Software Developer (Mid-Senior | React & Node.js) - Cape Town

ATS Client; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

ATS Client in Cape Town is seeking a Mid‑Senior Software Developer to design, build, and maintain features across a modern full‑stack web platform. You will own features from specification through production, working across frontend, backend, database, and deployment layers.

You will work with a modern JavaScript/TypeScript stack including React frontend, Node.js/Express backend, PostgreSQL database, and CI/CD deployments.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2+ years of professional software development experience.

Responsibilities

• Translate product requirements and UI designs into production-ready features across the full stack.
• Build and maintain responsive frontend interfaces using modern component-based architecture.
• Develop and maintain RESTful APIs and backend services.
• Collaborate with engineers and stakeholders to deliver production-ready features.

Skills

JavaScript/TypeScript

Full-stack development

React

Node.js

REST APIs

CI/CD

Git

Problem-solving

Tools

React

Node.js

Express

PostgreSQL

Docker

GitHub Actions

Caddy

Nodemailer

Multer

Job description

Job Description

A growing technology team is seeking a Mid‑Senior Software Developer to design, build, and maintain features across a modern full‑stack web platform. The successful candidate will take ownership of features from specification through to production, working across frontend, backend, database, and deployment layers. This role requires a developer who is comfortable operating independently, making technical decisions, and delivering production‑ready features while collaborating closely with other engineers and stakeholders. You will work across a modern JavaScript/TypeScript stack, including a React‑based frontend, a Node.js/Express backend, and a PostgreSQL database, with CI/CD‑driven deployments and third‑party integrations.

Key Responsibilities

Full‑Stack Development

• Translate product requirements and UI designs into production‑ready features across the full stack
• Build and maintain responsive, accessible frontend interfaces using modern component‑based architecture
• Develop and maintain RESTful APIs and backend services

Frontend Development

• Build interfaces using React 18 with modern functional patterns and hooks
• Implement state management and data fetching using TanStack Query
• Develop forms using React Hook Form with Zod validation
• Work with Vite for frontend build tooling and environment configuration
• Implement UI components using TailwindCSS, Radix UI / shadcn/ui, and Framer Motion for animations
• Use React Router v6 for routing and navigation
• Integrate mapping functionality using Leaflet

Backend Development

• Build scalable APIs using Node.js and Express
• Implement authentication and session management using Better Auth (httpOnly cookies)
• Design secure middleware, validation layers, and error handling patterns
• Integrate services such as Nodemailer for transactional email workflows
• Handle file uploads and processing using Multer

Database & Architecture

• Design and maintain PostgreSQL 16 schemas
• Write efficient SQL queries using the pg driver
• Manage migrations and ensure data integrity, performance, and scalability

Payments & Integrations

• Implement PayFast payment integration, including ITN handling and signature validation
• Integrate third‑party APIs with secure credential handling and robust error management

DevOps & Deployment

• Manage Docker‑based environments using Docker Compose
• Configure and maintain reverse proxy services using Caddy with HTTPS
• Support CI/CD pipelines using self‑hosted GitHub Actions
• Ensure staging and production environments remain consistent

Security & Maintenance

• Apply security best practices including rate limiting, secure cookies, and input validation
• Use Helmet and similar middleware for HTTP security
• Monitor authentication systems and respond to security signals
• Debug and resolve production issues and system bugs

Engineering Practices

• Participate in code reviews and maintain high code quality standards
• Write clear commit messages and technical documentation
• Refactor legacy code to reduce technical debt
• Collaborate effectively in a Git‑based workflow

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum 2+ years of professional software development experience
• Proven experience delivering production‑grade full‑stack web applications
• Strong proficiency in JavaScript / TypeScript
• Experience working with Git‑based workflows (feature branches, pull requests, code reviews)
• Ability to independently deliver features from specification to deployment
• Strong problem‑solving ability and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• Proactive, accountable, and able to identify risks or blockers early

Technical Stack

• Frontend: React, Vite, TailwindCSS, React Router, TanStack Query, React Hook Form, Zod, Framer Motion, Leaflet, shadcn/ui, Radix UI
• Backend: Node.js, Express
• Database: PostgreSQL
• Auth: Better Auth (session‑based authentication using httpOnly cookies)
• Email: Nodemailer
• File Handling: Multer
• DevOps: Docker, Docker Compose, GitHub Actions, Caddy (reverse proxy with HTTPS)
• Payments: PayFast integration (ITN handling, signature validation)