Intermediate Backend Engineer (Python & Django)

Sabenza IT & Recruitment; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Sabenza IT & Recruitment is seeking an Intermediate Backend Engineer with strong Python and Django experience to design, develop and maintain backend applications and services. You will build RESTful APIs, work with relational databases, and ensure code quality through reviews and testing.

The role requires 4+ years of backend experience, solid fundamentals, and a practical approach to solving technical problems.

Qualifications

• 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.

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

OOP

Code quality

Code reviews

DevOps practices

TDD

React basics

Education

BSc in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or related

Tools

Git

Docker

CI/CD

DRF

AWS

Job description

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.

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.

Minimum Requirements

• 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

• Essential:Strong Python development skills and solid programming fundamentals.
• Hands‑on, production‑level experience with Django.
• Experience developing RESTful APIs, preferably using Django REST Framework (DRF).
• 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.
• Exposure to React or other modern JavaScript frameworks.
• 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.