Senior Back-End Engineer

AllWage; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic tech startup in South Africa is seeking an experienced backend engineer to join their innovative team. This role focuses on utilizing AI development tools, designing scalable backend systems using Spring and Java, and creating clean APIs that drive efficiency. With 5+ years of experience, you'll collaborate to identify solutions and directly impact operations across various industries. If you're passionate about AI and looking to work in a progressive environment, this is the opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in backend engineering, particularly with Spring and Java.
• Proven ability to design scalable systems and manage technical risks.
• Experience with document databases and API design is essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop robust backend solutions that directly impact client operations.
• Design effective APIs to facilitate team agility.
• Lead architectural decisions and system design.

Skills

Backend systems design

Spring/Java proficiency

AI development tools usage

NoSQL databases

Collaborative teamwork

Tools

Couchbase

Docker

AWS

Job description

What Does AllWage Do?

At AllWage, we're transforming how essential industries like construction, agriculture, and manufacturing manage their people. Our platform is the end-to-end solution for a waged workforce: time tracking, payroll, WhatsApp-based comms, and increasingly, AI-powered features that help businesses manage large teams more intelligently.

We're not just building tools for businesses. Through WhatsApp, employees can access their information, communicate with employers, and have real visibility into the process.

Why AllWage?

AllWage is on a mission to become the go-to solution for managing a waged workforce across Southern Africa. Over 200 businesses already rely on our technology, and we're scaling fast.

From company financials to strategic decisions, we share everything. Your voice will shape our future.

We believe AGI for software engineering has arrived. If you've been paying attention to AI development tools, you know the landscape has fundamentally shifted. We're looking for engineers who see this clearly and want to build in this new paradigm, not fight it.

This Role Might Be For You If...

You're an experienced backend engineer who's genuinely excited about AI, but you're stuck. Maybe your current company is slow to adopt new tools. Maybe you're surrounded by skeptics. Maybe you've been using AI assistants in your personal projects and wondering why your day job feels like it's five years behind.

At AllWage, AI-assisted development isn't a pilot programme. It's how we work.

You also won't be building features that sit in a backlog for months. You'll push code to production that affects hundreds of clients and thousands of employees, and you'll do it regularly. Real impact, real users, real feedback.

What You'll Do

Solve real problems: Deeply understand problems before solving them. Build robust backend solutions while surfacing technical risks before they become fires.

Work with the best tools: AI development tools are core to your workflow. You'll always have access to the latest tools, and we encourage you to challenge our stack. Found something better? Bring it.

Architect systems that matter: Own architectural decisions for our Spring/Java backend. Help design the AI features that will define our next chapter.

Own the API layer: Design and evolve our APIs, ensuring clean contracts that let the whole team move fast.

Lead through influence: Set standards, guide decisions, and raise the bar for those around you.

Who We're Looking For

Deep backend experience: 5+ years building backend systems with strong Spring/Java proficiency. You've designed systems at scale and can make intelligent trade-offs.

An AI-native workflow: You're already using AI development tools daily. You've developed taste for when AI output is ready to ship and when it isn't.

NoSQL instincts: Experience working with document databases rather than purely relational systems. You understand how to model data when you're not working with traditional SQL tables. We use Couchbase, but the underlying experience matters more than the specific technology.

Architectural thinking: You can reason about large systems, spot problems early, and make smart trade-offs. API design is something you care about.

Ownership: You take responsibility from concept to production. You identify problems and drive solutions.

Collaborative: You articulate decisions clearly and enjoy working together to find the best path forward.

Nice to Have

AWS, Docker, some DevOps exposure.

Join Us

If you've been waiting for a role where AI tools aren't controversial, where problem-solving matters more than lines of code, and where you can help build AI features that solve real problems, this is it.