Mid-level Software Developer (Fintech/Start-up/Mobile Payments)

Black Pen Recruitment; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative solar startup in Cape Town seeks a full-time software developer. The role requires expertise in JavaScript and Python, and offers an environment that values user empathy and ownership of business outcomes. You'll work with a dynamic team to develop cloud services in AWS and foster a collaborative culture while being supported in your professional growth. The position offers exciting travel, a hybrid work model, and unlimited paid time off.

Benefits

Great offices at the V&A Waterfront

Opportunity to participate in ESOP within your first year

Exciting travel to operating countries

Hybrid flexibility

Annual team retreats

Unlimited paid time off

Qualifications

• 3-6 years of relevant experience in software development.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as JavaScript, Python, or similar.
• Familiarity with at least one backend framework such as FastAPI.

Responsibilities

• Develop cloud services in AWS with Terraform and Python.
• Own business outcomes and work beyond coding.
• Understand the needs of customers and users with empathy.

Skills

JavaScript

Python

Test-driven development

AWS

Database management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field

Job description

Our client is an innovative pay-as-you-go solar startup. They make life better for everyday households in Africa where they build amazing tech to help bring access to energy, internet and opportunity to people who otherwise wouldn’t. Our client is a dynamic, hardworking team that values flexibility and focuses on results over office hours. They are resourceful and budget-conscious, whether they are traveling or working. They believe in resilience, self-reliance, and long-term sustainability. With our client your career growth is driven by your ambitions, from expanding your role to exploring new areas of the business.

Job Type

Full Time/Permanent

Location

Cape Town

Workplace

Onsite

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in programming languages such as JavaScript, Python, or similar. Familiarity with at least one backend framework such as FastAPI, including managing databases. Familiarity with front-end frameworks like Vue or UX design experience is a plus.
• Soft Skills: Strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and a collaborative mindset.
• Dev Ops: Familiarity with test-driven development, cloud architecture (AWS a plus), and building strong developer workflows.
• Experience: 3-6 years of relevant experience in software development.

Required Skills

• JavaScript
• Python
• Test-driven development
• AWS
• Database management

Skills You’ll Develop

• Cross-functional engineering
• Commercial ownership
• User empathy
• Team coaching
• Standard practices improvement
• Developer culture building

Responsibilities

• Build across our tech stacks: Develop our cloud services in AWS with terraform and Python, develop multiple custom front-ends with various Javascript frameworks and on native Android, and maintain several app builds in Zoho Creator with Deluge. When you join Yellow, you’ll build across our ecosystem, meaning you’ll become a versatile, cross-functional engineer.
• Own commercial outcomes: Being a developer at Yellow is not about coding all day. You’ll be expected to own business outcomes and do work beyond software to make things happen. What good is code if it does not provide value for us or our customers?
• Empathize with end users: You’ll be expected to understand the needs of our customers and users—usually people in-country that have very different experiences of technology than you do. This will require empathy, patience, and the ability to challenge your own assumptions about how technology should work.
• Coach & manage others: We have a talented, enthusiastic team of devs that could use your guidance and mentorship. Use your experience to improve our standard practices, coach others, and build our developer culture.

Benefits

• Great offices at the V&A Waterfront
• Opportunity to participate in our ESOP within your first year
• Exciting travel to the countries we operate in
• Hybrid flexibility: spend at least half your time at office, you decide when
• Annual team retreats
• Unlimited paid time off

Why work with our client

Our client offers the stability of a large company with the culture of a tight-knit start-up.

While our client employs more than 1,000 people across the continent, the core management team in Cape Town, South Africa is an agile, talented group of less than 30. No matter your age or level of experience, you’ll be given large responsibilities from Day 1 and expected to be a self-starter and self‑teacher. While expectations are high, so is the level of support: They foster a culture where colleagues from across the business are eager to support and learn from one another.