Senior Software Developer: Blockchain/Distributed Ledger Technology

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading scientific research organization is seeking a Senior Software Developer to design and implement blockchain and distributed systems. This role involves leading projects, developing solutions, and mentoring junior team members. The position requires a Bachelor's degree and at least five years of experience in blockchain technologies, along with proficiency in various programming languages and frameworks. Offered benefits include flexible work arrangements and competitive remuneration.

Benefits

Flexible hybrid work arrangement

Learning and development opportunities

Competitive remuneration packages

Qualifications

• 5+ years of software development experience in blockchain technologies.
• Experience with API documentation creation.
• Ability to mentor junior team members.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement blockchain and distributed ledger solutions.
• Lead blockchain projects ensuring timely delivery.
• Supervise and mentor junior software developers.

Skills

Software development in Blockchain

Front-end Frameworks (Angular, Vue, React)

Back-end Frameworks (Python Flask, Node.js)

Version Control (Git)

Databases (SQL, NoSQL)

Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure)

Programming languages (C++, Python)

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Honours or Master's degree

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Jenkins

Job description

Overview

The CSIR is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that researches, develops, localises, and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Software Developer: Blockchain/Distributed Ledger Technology in the Emerging Digital Technologies for Fourth Industrial Revolution (EDT4IR) Research Centre. The incumbent will be responsible for designing, developing and implementing blockchain and distributed ledger systems architecture and solutions. This position is based in Pretoria and will report to the Research Group Leader.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop cutting-edge blockchain solutions and remain well-versed in new technologies in the evolving blockchain space;
• Lead blockchain project(s) of moderate to high complexity, ensuring that all features are delivered successfully within the agreed timelines;
• Create and maintain technical documentation (incl. API docs, team engineering wikis);
• Supervise/mentor junior staff in the area(s) of expertise;
• Contribute to the improvement of RDI processes within the impact area or research group;
• Generate and contribute towards science, engineering and technology (SET) activity outputs e.g. reports, guidelines, system requirements, peer-reviewed publications, and technology and software packages;
• Understand and interpret client requirements by contributing to user requirement analysis and/or well-articulated proposals;
• Remain current in field of expertise with respect to new approaches in tools, methods or technologies;
• Participate in client engagement meetings to conduct technical demonstration, presentations and elicit detailed requirements;
• Contribute to strategic planning sessions within the impact area or research group;
• Participate in external task teams or committees in relevant domains.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A BAch­elors degree in computer science, computer/electronic engineering, information technology or related field with at least five years software development experience in blockchain/distributed ledger technologies;
• An Honours or a Masters degree will be advantageous;
• Exposure in the following:
  • Software development in the field of Blockchain/Distributed Ledger Technology or a related area;
  • Front-end Frameworks: Angular, Vue, React, Next.js, Vite;
  • Back-end Frameworks: Python Flask, CherryPy or Pyramid, Node.js, ExpressJS, SpringBoot;
  • Version Control: Git;
  • Databases: SQL (Postgres, MySQL), NoSQL (MongoDB, CouchDB, ClickHouse);
  • Infrastructure and DevOps: Container Technologies (Docker or Podman), Container Orchestration (Docker Compose or Kubernetes), Continuous Integration (Jenkins, TravisCI, GitlabCI, CircleCI), Monitoring Tools (Grafana, Prometheus);
  • Cloud-based platforms: AWS, Digital Ocean, Azure, Heroku Cloud;
  • Distributed System Architecture: Client/Server, P2P, Microservices, SOA, Event-driven (pub/sub messaging);
  • System Design: Load Balancing, Caching, Sharding and Replication, Rate Limiting, Message Queues, Horizontal and Vertical Scaling, Fault Tolerance, API Design;
  • Project management;
  • Ability to demonstrate Object-orientated software engineering skills;
  • Programming languages: C++, Java, Rust, Python, Solidity, JavaScript, Go.
• Must show initiative in building applications using blockchain technology;
• Advantageous skills:
  • Understanding of various blockchain technologies and the major differences among them (Proof of Work, Proof of Stake, Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance);
  • An understanding of designing/implementing algorithms and data structures for use in real-life systems;
  • Knowledge of cryptography and established encryption protocols;
  • Understanding of basic application architectures like MVC, MVVM, MVI and Microservices;
  • Understanding of fundamentals of communication architectures including but not limited to Client-Server (REST), Event-Driven (publish/subscribe messaging), Enterprise Service Bus;
  • Knowledge of DLT development tools, such as Interactive Console, Test Net and Solc Compiler;
  • Knowledge of Open-Source development tools and platforms.

Benefits

• Flexible hybrid work arrangement;
• Learning and development opportunities;
• Competitive and market-related remuneration packages;
• Total guaranteed salary packages which encompass contributions to the pension fund, risk insurance and medical scheme;
• We openly acknowledge and reward our employees\' contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards.

PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY.

For more info, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre on 012841 4774 or email [e-mail]

The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is committed to the Employment Equity Act and will through the filling of this vacancy, give preference to candidates from designated groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act. By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands, and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from registered credit bureau and/or South African Police Services (in relation to positions that requires trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances), and may also verify the applicants educational qualification and employment history. The CSIR reserves the right to remove the advertisement at any time before the stated closing date and it further reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.