or other tools that support productivity.

• Health insurance: The employer covers 100% of employee health insurance costs and 80% of dependent coverage, subject to applicable plan terms and local availability.

• Flexible working arrangements: An asynchronous work culture that emphasizes trust, autonomy, and the ability to manage your own schedule.

• Professional development: Annual education allowance for courses, books, conferences, and other learning opportunities.

• Annual company off-sites: Opportunities to connect and collaborate in person with colleagues during a company-wide gathering.

• Open-source environment: The opportunity to contribute to open-source projects and help improve tools used by developers around the world.

• International collaboration: Work alongside a globally distributed team spanning more than 60 countries and multiple languages.

• Compensation transparency: Salary and any additional cash compensation are not specified in the provided job description and should be confirmed during the hiring process.

How Jobgether works:

We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team.

We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!

Why Apply Through Jobgether?

Data Privacy Notice: By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Jobgether will process your personal data to evaluate your candidacy and share relevant information with the hiring employer. This processing is based on legitimate interest and pre-contractual measures under applicable data protection laws (including GDPR). You may exercise your rights (access, rectification, erasure, objection) at any time.

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