Senior Software Development Engineer

NTT Limited; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

NTT DATA is seeking a senior backend and integration-focused software engineer to work across Python and PHP, REST APIs, and SQL in a Linux/FreeBSD production environment. The role spans application development, automation, and production services for Broadband platforms, requiring strong problem-solving and collaboration with network and platform engineers.

Candidates should thrive in a hybrid workplace, demonstrate deep understanding of CI/CD, GitLab workflows, and secure software practices,

Qualifications

• Strong software development experience in Python and/or PHP.
• Experience developing and consuming REST APIs and integrating with third-party platforms.
• Strong SQL skills with MySQL/MariaDB.
• Linux operating systems in development/production environments.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to automation and reduction of manual operational processes.
• Develop and support production-grade software across Linux/FreeBSD.
• Troubleshoot production issues across application, database, OS and network layers.
• Mentor less experienced developers and contribute to engineering standards.

Skills

Python

PHP

REST APIs

SQL

Linux

FreeBSD

GitLab

CI/CD

Docker

Kubernetes/OpenShift

Automation

Tools

GitLab

Docker

Kubernetes

OpenShift

Ansible

Job description

Make an impact with NTT DATA Join a company that is pushing the boundaries of what is possible. We are renowned for our technical excellence and leading innovations, and for making a difference to our clients and society. Our workplace embraces diversity and inclusion – it’s a place where you can grow, belong and thrive.

The ideal candidate is an experienced Senior backend and integration-focused software engineer with strong Python/PHP, API, SQL and Linux skills who is comfortable working close to production infrastructure. They should be confident operating at the command line, troubleshooting applications and services on Linux, and capable of becoming productive within the team's FreeBSD-based production environment. They should be able to move between software development, automation, operating systems, troubleshooting and systems integration, while understanding enough about ISP and Broadband services to work effectively with network and platform engineers. The successful candidate will be an experienced software engineer capable of working across application development, systems integration, automation and production Broadband platforms.

Core technical requirements

Strong software development experience in Python and/or PHP, with Python considered an important capability for future automation and integration development. Strong understanding of object-oriented programming, software design principles and maintainable code development. Experience developing and consuming REST APIs and integrating with third-party platforms and services. Strong working knowledge of JSON, with practical exposure to XML and other structured data formats advantageous. Strong SQL skills and experience with relational databases, particularly MySQL/MariaDB. Strong practical experience working with Linux operating systems in development and production environments. Good command-line and shell skills, including: filesystem and permissions management process and service management package management log analysis networking and connectivity troubleshooting scripting and task automation Experience with FreeBSD is highly advantageous. The Broadband estate includes production services running on FreeBSD and the candidate should be comfortable learning and operating across both Linux and BSD environments. General understanding of Unix-like operating system concepts, including services/daemons, permissions, users/groups, networking, filesystems and package management. Experience with Git-based source control, preferably GitLab, including merge requests, branching strategies and collaborative code review. Practical understanding of CI/CD pipelines, automated testing and controlled deployment into production environments. Ability to troubleshoot production applications across: application code APIs and integrations databases web/application servers Linux / FreeBSD operating systems network connectivity Experience developing and supporting business-critical production systems, including incident troubleshooting and root-cause analysis. Ability to understand existing codebases, including legacy applications, and progressively modernise them without disrupting live services. Experience with secure software development practices, including input validation, secrets management, authentication, access control and dependency management. Strong technical documentation skills, including documenting APIs, application behaviour, integrations and operational procedures.

Broadband / ISP knowledge

The candidate does not need to be a network engineer but must be comfortable working in a network-centric environment. Experience or understanding of the following would be highly advantageous: RADIUS / AAA concepts, including authentication, authorisation and accounting ISP subscriber provisioning and lifecycle management Broadband technologies such as fibre, LTE, 5G and fixed wireless access Customer and FNO integration models IP addressing, DNS, HTTP/S and basic TCP/IP troubleshooting Subscriber usage, quota and package management Network automation and provisioning workflows Working with network engineering teams on service activation and troubleshooting.

Automation and integration

The role will be expected to contribute significantly to automation and reduction of manual operational processes. Relevant experience includes: Python-based automation Shell scripting API orchestration and systems integration Scheduled/background processing Data transformation and validation Workflow automation Integration with customer, FNO and internal NTT DATA platforms Event-driven or queue-based processing Development of operational tools used by Engineering and Support teams Experience with tools such as Ansible or similar automation platforms would be advantageous.

Web and application technologies

Experience in some of the following would be beneficial: PHP 8+ Python frameworks such as FastAPI, Flask or Django JavaScript / TypeScript HTML/CSS Node.js Nginx and Apache PHP-FPM Application deployment and troubleshooting on Linux and FreeBSD Exposure to mobile application development or mobile application integration would be advantageous Strong backend capability is more important than front-end specialisation.

DevOps and platform engineering

Exposure to the following would be advantageous: GitLab CI/CD Docker Kubernetes / OpenShift Ansible Linux and FreeBSD package management Shell scripting Logging and monitoring platforms Prometheus / Grafana Secure software supply-chain practices Automated testing and deployment Given the current Broadband development structure, the candidate must be capable of operating independently and providing technical depth within the team. The successful candidate should be able to: take ownership of a technical requirement from design through to production break complex requirements into deliverable technical components review and improve existing code conduct meaningful code reviews troubleshoot complex production issues across application, database, OS and network layers make sound technical design decisions estimate development effort and identify delivery risks work across multiple concurrent customer and platform priorities mentor less experienced developers contribute to development standards and engineering practices document systems sufficiently to reduce individual knowledge dependency.

Advantageous experience

The following are beneficial but should not be treated as mandatory: FreeBSD administration and development Mobile application development, including native or cross-platform mobile applications Experience with mobile frameworks such as Flutter, React Native, Kotlin, Swift or similar Integration of mobile applications with backend APIs, authentication and push-notification services Java, C# or Node.js PostgreSQL or Microsoft SQL Server Redis or other caching technologies Kafka or messaging platforms AWS or other public cloud platforms YANG, NETCONF, RESTCONF or Cisco NSO Network automation Telecommunications or ISP platform development ESRI / GIS integrations TR-069 / TR-369 / device-management platforms Agile / Scrum delivery environments.

Workplace type: Hybrid Working

Workplace type: Hybrid Working About NTT DATA NTT DATA is a $30+ billion business and technology services leader, serving 75% of the Fortune Global 100. We are committed to accelerating client success and positively impacting society through responsible innovation. We are one of the world’s leading AI and digital infrastructure providers, with unmatched capabilities in enterprise-scale AI, cloud, security, connectivity, data centers and application services. Our consulting and industry solutions help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. As a Global Top Employer, we have experts in more than 70 countries. We also offer clients access to a robust ecosystem of innovation centers as well as established and start-up partners. NTT DATA is part of NTT Group, which invests over $3 billion each year in R&D.

Equal Opportunity Employer

NTT DATA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer with a global culture that embraces diversity. We are committed to providing an environment free of unfair discrimination and harassment. We do not discriminate based on age, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, disability, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected category. Join our growing global team and accelerate your career with us.