Senior Ruby on Rails Developer

Datafin; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

A high-growth online company in Johannesburg is seeking a Senior Ruby on Rails Developer. The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience, including a minimum of 2 years in a leadership role. Responsibilities include full-stack development of web applications, mentoring of a development team, and ensuring code quality through test-driven development. If you are passionate about building scalable applications and leading a team, this opportunity is for you. Apply now to join a dynamic and innovative environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in Ruby on Rails development.
• At least 2 years in a technical leadership role.
• Expertise in frontend technologies like React or Vue.js.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain high-performance Ruby on Rails applications.
• Lead and mentor a team of developers.
• Develop comprehensive test suites for high-quality code.

Skills

Ruby on Rails development

Full-stack development

Leadership and mentorship

Test-driven development

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent

Tools

RSpec

PostgreSQL

Git

Docker

Job description

Senior Ruby on Rails Developer - Software Development

Johannesburg - Gauteng - South Africa

ENVIRONMENT

Our client a fast-moving, high-growth online loan underwriting company is on the hunt for a Senior Ruby on Rails Developer who is not just great with code but also knows how to lead the way! If you're someone who thrives on building sleek, scalable web apps front to back, loves clean code, and has a thing for mentoring fellow devs while setting high standards, keep reading. They've got exciting projects, a passionate team, and a tech stack that's ready for your magic touch. Ideally, you've got 8+ years of Ruby on Rails wizardry under your belt, including at least 2 years leading the charge. A degree in Computer Science is awesome, but if your experience speaks volumes, that's what really counts. If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and make big things happen, this one's calling your name.

DUTIES

Full-Stack Development

• Design, develop, and maintain high-performance Ruby on Rails applications, handling both backend and frontend components.


• Build and optimize RESTful APIs, database schemas, and user interfaces to ensure seamless functionality and user experience.


• Implement responsive, accessible frontend designs using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks like React, Vue.js, or similar.

Code Quality and Best Practices

• Write clean, efficient, and well-documented code following Ruby on Rails conventions and industry best practices.


• Conduct code reviews to ensure consistency, performance, and adherence to coding standards.


• Refactor legacy code to improve maintainability, scalability, and performance.

Test-Driven Development (TDD)

• Develop and maintain comprehensive test suites using tools like RSpec, Minitest, or Capybara to ensure robust code quality.


• Implement best-practice test cases, including unit, integration, and end-to-end tests, to minimize bugs and regressions.


• Advocate for and enforce a culture of TDD within the development team.

Leadership and Management

• Lead and mentor a team of developers, providing technical guidance and fostering a collaborative, high-performing environment.


• Manage project timelines, delegate tasks, and ensure on-time delivery of features and releases.


• Collaborate with product managers, designers, and stakeholders to translate requirements into technical specifications.

System Optimization and Scalability

• Optimize application performance through efficient database queries, caching strategies, and server-side improvements.


• Ensure applications are secure, scalable, and maintainable, adhering to best practices for cloud-based deployments.


• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues in production environments.

Collaboration and Communication

• Work closely with cross-functional teams to align development efforts with business objectives.


• Communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders, providing updates on progress and risks.


• Contribute to Agile/Scrum processes, including sprint planning, stand-ups, and retrospectives.

REQUIREMENTS

• Education:


• Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).


• Experience:


• 8+ years of professional experience developing Ruby on Rails applications, with at least 2 years in a senior or lead role.


• Proven full-stack development experience, including frontend frameworks (e.g., React, Vue.js, or Angular) and backend systems.


• 2+ years of technical leadership or management experience, including mentoring developers and managing projects.


• Technical Proficiency:


• Expert-level knowledge of Ruby on Rails, including MVC architecture, Active Record, and Rails 6/7 features.


• Strong experience with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and query optimization.


• Proficiency in frontend technologies: HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and modern frameworks.


• Familiarity with testing frameworks (e.g., RSpec, Minitest, Capybara) and best practices for TDD/BDD.


• Experience with version control (Git), CI/CD pipelines, and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Heroku, or Azure).


• Code Quality:


• Demonstrated ability to write clean, modular, and efficient code with a focus on maintainability.


• Deep understanding of design patterns, SOLID principles, and RESTful architecture.


• Familiarity with code testing applications such as Circle CI and Code Climate.


• Bug identification via Airbrake.


• Soft Skills:


• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities, with a track record of building cohesive teams.


• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.


• Effective communication skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts to diverse audiences.


• Preferred Qualifications:


• BSc Computer Science.


• Familiarity with DevOps tools (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes, Ansible) and infrastructure as code.


• Contributions to open-source Ruby/Rails projects or a strong GitHub portfolio.


• Agile/Scrum certification (e.g., Certified Scrum Developer) or experience leading Agile teams.

ATTRIBUTES

• Technical leadership


• Clean code advocacy


• Test-driven development


• Full-stack expertise


• Agile project delivery

Team mentorship