805 Backend Developer jobs in South Africa

Hire Resolve's client is currently seeking a skilled and experienced Senior Backend Developer to join their team. You will be working with their senior developers to develop and maintain high-quality APIs for their web and mobile applications.

• Design, develop, and maintain efficient and scalable server-side applications
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand project requirements and translate them into technical specifications
• Write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code
• Optimize applications for maximum speed and scalability
• Implement and maintain security and data protection measures
• Perform code reviews and provide constructive feedback to other developers
• Stay updated with the latest industry trends and technologies
• Mentor and provide guidance to junior developers.

• Proven work experience as a Backend Developer or similar role
• Strong proficiency in Node.js
• Experience with backend frameworks such as Express.js
• Knowledge of database technologies like MySQL or MongoDB
• Understanding of RESTful APIs and microservices architecture
• Database ORM (Sequelize, TypeORM, Prisma, etc)
• Experience with DevOps skills like Docker and AWS (preferred, alternatively GCP, Azure)
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field

• Salary: R600K/yr - R960k/yr, negotiable

Contact Hire Resolve for your next career-changing move. Our client is offering a highly competitive salary for this role based on experience.

You can also visit the Hire Resolve website: hireresolve.us or email us your CV:

We will contact you telephonically in 3 days should you be suitable for this vacancy. If you are not suitable, we will put your CV on file and contact you regarding any future vacancies that arise.

Gopele is an AI-powered EdTech platform committed to democratizing education across South Africa and the broader African continent. Built to close learning gaps and promote concept mastery, Gopele delivers multilingual, curriculum-aligned content through an adaptive learning system that functions both online and offline. The platform is currently in live development with an MVP, and we’re working to scale its impact across rural and township schools.

About the Opportunity

Are you fascinated by startups and passionate about building clean, scalable backend systems that make a real-world impact? Gopele, an early-stage EdTech startup, is looking for a Python Backend Developer to build upon our existing codebase and help bring our inclusive learning platform to life.

We’ve already developed approximately one-third of our backend architecture and are now seeking a skilled developer to extend and optimize what’s been built. In this role, you’ll work closely with the broader team to improve our core infrastructure, develop robust APIs, and ensure data integrity and security across the platform.

This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with an existing product in active development, contribute to technical decisions, and help shape the digital foundation of a platform designed to expand access to learning and skills for underserved communities.

By joining Gopele, you’ll not only refine your backend development skills in a live project environment, but also contribute meaningfully to a mission that uses technology to create equity in education.

Key Activities

• Extend existing backend services built with Node.js, Express.js, and Python (FastAPI).
• Build and document robust RESTful APIs to serve web and mobile clients.
• Enhance database models for learners, lessons, assessments, and AI learner profiles using PostgreSQL.
• Integrate and scale AI recommendation services based on learner behavior and spaced repetition.
• Collaborate with frontend and data teams to ensure seamless system performance and data exchange.
• Implement authentication, authorization (JWT), and RBAC across platform modules.
• Contribute to CI/CD pipeline using GitHub Actions and support deployment on Firebase and AWS.

Requirements

• Proficiency in Python (FastAPI or Flask) and/or Node.js with Express.
• Strong understanding of relational databases (PostgreSQL).
• Familiarity with Git, GitHub workflows, and REST API development.
• Interest in EdTech, AI-powered systems, or educational equity.
• Self-starter with a collaborative mindset and attention to clean, scalable code.
• Bonus: Exposure to Firebase, Docker, and microservices architecture.

Duration

• 3 hours per day, Monday to Friday
• Fully remote

Acquired Skills

• Practical experience working with an active EdTech MVP and scalable backend architecture.
• API-first design thinking for real-time classroom and learner analytics.
• Deployment and CI/CD pipeline integration.Experience contributing to a socially impactful, award-nominated education startup.

Upon successful completion, you will receive:

• A public testimonial for your SkilledUp Life profile
• A personalized LinkedIn and CV reference
• Permission to list Gopele as a contributing company on your portfolio

Disclaimer

This is a volunteer role—there is no financial compensation, guarantee of future paid employment, or taxable benefits. However, the value lies in real-world experience, portfolio expansion, and social impact at scale.

Fouche Road, Centurion, City of Tshwane, Gauteng, 0157

It is illegal to copy, scrape or download data and information from SkilledUp Life including Volunteer Profiles, Opportunities and Company Profiles without explicit written permission.

MyHQ at Bridgeway House, Mellor Road, Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester, SK8 5AU, United Kingdom

Innovation Centre, Sci-Tech Daresbury, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, WA4 4FS, United Kingdom.

• Strong experience in backend software development, using languages such as Go and Java .
• Deep understanding of service-oriented architectures, RESTful APIs, and microservices design patterns.
• Proficiency with Unix/Linux systems, relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle), and query optimization.
• Experience with cloud technologies (AWS, Google Cloud) and containerization tools such as Docker and Kubernetes.
• Familiarity with cryptographic algorithms, security best practices, and secure coding principles.
• Understanding of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), Test-Driven Development (TDD), Continuous Integration/Delivery (CI/CD), and DevOps practices.
• Previous experience working in financial services is highly desirable.
• Strong problem-solving mindset, with a drive for innovation and continuous learning.
• Experience working in Agile environments (Scrum, Kanban).

• Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field (essential).
• Fluency in English and Portuguese (essential).
• Industry certifications in Java, Go, or other backend technologies (desirable).
• Security certifications such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) or CompTIA Security+ (desirable).

Gopele is an AI-powered EdTech platform committed to democratizing education across South Africa and the broader African continent. Built to close learning gaps and promote concept mastery, Gopele delivers multilingual, curriculum-aligned content through an adaptive learning system that functions both online and offline. The platform is currently in live development with an MVP, and we’re working to scale its impact across rural and township schools.

About the Opportunity

Are you fascinated by startups and passionate about building clean, scalable backend systems that make a real-world impact? Gopele, an early-stage EdTech startup, is looking for a Python Backend Developer to build upon our existing codebase and help bring our inclusive learning platform to life.

We’ve already developed approximately one-third of our backend architecture and are now seeking a skilled developer to extend and optimize what’s been built. In this role, you’ll work closely with the broader team to improve our core infrastructure, develop robust APIs, and ensure data integrity and security across the platform.

This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with an existing product in active development, contribute to technical decisions, and help shape the digital foundation of a platform designed to expand access to learning and skills for underserved communities.

By joining Gopele, you’ll not only refine your backend development skills in a live project environment, but also contribute meaningfully to a mission that uses technology to create equity in education.

Key Activities

• Extend existing backend services built with Node.js, Express.js, and Python (FastAPI).
• Build and document robust RESTful APIs to serve web and mobile clients.
• Enhance database models for learners, lessons, assessments, and AI learner profiles using PostgreSQL.
• Integrate and scale AI recommendation services based on learner behavior and spaced repetition.
• Collaborate with frontend and data teams to ensure seamless system performance and data exchange.
• Implement authentication, authorization (JWT), and RBAC across platform modules.
• Contribute to CI/CD pipeline using GitHub Actions and support deployment on Firebase and AWS.

Requirements

• Proficiency in Python (FastAPI or Flask) and/or Node.js with Express.
• Strong understanding of relational databases (PostgreSQL).
• Familiarity with Git, GitHub workflows, and REST API development.
• Interest in EdTech, AI-powered systems, or educational equity.
• Self-starter with a collaborative mindset and attention to clean, scalable code.
• Bonus: Exposure to Firebase, Docker, and microservices architecture.

Duration

• 3 hours per day, Monday to Friday
• Fully remote

Acquired Skills

• Practical experience working with an active EdTech MVP and scalable backend architecture.
• API-first design thinking for real-time classroom and learner analytics.
• Deployment and CI/CD pipeline integration.Experience contributing to a socially impactful, award-nominated education startup.

Upon successful completion, you will receive:

• A public testimonial for your SkilledUp Life profile
• A personalized LinkedIn and CV reference
• Permission to list Gopele as a contributing company on your portfolio

Disclaimer

This is a volunteer role—there is no financial compensation, guarantee of future paid employment, or taxable benefits. However, the value lies in real-world experience, portfolio expansion, and social impact at scale.

Fouche Road, Centurion, City of Tshwane, Gauteng, 0157

It is illegal to copy, scrape or download data and information from SkilledUp Life including Volunteer Profiles, Opportunities and Company Profiles without explicit written permission.

MyHQ at Bridgeway House, Mellor Road, Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester, SK8 5AU, United Kingdom

Innovation Centre, Sci-Tech Daresbury, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, WA4 4FS, United Kingdom.