Software Engineer (Python) - Supply Chain

takealot.com; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Purpose-driven impact

Advanced technology

Career growth

Inclusive culture

Job summary

Takealot Fulfilment Solutions (TFS) in Cape Town seeks a Software Engineer to build robust software for our fast-paced e-commerce logistics platform. You will design and implement solutions, collaborate with teams, and apply best practices to production code.

We value strong CS fundamentals, Python proficiency, Linux, SQL, and experience with Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD tools. This role involves after-hours support on rotation in a 24/7 operation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or Advanced Diploma in Computer Science, Mathematics or Engineering or equivalent experience in software development.
• Thorough understanding of CS fundamentals, including OOP, data structures and algorithms.
• 3–6 years experience in a software development role for an intermediate position.
• 5–10+ years experience in a software development role for a senior position.
• Experience writing robust, production-grade code in Python, with Linux development experience.
• Experience with SQL databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MS SQL).
• Open to diversifying language skill set.

Responsibilities

• Design and build solutions to assist business users and improve customer experience.
• Architect and design solutions with your team.
• Keep up to date with technology trends.
• Apply creative thinking to solve complex challenges at scale.
• Contribute to making takealot.com the best place to shop; ensure customer satisfaction.
• Drive for excellence to foster a world-class engineering team.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Strong communication

Disaggregate problems

Quantitative skills

Professional interaction

Idea presentation

Learn by doing

Education

Bachelor's Degree in CS/Math/Engineering

Advanced Diploma in a related field

Tools

Python

Linux

SQL Databases

MySQL

PostgreSQL

MS SQL

Docker

Kubernetes

GitHub

Travis CI

Jenkins

AWS

GCP

Azure

Kafka

RabbitMQ

Memcached

Redis

Job description

Join Our Mission at Takealot Fulfilment Solutions | We Are TFS

Revolutionising e-commerce logistics in South Africa with cutting-edge technology and operational excellence. We deliver 30+ million orders annually, empowering businesses and driving economic growth.

Who We're Looking For:

Innovative, ambitious individuals ready to shape the future of e-commerce logistics. At TFS, "Uniquely You" meets "Powerfully Us", where your individuality strengthens our collective mission.

Who's who in the tech space

This position reports to the respective team's manager.

As a Software Engineer, you will be someone whose expertise directly translates into the development of robust software in the e-commerce domain. You will be from a computer science background with an emphasis on software development. You will have the opportunity to implement best practices to improve existing software and participate in the development of new features. While we don't promote after-hours work as part of the regular workday, we run a 24/7 business with the need to keep systems up and running. Software Engineers are expected to provide after‑hours support on a rotational basis to resolve critical system issues.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it:

• Design and build solutions to assist our business users and improve customer experience
• Architect and design solutions with your team
• Keep up to date with technology trends
• Apply creative thought processes to solve complex challenges at scale
• Strong focus on making takealot.com the best place to shop at, a happy customer is a repeat customer
• Drive for excellence, to help foster a world‑class engineering team

The skills we need:

• Solutions-oriented, can‑do attitude, and high energy
• Strong analytical and critical thinking, using data to inform decisions
• Ability to disaggregate and structure solutions to ambiguous problems
• Solid quantitative skills
• Ability to interview and interact professionally, with internal and external people
• Capability to present ideas succinctly, in writing and verbally
• Versatile and with the appetite to learn by doing

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree or Advanced Diploma in Computer Science, Mathematics or Engineering or equivalent experience in software development.
• A thorough understanding of computer science fundamentals, including object‑oriented design, data structures and algorithms
• 3 to 6 years experience in a software development role for an intermediate‑level position
• 5 to 10+ years experience in a software development role for a senior‑level position
• Experience in writing robust, efficient production code
• Proficient in a strongly typed language such as Python
• Experience with development in a Linux environment
• Experience with SQL database systems
• Open to diversifying language skill set
• Experience in the following will be advantageous:
  • MySQL, PostgreSQL, MS SQL
  • Memcached, Redis
  • Message Brokers, Queues and PubSub systems (e.g. Kafka and RabbitMQ)
  • Containerisation (e.g. Docker)
  • Orchestration (e.g. Kubernetes)
  • GitHub, Travis CI, Jenkins
  • AWS, GCP, Azure
  • Microservices

Why Join TFS:

• Purpose-driven impact: Transform lives through logistics innovation
• Advanced technology: Work with cutting‑edge systems in a fast‑paced environment
• Career growth: Thrive in an agile space that champions continuous improvement
• Inclusive culture: Your unique perspective drives extraordinary results

At TFS, your growth is our growth. You'll be joining a team powered by Takealot Group's core values.

More than just a job, we offer:

A culture that celebrates individual uniqueness while championing the strength of togetherness. Be part of creating sustainable, scalable solutions that make a difference across South Africa's e-commerce landscape.

Takealot Fulfilment Solutions (TFS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants from previously disadvantaged groups and people with disabilities will be given preference.