Senior Software Developer – AI & Next-Generation Telecoms

First Point Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

First Point Group seeks a Senior Software Developer to join an R&D team focused on modernising and enhancing software in telecommunications. This hands-on role requires ownership of complex challenges, architecture input, and delivering both existing and new products.

Exposure to AI, LLMs, cloud technologies, and modern development practices will be gained. The role emphasizes developing enterprise-grade software, REST APIs, and cloud/container technologies, with a strong focus on quality and

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional software development experience.
• Strong programming and software engineering fundamentals.
• Experience with Java and Spring Boot or comparable backend technologies.
• Solid SQL and relational database experience.
• Strong experience developing and integrating REST APIs.
• Experience with Git and Linux.
• Experience with Docker and/or Kubernetes would be advantageous.
• Experience working with CI/CD and cloud environments.
• Strong understanding of software architecture and design principles.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and maintain enterprise-grade software solutions.
• Modernise and enhance existing telecommunications software.
• Develop new products and features from the ground up.
• Take ownership of complex technical initiatives from design through to implementation.
• Design and integrate REST APIs and backend services.
• Work with relational databases and complex SQL.
• Investigate, diagnose and resolve complex technical problems.
• Contribute to software architecture and technical design decisions.
• Work with cloud and container technologies.
• Explore and implement AI, LLM and AI-agent capabilities.
• Develop proofs-of-concept for emerging technologies.
• Conduct and participate in code reviews.
• Provide technical guidance and support to other developers.
• Contribute to improving development standards, processes and practices.
• Evaluate new technologies and determine their potential application within products.
• Collaborate with technical and business stakeholders to deliver effective solutions.

Skills

Java

Spring Boot

REST APIs

SQL

Git

Linux

CI/CD

Cloud

AI/LLMs

Architectural decisions

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

CI/CD tools

Job description

We are recruiting for a Senior Software Developer to join a Research & Development team focused on developing, modernising and enhancing software solutions within the telecommunications industry.

This is a hands-on development role for an experienced software engineer who can take ownership of complex technical challenges, contribute to architectural decisions and help drive the development of both existing and new products.

The role also provides exposure to AI, LLMs, cloud technologies and emerging software development practices.

Requirements

• 5+ years of professional software development experience
• Strong programming and software engineering fundamentals
• Strong experience with Java and Spring Boot, or comparable backend technologies
• Solid SQL and relational database experience
• Strong experience developing and integrating REST APIs
• Experience with Git and Linux
• Experience with Docker and/or Kubernetes would be advantageous
• Experience working with CI/CD and cloud environments
• Strong understanding of software architecture and design principles
• Experience working on complex software development projects
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of technical deliverables
• Ability to collaborate effectively with developers and wider stakeholders
• Interest in AI, LLMs and emerging technologies
• A mindset focused on continuous learning and improvement

Telecommunications experience is advantageous but not essential.

Experience within another complex technology environment will also be considered.

Exposure to:

• AI and LLM technologies
• AI agents and self-hosted LLMs
• Cloud and container technologies
• Enterprise software modernisation
• Telecommunications technology
• Technical research and experimentation
• Complex software engineering challenges

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, develop and maintain enterprise-grade software solutions
• Modernise and enhance existing telecommunications software
• Develop new products and features from the ground up
• Take ownership of complex technical initiatives from design through to implementation
• Design and integrate REST APIs and backend services
• Work with relational databases and complex SQL
• Investigate, diagnose and resolve complex technical problems
• Contribute to software architecture and technical design decisions
• Work with cloud and container technologies
• Explore and implement AI, LLM and AI-agent capabilities
• Develop proofs-of-concept for emerging technologies
• Conduct and participate in code reviews
• Provide technical guidance and support to other developers
• Contribute to improving development standards, processes and practices
• Evaluate new technologies and determine their potential application within products
• Collaborate with technical and business stakeholders to deliver effective solutions

Technology Environment

The environment includes OCI and other cloud technologies.

You are not expected to be an expert across the entire technology stack. Strong software engineering fundamentals, technical problem-solving ability, and the capacity to learn and adapt are important.