Software Engineer: Back End

ATS Client; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

ATS Client in Cape Town seeks a Senior Back End Software Engineer with strong Java expertise to design, build, and operate scalable cloud-native systems on AWS. You will lead a cross-functional team, delivering robust backend services and guiding other engineers through production deployments and maintenance.

Required 6+ years in backend development, solid REST API, SQL, and microservices experience. The role emphasizes performance, reliability and future growth within a dynamic digital

Qualifications

• 6+ years' experience in back-end software development.
• Strong experience delivering production systems end to end.
• Minimum: Grade 12 National Certificate / Vocational.
• Preferred: Relevant tertiary qualification in Information Technology.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, test and operate scalable, cloud native systems on AWS
• Architect modern, reusable services aligned to AWS Well Architected principles
• Build and maintain event‑driven and microservices based architectures
• Deliver simple, elegant solutions powering airtime, data, rewards and smartphone journeys
• Optimise databases and APIs for performance, reliability and scale
• Collaborate closely with product, QA and platform teams
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to other engineers
• Help shape new connectivity products used by millions of clients

Skills

Java

REST APIs

SQL

AWS

Kubernetes

Education

Grade 12 National Certificate / Vocational

Bachelors in IT / related field

Tools

Spring Boot

PostgreSQL

Kafka

RabbitMQ

AWS

Docker

Job description

One of South Africa's Banking Giants is looking for a Software Engineer: Back-End with expertise in Java and Kafka/RabbitMQ to join their team.

In this department, our client builds and operates the platforms behind:

• Mobile connectivity services
• Airtime, data and rewards journeys
• Smartphone sales and digital enablement

All of this is deeply integrated into their broader digital ecosystem, allowing them to continuously launch new products as the MVNO grows.

The Role

As a Senior Back End Software Engineer, you'll play a key role in a cross‑functional product team, owning the full software development lifecycle from design and build, through deployment, to operating systems in production. You'll help design and deliver scalable, resilient back‑end systems that prioritise performance, reliability and future growth, while also guiding and supporting other engineers.

What You'll Be Doing

• Design, build, test and operate scalable, cloud native systems on AWS
• Architect modern, reusable services aligned to AWS Well Architected principles
• Build and maintain event‑driven and microservices based architectures
• Deliver simple, elegant solutions powering airtime, data, rewards and smartphone journeys
• Optimise databases and APIs for performance, reliability and scale
• Collaborate closely with product, QA and platform teams
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to other engineers
• Help shape new connectivity products used by millions of clients

Role Requirements:

• Minimum: Grade 12 National Certificate / Vocational
• Preferred: Relevant tertiary qualification in Information Technology
• 6+ years' experience in back‑end software development
• Strong experience delivering production systems end to end

Solid understanding of:

• Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
• RESTful API design and integration
• Advanced programming concepts, algorithms and data structures
• Design patterns and testing practices
• SQL database design and query optimisation
• Cloud platforms (AWS preferred)
• Microservices and event‑driven architectures
• Containerisation and deployment (e.g. Kubernetes)
• Tech Stack (Core)
• Java
• Spring Boot
• AWS
• Kafka
• PostgreSQL

Skills

• Analytical Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Communications Skills
• Interpersonal & Relationship management Skills
• Problem solving skills