413 Ruby On Rails jobs in South Africa

We're Hiring: Principal Software Engineer (Ruby on Rails)

Hybrid Role (3 Days in Office / 2 Days Remote)

We're looking for a highly skilled
Principal Software Engineer
with deep expertise in
Ruby on Rails
to take a
lead role
in designing, architecting, and delivering scalable, secure, and high-performing web applications. This is a
hands-on technical leadership role
, ideal for someone who enjoys both coding and guiding a talented engineering team toward excellence.

You'll collaborate closely with product owners and business stakeholders, shaping the technical direction and ensuring our products remain at the forefront of innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, coach, and mentor a team of software engineers, fostering a collaborative, high-performance environment
• Oversee and guide all architectural and design decisions with a focus on scalable, maintainable Ruby on Rails solutions
• Act as the technical authority and product advocate, ensuring systems stay aligned with the latest market, security, and compliance standards
• Drive best practices in cloud-native architecture, CI/CD, and agile delivery
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business requirements into robust, technical solutions
• Maintain oversight of infrastructure performance, cost efficiency, and operational excellence

Skills & Experience Required:

• Extensive hands-on experience with Ruby on Rails
  — designing, building, and scaling complex web applications
• Strong knowledge of cloud infrastructure (AWS or Azure) and containerisation technologies
• Solid understanding of PostgreSQL and database optimisation
• Proven track record in building and maintaining RESTful APIs
• Familiarity with C#, HTML5/CSS3, and modern JavaScript frameworks (React, Vue, or similar)
• Comfortable working in Linux or OS-X environments
• Demonstrated experience leading, managing, and mentoring technical teams

Are you a Full Stack Engineer with a passion for creating high-quality, scalable applications? We're searching for a skilled engineer to join a leading software provider focused on advancing technology for the automotive industry. This is an exciting opportunity to work remotely on an innovative product used by dealerships to drive efficiency and enhance customer relationships.

Position Overview

In this role, you'll lead the development, maintenance, and optimization of a sophisticated B2B application, contributing to its ongoing scalability and security. You'll collaborate closely with a talented team of product managers, designers, and engineers, focusing on expanding features and refining the platform's overall architecture.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of a scalable, high-quality web application using
  Ruby on Rails
  .
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and launch new features across web and mobile platforms.
• Optimize frontend performance, leveraging
  JavaScript
  frameworks like
  Turbo
  and
  Stimulus
  .
• Integrate third-party services, including
  Twilio, SendGrid,
  and
  Stripe
  .
• Maintain infrastructure hosted on
  Heroku
  and
  AWS
  , ensuring stability, security, and scalability.
• Manage
  AWS Aurora
  databases for efficient data access and reliability.
• Enforce code quality and security standards, using tools like
  Brakeman
  and
  Dependabot
  .
• Champion CI/CD processes, including automated testing and robust deployment.
• Mentor junior engineers and participate in code reviews to maintain quality standards.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years as a Full Stack Engineer, with strong expertise in
  Ruby on Rails
  .
• Proficiency in
  JavaScript
  (jQuery, Stimulus) and frontend development.
• Experience with database management, particularly
  MySQL
  or
  AWS
  .
• Hands-on experience with
  Heroku
  ,
  AWS services
  , and
  infrastructure as code
  (Terraform).
• Proven experience with
  CI/CD pipelines
  , automated testing, and GitHub workflows.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work both independently and within a team.
• High attention to detail in maintaining code quality and security standards.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Experience with third-party integrations (Twilio, SendGrid, Stripe, etc.).
• Familiarity with
  Airbrake
  ,
  NewRelic
  , search technologies like
  ElasticSearch
  , and caching (Redis, Memcached).
• Knowledge of responsive design principles and mobile web app development.
• Background in Dealer Management Systems (DMS) integrations or vehicle data processing.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Flexible, remote-friendly work environment
• Opportunities for professional development and learning

Key Responsibilities:

Full-Stack Development

• 
  

  Design, develop, and maintain high-performance Ruby on Rails applications, handling both backend and frontend components.

  
  


• 
  

  Build and optimize RESTful APIs, database schemas, and user interfaces to ensure seamless functionality and user experience.

  
  


• 
  

  Implement responsive, accessible frontend designs using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks like React, Vue.js, or similar.

  
  

Code Quality and Best Practices:

• 
  

  Write clean, efficient, and well-documented code following Ruby on Rails conventions and industry best practices.

  
  


• 
  

  Conduct code reviews to ensure consistency, performance, and adherence to coding standards.

  
  


• 
  

  Refactor legacy code to improve maintainability, scalability, and performance.

  
  

Test-Driven Development (TDD):

• 
  

  Develop and maintain comprehensive test suites using tools like RSpec, Minitest, or Capybara to ensure robust code quality.

  
  


• 
  

  Implement best-practice test cases, including unit, integration, and end-to-end tests, to minimize bugs and regressions.

  
  


• 
  

  Advocate for and enforce a culture of TDD within the development team.

  
  

Leadership and Management:

• 
  

  Lead and mentor a team of developers, providing technical guidance and fostering a collaborative, high-performing environment.

  
  


• 
  

  Manage project timelines, delegate tasks, and ensure on-time delivery of features and releases.

  
  


• 
  

  Collaborate with product managers, designers, and stakeholders to translate requirements into technical specifications.

  
  

System Optimization and Scalability:

• 
  

  Optimize application performance through efficient database queries, caching strategies, and server-side improvements.

  
  


• 
  

  Ensure applications are secure, scalable, and maintainable, adhering to best practices for cloud-based deployments.

  
  


• 
  

  Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues in production environments.

  
  

Collaboration and Communication:

• 
  

  Work closely with cross-functional teams to align development efforts with business objectives.

  
  


• 
  

  Communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders, providing updates on progress and risks.

  
  


• 
  

  Contribute to Agile/Scrum processes, including sprint planning, stand-ups, and retrospectives.

  
  

Qualifications and Skills:

Education:

• 
  

  Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

  
  

Experience:

• 
  

  8+ years of professional experience developing Ruby on Rails applications, with at least 2 years in a senior or lead role.

  
  


• 
  

  Proven full-stack development experience, including frontend frameworks (e.g., React, Vue.js, or Angular) and backend systems.

  
  


• 
  

  2+ years of technical leadership or management experience, including mentoring developers and managing projects.

  
  

Technical Proficiency:

• 
  

  Expert-level knowledge of Ruby on Rails, including MVC architecture, ActiveRecord, and Rails 6/7 features.

  
  


• 
  

  Strong experience with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and query optimization.

  
  


• 
  

  Proficiency in frontend technologies: HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and modern frameworks.

  
  


• 
  

  Familiarity with testing frameworks (e.g., RSpec, Minitest, Capybara) and best practices for TDD/BDD.

  
  


• 
  

  Experience with version control (Git), CI/CD pipelines, and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Heroku, or Azure).

  
  

Code Quality:

• 
  

  Demonstrated ability to write clean, modular, and efficient code with a focus on maintainability.

  
  


• 
  

  Deep understanding of design patterns, SOLID principles, and RESTful architecture.

  
  


• 
  

  Familiarity with code testing applications such as Circle CI and Code Climate.

  
  


• 
  

  Bug identification via Airbrake.

  
  

Soft Skills:

• 
  

  Strong leadership and mentoring abilities, with a track record of building cohesive teams.

  
  


• 
  

  Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

  
  


• 
  

  Effective communication skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts to diverse audiences.

  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• 
  

  BSc Computer Science.

  
  


• 
  

  Familiarity with DevOps tools (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes, Ansible) and infrastructure as code.

  
  


• 
  

  Contributions to open-source Ruby/Rails projects or a strong GitHub portfolio.

  
  


• 
  

  Agile/Scrum certification (e.g., Certified Scrum Developer) or experience leading Agile teams.

  
  

Step into a Principal Engineer role with a global product team that’s scaling next-generation ERP and business management platforms used across automotive, retail, and wholesale distribution worldwide.

This is an opportunity for a seasoned engineer who loves elegant solutions, thrives on solving complex problems, and gets excited about building at cloud scale

What you’ll do

• Architect & build scalable, production-grade apps in Ruby on Rails .
• Design secure, high-performance RESTful APIs powering global platforms.
• Lead technical direction — mentor engineers, shape architecture, and influence decisions.
• Deploy and optimise cloud-native solutions in AWS (and/or Azure).
• Collaborate closely with stakeholders to deliver impactful, user-focused solutions

What we’re after

• Proven Ruby on Rails expertise on high-traffic systems.
• Strong AWS/Azure knowledge and hands-on Docker/Kubernetes containerisation.
• Advanced PostgreSQL skills, including query tuning and performance optimisation.
• Solid grounding in secure-by-design principles.
• Bonus points for exposure to:
• C# , modern JS frameworks (React , Vue , Angular , Ember )
• HTML5/CSS3 , Linux/OSX CLI
• AI/ML integration
• Ability to influence, simplify, and communicate technical direction clearly

The deal

• Ref: GZ60805
• Type: Permanent | Hybrid, based in Cape Town
• Compensation: Up to R1.5m per annum CTC (negotiable)

Apply:
Call:
More roles:
Referral bonus: Cash rewards for successful referrals.

We’re looking for a Principal Software Engineer / Architect to join a leading global software house expanding its footprint in South Africa. You’ll play a key role in designing, building, and scaling next-generation ERP and business management solutions used worldwide across automotive, retail, and wholesale distribution sectors.

This role is perfect for a senior engineer who thrives on complex problem-solving, loves clean architecture, and enjoys working across cloud, containers, and modern frameworks.

What You’ll Do:

• Architect and develop scalable web applications in Ruby on Rails.
• Build and optimise cloud-native solutions in AWS and/or Azure.
• Design and deliver secure, high-performance RESTful APIs.
• Guide and mentor team members, providing technical leadership and architectural vision.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to deliver impactful, user-focused solutions

What We’re Looking For:

• Proven track record in Ruby on Rails application development.
• Strong knowledge of AWS/Azure cloud infrastructure and containerisation (Docker/Kubernetes).
• Advanced experience with PostgreSQL and database optimization
• Solid grounding in secure-by-design principles
• Bonus points for exposure to:
• C#, JavaScript frameworks (React, Vue, Angular, Ember)
• HTML5/CSS3, Linux/OSX command line
• AI/ML applications
• Ability to build trusted relationships, influence stakeholders, and provide clear technical guidance.

The Deal:

• Reference number: GZ60805
• Permanent role, hybrid in Bryanston, Cape Town, or Durban
• Salary: up to R1.6m per annum CTC (negotiable depending on experience)

 The E-Merge IT Recruitment team are specialists in software and tech talent. We connect top developers with the right companies. Visit for more great roles.

 Know someone perfect for this role? We pay cash for successful referrals!

Location:
Pretoria / Johannesburg, South Africa | Hybrid

About Us

At , we're on a mission to make quality supply chain optimisation accessible to businesses of all sizes through our cutting-edge optimisation software, business intelligence solutions, and consulting services. As a fast-growing startup, we're passionate about creating impactful solutions that improve how businesses operate.

Role Overview

We're looking for a driven and talented
Software Engineer (Full Stack)
to join us as a part of our growing team at This is an exciting opportunity to grow with us, learn quickly, and help deliver quality software and services to our customers. You'll work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving are at the heart of everything we do.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build and maintain our cloud-based supply chain optimisation software.
• Collaborate with our Industrial Engineers to understand the needs of businesses in logistics and supply chain and convert these requirements into a robust cloud-based optimisation solution.
• Continuously evaluate and optimise our codebase to ensure the use of the best technologies and practices.

What We're Looking For

• A high level of curiosity and the ability to apply first principles thinking when tackling new challenges.
• Strong analytical skills with a comfort for iterative problem-solving.
• Experience in logistics and supply chain is beneficial but not essential.
• Experience working with geospatial data is beneficial but not essential.
• A strong sense of pride in delivering high-quality work.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or equivalent practical experience.
• 0 – 3 years' experience working as a developer.

The technologies you will work on:

• PostgreSQL
• Python / Django
• React / Javascript
• Github
• Azure

Your input on tech stack preferences is encouraged—we value technically sound decision-making

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a growing company where you can influence its direction.
• Solve complex, abstract problems that challenge you and allow for rapid learning.
• Work in a flexible, hybrid environment with opportunities to make a real impact.

Don't miss this opportunity to grow and thrive in a supportive and exciting workplace.

Apply today and start your journey with us

About our Team

LexisNexis Legal & Professional, which serves customers in more than 150 countries with 11,800 employees worldwide, is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. Our company has been a long-time leader in deploying AI and advanced technologies to the legal market to improve productivity and transform the overall business and practice of law, deploying ethical and powerful generative AI solutions with a flexible, multi-model approach that prioritizes using the best model from today's top model creators for each individual legal use case.

About the Role

As a Software Engineer, you will perform moderate research, design, and software development assignments within a specific software functional area or product line. In this role, you will have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies and innovative projects that will shape the future of our products. You will collaborate with a dynamic team of talented engineers, designers, and product managers to create high-quality software solutions that meet the needs of our customers.

Responsibilities

• Writing and reviewing portions of detailed specifications for the development of system components of moderate complexity, ensuring they meet quality standards.
• Completing simple bug fixes to improve the stability and performance of our software.
• Working closely with other development team members to understand product requirements and translate them into effective software designs.
• Operating in various development environments (Agile, Waterfall, etc.) while collaborating with key stakeholders to ensure project success.
• Resolving technical issues as necessary to maintain smooth and efficient operation of our software.
• Keeping abreast of new technology developments to continuously improve your skills and knowledge.
• Performing all other duties as assigned to contribute to the overall success of the team and the company.

Requirements

• Have a BSC computer science degree or equivalent.
• Have professional experience in software engineering.
• Have experience with development in python and cloud technologies such as AWS
• Be familiar with Agile and Waterfall methodologies.
• Be able to analyze and resolve technical challenges efficiently.
• Be able to work effectively with internal and external technology teams.
• Have strong written and verbal communication skills.

Work in a way that works for you

We promote a healthy work/life balance across the organisation. We offer an appealing working prospect for our people. With numerous wellbeing initiatives, shared parental leave, study assistance and sabbaticals, we will help you meet your immediate responsibilities and your long-term goals.

• Working flexible hours - flexing the times when you work in the day to help you fit everything in and work when you are the most productive

Working for you

We know that your well-being and happiness are key to a long and successful career. These are some of the benefits we are delighted to offer:

• Medical Aid
• Retirement Plan inclusive of Risk Benefits (Disability, Critical Illness, Life Cover & Funeral Cover)
• Modern family benefits, including adoption and surrogacy
• Study Leave

About the Business

LexisNexis Legal & Professional provides legal, regulatory, and business information and analytics that help customers increase their productivity, improve decision-making, achieve better outcomes, and advance the rule of law around the world. As a digital pioneer, the company was the first to bring legal and business information online with its Lexis and Nexis services.

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We are an equal opportunity employer: qualified applicants are considered for and treated during employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, disability status, protected veteran status, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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**Don't miss this opportunity to grow and thrive in a supportive and exciting workplace.

Apply today and start your journey with us
About Our Team**
LexisNexis Legal & Professional, which serves customers in more than 150 countries with 11,800 employees worldwide, is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. Our company has been a long-time leader in deploying AI and advanced technologies to the legal market to improve productivity and transform the overall business and practice of law, deploying ethical and powerful generative AI solutions with a flexible, multi-model approach that prioritizes using the best model from today's top model creators for each individual legal use case.

About The Role
As a Software Engineer, you will perform moderate research, design, and software development assignments within a specific software functional area or product line. In this role, you will have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies and innovative projects that will shape the future of our products. You will collaborate with a dynamic team of talented engineers, designers, and product managers to create high-quality software solutions that meet the needs of our customers.

Responsibilities

• Writing and reviewing portions of detailed specifications for the development of system components of moderate complexity, ensuring they meet quality standards.
• Completing simple bug fixes to improve the stability and performance of our software.
• Working closely with other development team members to understand product requirements and translate them into effective software designs.
• Operating in various development environments (Agile, Waterfall, etc.) while collaborating with key stakeholders to ensure project success.
• Resolving technical issues as necessary to maintain smooth and efficient operation of our software.
• Keeping abreast of new technology developments to continuously improve your skills and knowledge.
• Performing all other duties as assigned to contribute to the overall success of the team and the company.

Requirements

• Have a BSC computer science degree or equivalent.
• Have professional experience in software engineering.
• Have experience with development in python and cloud technologies such as AWS
• Be familiar with Agile and Waterfall methodologies.
• Be able to analyze and resolve technical challenges efficiently.
• Be able to work effectively with internal and external technology teams.
• Have strong written and verbal communication skills.

Work in a way that works for you
We promote a healthy work/life balance across the organisation. We offer an appealing working prospect for our people. With numerous wellbeing initiatives, shared parental leave, study assistance and sabbaticals, we will help you meet your immediate responsibilities and your long-term goals.

• Working flexible hours - flexing the times when you work in the day to help you fit everything in and work when you are the most productive

Working for you
Benefits
We know that your well-being and happiness are key to a long and successful career. These are some of the benefits we are delighted to offer:

• Medical Aid
• Retirement Plan inclusive of Risk Benefits (Disability, Critical Illness, Life Cover & Funeral Cover)
• Modern family benefits, including adoption and surrogacy
• Study Leave

About The Business
LexisNexis Legal & Professional provides legal, regulatory, and business information and analytics that help customers increase their productivity, improve decision-making, achieve better outcomes, and advance the rule of law around the world. As a digital pioneer, the company was the first to bring legal and business information online with its Lexis and Nexis services.

About the Role

We are looking for a skilled Java Developer to join our team. You will play a key role in designing, developing, and maintaining scalable software solutions. Working closely with cross-functional teams, you will be responsible for writing clean, efficient, and testable code while contributing to system architecture and performance improvements.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain Java-based applications.
• Write clean, efficient, and maintainable code following best practices.
• Collaborate with product owners, designers, and other engineers to deliver high-quality features.
• Debug, troubleshoot, and resolve software defects.
• Participate in code reviews to ensure code quality and knowledge sharing.
• Implement unit tests and contribute to automated testing strategies.
• Stay up to date with emerging Java technologies and frameworks.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Proven experience as a Java Developer or Software Engineer.
• Strong understanding of Java SE/EE, object-oriented programming, and design patterns.
• Experience with Spring / Spring Boot frameworks.
• Familiarity with RESTful APIs and microservices architecture.
• Working knowledge of relational databases (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server).
• Experience with version control systems (Git, Azure DevOps, or similar).
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work in an Agile development environment.

Nice to Have

• Experience with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, or GCP).
• Familiarity with containerization tools (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Exposure to frontend frameworks (Angular, React, or Vue) is a bonus.
• Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and automated deployment.

What We Offer

• An opportunity to work on impactful projects with a passionate team.
• Flexible working arrangements and a collaborative environment.
• Continuous learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.