Intermediate Backend Engineer

Zohorecruit; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Zohorecruit in Johannesburg, South Africa is seeking an Intermediate Backend Engineer to design, develop and maintain backend services using Python and Django. You will build RESTful APIs, work with SQL databases, and collaborate with frontend teams and QA to deliver reliable software solutions.

The ideal candidate has 4+ years of backend experience, strong Python/Django skills and a solid understanding of API design and software engineering principles.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of professional backend development experience.
• Strong Python development skills and Django production experience.
• Experience designing and building RESTful APIs.
• SQL and relational databases expertise.
• Experience with Git and standard SDLC practices.
• Bachelor-level degree in CS/SE/IT or related field.
• Ability to translate requirements into practical software solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and maintain backend applications and services using Python and Django.
• Build and maintain RESTful APIs and integrations.
• Translate business and technical requirements into practical software solutions.
• Work with relational databases and write efficient SQL queries.
• Troubleshoot, debug and resolve application and production issues.
• Write clean, maintainable and reusable code.
• Participate in code reviews and follow established development standards.
• Contribute to testing, deployment and continuous improvement of applications.
• Collaborate with frontend developers, QA, product and other technical stakeholders.
• Take ownership of assigned features and deliver them through to completion.

Skills

Python

Django

REST APIs

SQL

Git

OOP

Problem-solving

Education

BSc in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Docker

CI/CD

Cloud platforms

Testing (unit/TDD)

Job description

Johannesburg, South Africa | Posted on 29/09/2026

We are looking for an Intermediate Backend Engineer with strong Python and Django experience to develop, maintain and enhance backend applications and services. The ideal candidate will have solid software engineering fundamentals, hands‑on production experience and a practical approach to solving technical problems.

You will work closely with other developers and stakeholders to deliver reliable, maintainable solutions and contribute across the software development lifecycle.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop and maintain backend applications and services using Python and Django.
• Build and maintain RESTful APIs and integrations.
• Translate business and technical requirements into practical software solutions.
• Work with relational databases and write efficient SQL queries.
• Troubleshoot, debug and resolve application and production issues.
• Write clean, maintainable and reusable code.
• Participate in code reviews and follow established development standards.
• Contribute to testing, deployment and continuous improvement of applications.
• Collaborate with frontend developers, QA, product and other technical stakeholders.
• Take ownership of assigned features and deliver them through to completion.
• BSc in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical qualification.
• 4+ years of professional backend software development experience.
• Proven production experience developing and maintaining applications using Python and Django.
• Strong understanding of software development principles, object-oriented programming and clean, maintainable code.

Technical Skills & Experience

• Strong Python development skills and solid programming fundamentals.
• Hands‑on, production-level experience with Django.
• Strong understanding of API design and backend service architecture.
• Solid SQL and relational database knowledge.
• Experience with Git and standard software development practices.
• Ability to troubleshoot, debug and maintain production applications.

Advantageous:

• Experience with Django REST Framework.
• Experience with cloud platforms and/or CI/CD pipelines.
• Docker and containerisation experience.
• Experience with automated testing, unit testing and/or test-driven development (TDD).
• Exposure to DevOps practices and deployment processes.