Senior Javascript Engineer - Integration Services

Open Function (Openfn); Gauteng; Remote; ZAR 600 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading open source technology organization in South Africa is looking for a Senior Software Engineer. The successful candidate will have strong backend JavaScript experience and will lead the design of scalable integration solutions for NGOs and government ministries. This is a remote role with flexible hours and opportunities to mentor other engineers. Ideal candidates should have over 5 years of experience in high-performing applications and data integration technologies.

Benefits

Financial compensation commensurate with experience

Flexible working schedule

Exposure to industry trends

Opportunity for leadership and advancement

Opportunities to travel for team meetings

Qualifications

• 5-7+ years of experience delivering high performing application solutions.
• Proven expertise in JavaScript and Node.js with backend development experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement data integration approaches using OpenFn.
• Provide feedback on solution designs and support API discovery.
• Engage directly with partners to provide architectural insight.

Skills

JavaScript

Node.js

Data integration

APIs

Communication skills

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Overview

OpenFn is a free and open source digital public good (DPG) that automates data exchange and repetitive tasks so that NGOs and governments can work more efficiently, improve service delivery, and scale promising health & humanitarian interventions.

Our team, Open Function Group, is the primary steward of this open source software.

We are a team of IT and data integration specialists that provide open source software, training, and technical support to help partners in 40+ countries automate mission-critical workflows and achieve interoperability.

We are a fully-remote, lean team that uses cutting edge technologies to drive efficiency where it matters most; we do not make marginal improvements to already comfortable lives.

Role

You will join as a Senior Software Engineer with proven experience in JavaScript development to join our Services team as an Engineer for key implementations with government ministries and large NGOs.

This is not a frontend role.

Candidates must have a strong backend JavaScript / Node.js background.

Applicants without this experience will not be considered.

We are looking for someone who thrives on solving complex technical challenges, has a design-first mindset, and consistently delivers innovative, high-performing, scalable architecture that goes beyond the conventional.

You'll guide the technical direction of our service implementations and mentor fellow engineers through code, guidance, and example.

You should have a strong understanding of data integration design and software architectures.

You'll be the first port of call for our team of engineers and consultants to tackle the many technical issues that come up in integration pipelines and local software deployments, and will take a leading role in the design and development of OpenFn Adaptors.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement data integration approaches and solution architectures using OpenFn as an integration platform
• Provide feedback on solution designs and support API discovery to help OpenFn consultants deliver robust, secure, and scalable automation solutions
• Engage directly with partners and clients to provide architectural insight, technical validation, and creative solutions to complex requirements
• Configure and implement deployment strategies and architecture design for customers seeking to host OpenFn on local infrastructure
• Mentor and review work by Services team engineers, ensuring solutions using the OpenFn toolkit and Node.js are technically sound and production-ready
• Develop the open source JavaScript Adaptors modules which users depend upon to interface with various backend platforms

What You'll Be Doing

You will collaborate with technical teams, partners, and clients to design and develop data integration and workflow automation solutions that enable smarter, more connected digital systems.

Leveraging your expertise in system integration, software architecture, deployment strategies, and modern development practices, you will deliver solutions that meet project scope, cost, and timeline requirements.

You'll bring architectural clarity and technical oversight to projects that demand high performance, scalability, and creativity.

Requirements

• 5-7+ years of experience delivering high performing application solutions that meet scope, cost, and date parameters
• 5-7+ years of experience in software development utilizing data integration methods and technologies including web services, JSON, REST, APIs, automated testing frameworks, and orchestration tools
• Proven expertise in JavaScript and Node.js, with backend development experience
• Experience with an agile work approach and supporting software teams in all disciplines
• Expertise in comparing data integration approaches and assessing their strengths and limitations in terms of business goals
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to facilitate technical workshops with external stakeholders
• Fluency in English (written and spoken)
• Commitment to training and developing your skills and sharing knowledge
• Ability to work from home or a shared office space with fast, stable internet

Things that Might Set You Apart

• Experience implementing different middleware or workflow automation platforms
• Understanding of software architectures, cloud-native development, and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)
• DevOps practices experience (CI / CD pipelines, infrastructure as code, monitoring)
• Creative problem-solving and a design-oriented mindset
• Cloud-native development and orchestration tools (Kubernetes, Terraform)

API design and development experience

• Experience with NGO / government consulting or remote work with multinational teams
• Leadership or people-management experience
• Working proficiency in another language (preferably French or Spanish)

Benefits

• Financial compensation commensurate with experience
• Flexible working schedule
• Fully remote with team meetups across Europe and Africa
• Exposure to industry trends and health / humanitarian interventions
• Opportunity for leadership and advancement; contribute to company strategy
• Opportunities to travel for team meetings, partner visits, and conferences
• Shape our strategy and impact millions of lives through our open source software