System Analyst jobs in South Africa

Summary: Our client in the retail software industry is looking for Senior Systems Analyst to join their team.

The Senior Systems Analyst is responsible for structuring, governing, and operationalising the organisation’s Code Management System across all projects.

This role ensures that:

• Every project is consistently modelled in terms of processes, functions, sub-functions, data concepts, and domains
• Specifications are captured in a machine-readable, AI-ready structure
• Technical and non-technical contributors can accurately populate the system
• The system evolves towards its long-term goal: serving as a complete, authoritative input to large language models capable of designing and generating full production systems

This is a foundational role in preparing the organisation for AI-assisted and AI generated software delivery.

This role is not about managing code repositories.

It is about:

• Managing the thinking behind the code
• Creating a system where human intent, system design, and AI execution can meet
• Laying the groundwork for a future where: Systems are described once Implementations are generated, tested, and evolved automatically

The individual in this role will quietly shape how every future system is built.

• Core technical understanding

Strong understanding of software architecture concepts, including:

• Backend systems
• APIs and integrations
• Data storage (relational databases, JSON, events)
• Cloud-based systems (especially AWS concepts)
• Ability to reason about systems end-to-end, not just code
• Domain and systems thinking

Comfortable working across multiple domains, such as:

• Accounting and data
• Retail and POS systems
• OCR and document processing
• Workflow and state machines
• Security, compliance, and audit
• Able to abstract complex real-world behaviour into clean, structured models
• Specification and modelling capability

Proven ability to:

• Write clear, unambiguous specifications
• Decompose systems into processes and functions
• Define inputs, outputs, and data contracts
• Experience with modelling approaches such as: Functional decomposition, Domain-driven thinking, Event-driven or state-based systems
• Communication and enablement

Able to work with:

• Developers
• Product owners
• Non-technical spec writers
• Can explain complex system concepts clearly and patiently
• Comfortable enforcing standards while remaining collaborative
• Desirable (but not mandatory)

Exposure to:

• AI / LLM-based systems
• Prompt or structured AI inputs
• Model-driven or low-code platforms
• Experience creating:
• Internal engineering standards
• Modelling frameworks
• Developer enablement documentation

Mindset and personal attributes

• Extremely structured thinker
• High attention to conceptual detail
• Strong sense of ownership and responsibility
• Comfortable operating without rigid precedents
• Interested in where software development is going, not just where it is today

• Employment Equity: In line with our client’s Employment Equity Plan, preference will be given to suitably qualified South African citizens.
• Communication: Strong English communication skills are required. A basic understanding of Afrikaans will be an advantage.
• Application Process: Please include your current salary and salary expectations with your application. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not received a response within 30 days,