Software Developer (API Development)

Paracon; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 700 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company in Johannesburg is seeking an experienced API Developer responsible for designing, building, and maintaining secure APIs that support the enterprise strategy. The role focuses on API lifecycle management, integration with various systems, and collaboration with teams to ensure alignment with architecture standards. Applicants should have a Bachelor's degree and 3–5+ years of hands-on experience in API development, with proficiency in Python, C#, and SQL. Familiarity with Azure services is advantageous.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years hands-on experience in API development, integration engineering, or data engineering.
• Understanding of ETL processes and data warehousing concepts.
• Experience implementing security, performance optimization, and monitoring strategies.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain RESTful and SOAP APIs.
• Integrate APIs with backend systems, cloud platforms, and third-party services.
• Collaborate with engineers and stakeholders to align API designs with architectures.

Skills

API development

RESTful services

API management tools

Python

C#

SQL

Azure Data Factory

Azure DataBricks

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology

Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering

Tools

API Gateway

Azure API Management

Apigee

Kong

Job description

1. Purpose of the Role

The API Developer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining secure, scalable, and high-performance APIs that support company’s enterprise integration strategy. The role enables seamless communication between internal platforms, external partners, and microservices architectures while ensuring adherence to security, data governance, and architectural standards.

2. Key Responsibilities

API Design & Development

• Design, develop, and maintain RESTful and SOAP APIs.
• Implement secure authentication and authorisation protocols including OAuth, API keys, and token-based access.
• Manage the full API lifecycle using API Gateway, versioning, and monitoring tools.
• Develop reusable integration components to support enterprise scalability.

Integration

• Integrate APIs with backend systems, cloud platforms, and third-party services.
• Enable efficient, secure, and high-throughput data ingestion and delivery.
• Support real-time, event-driven, and batch integration patterns.

Collaboration & Architecture Alignment

• Collaborate with software engineers, data engineers, architects, and business stakeholders.
• Ensure API designs align with microservices, enterprise architecture, and cloud integration patterns.
• Support asynchronous communication using queues, messaging, or event streams.

Performance, Security & Governance

• Optimise API performance, scalability, and fault tolerance.
• Enforce governance, logging, auditability, and API usage controls.
• Implement compliance frameworks such as POPIA, security best practices, and company standards.

DevOps & CI/CD

• Use Git and version control best practices.
• Implement CI/CD pipelines for automated API deployment and testing.
• Support containerisation and cloud deployment where required.

3. Required Skills & Experience

• Strong proficiency in API development, particularly RESTful services.
• Experience with API Gateway and API management tools (Azure API Management, Apigee, Kong, etc.).
• Hands-on experience with: Python, C#, SQL
• Knowledge of (or exposure to):
• Java and R (advantageous).
• Experience with Azure ecosystem: Azure Data Factory, Azure Databricks, Azure monitoring & logging tools.

Understanding of:

• ETL processes
• Data modelling & data warehousing concepts
• Microservices and distributed systems
• Experience implementing security, performance optimization, and monitoring strategies.

4. Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in:
• Computer Science
• Information Technology
• Software Engineering
• 3–5+ years hands-on experience in API development, integration engineering, or data engineering.
• Certifications in:
• Azure (e.g., AZ-204, AZ-900, DP-203)
• API Management or Integration tools