Senior Software Engineer (DevOps)

Takealot Group; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 720 000 - 1 080 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading e-commerce company in South Africa is seeking a Senior DevOps Engineer to join its platform engineering team. This role involves designing and managing cloud infrastructure, implementing robust systems for monitoring, and ensuring the security of services. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and significant hands-on experience in technology environments. The position offers a hybrid working model, a mentorship program, and various perks including staff discounts and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Market-related remuneration

Mentorship programme

Hybrid working model

Staff discount

Birthday leave

Free parking

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience OR 10+ years hands-on experience in software/technology.
• Strong understanding of data structures and algorithms.
• Experience in managing production systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and manage cloud infrastructure using Terraform.
• Configure and maintain virtual servers with Chef.
• Implement server hardening and embed security.

Skills

Infrastructure passion

Linux expertise

Networking knowledge

Python programming

Cloud platform experience

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in Computer Science, Engineering, Math or Information Systems

10+ years hands-on experience in software/technology environments

Tools

Google Cloud Platform

Kubernetes

Kafka

Terraform

Chef

Job description

Takealot.com, South Africa’s leading online retailer, is looking for a highly talented Senior DevOps Engineer to join our platform engineering team and help scale infrastructure that powers millions of customer transactions. You'll architect, secure, and automate systems that directly impact our business growth and customer experience.

Think you’ve been challenged before? Think again!

• Scale: 4 million happy shoppers shop online on takealot.com. Show them what you can do.
• Learn: We work with the best of the best, and then some. Code alongside industry leaders and upskill in record time.
• Grow: Expand your career in the fast-growing Takealot Group: takealot.com and Mr D. We like to promote from within: Here’s your chance.

Who’s who in the tech space

The position reports to the DevOps Engineering Manager

Your mission, should you choose to accept it:

• Design and manage cloud infrastructure using Terraform
• Configure and maintain virtual servers with Chef
• Build and deploy robust metrics, monitoring, and logging systems that keep our services healthy
• Manage critical services including Kafka, Kubernetes, Nginx, and Memcache
• Implement server hardening and embed security throughout our platform
• Develop automation solutions so we can focus on thigh‑impact engineering
• Developing glue code to extend or integrate systems

The mindset we're looking for:

• You're genuinely passionate about infrastructure and emerging technologies
• You stay current with industry trends and love diving deep into new tools
• You thrive in team environments, communicate clearly, and mentor others
• You make thoughtful technical decisions and can work effectively under pressure

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's in Computer Science, Engineering, Math, or Information Systems + 5+ years experience OR 10+ years hands‑on experience in software/technology environments
• An understanding of computer science fundamentals, including Linux and operating systems, networking
• Strong understanding of data structures, algorithms, and computer science fundamentals
• Proficiency in writing code (our primary language is Python)
• Hands‑on experience with Google Cloud Platform (or AWS/Azure) - architecture and operations
• Understand Linux deeply (kernel tuning, proc filesystem, cgroups, os scheduling, etc.)
• Understand networking deeply (tcp/ip, calico/weave, vlans, tcpdump, etc.)
• Has experience with Linux administration (Processes, Networking, Disks, Security)
• Track record in managing production systems

Let’s talk about life @ Takealot Group

• The power is in your hands: We offer a market‑related, Total Remuneration Package which allows full flexibility according to your needs. Go on, be the master of your own destiny.
• No doors: We aren’t fans of stuffy offices or siloed work environments. See someone you like? High five, collab, and make something great.
• Remote working: Love water cooler chats and working from home? Takealot.com offers a hybrid working model for the best of both worlds.
• Mentorship programme: We aren’t kidding when we say the people with the best people win. Now’s your chance to be one of the best by learning from the best.
• Naspers Tech Community & Online Learning: Share ideas and grow with global industry leaders who are all just a Slack message away. Love to learn? Upskill with free access to courses on MyAcademy, Udacity, Coursera, and more.
• Good times: Get to know the other extraordinary minds at takealot.com during regular social events and out‑of‑office activities (think hikes, think mini golf, think good times).
• Staff discount. Millions of products across 28 departments. What more could you ask for?
• Birthday leave: Cake Day all the way. Enjoy your day off - you deserve it.
• Right tools, right job: Mac or Windows, two monitors or one. Whatever your preference, you’ll work on the latest tech, off the latest tech.
• Help when you need it most: Confidential counselling, legal support and financial guidance, for free, anytime, anywhere.
• Tech stack (for days): ReactJS, Python, Scala, Kotlin, Swift, Google Cloud, Kafka, Redis, Kubernetes, and all things machine learning. If you build it, they will come.
• Free parking: No more 5km fun runs to your desk (unless you want to).

Like what you see?

If you meet the above, you are an Extraordinary Mind. Apply today!!

Takealot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants from the previously disadvantaged groups and people with disabilities will be given preference.