Software Developer (Mid-Senior | React & Node.js) - Cape Town

A growing technology team is seeking a Mid–Senior Software Developer to design, build, and maintain features across a modern full-stack web platform. The successful candidate will take ownership of features from specification through to production, working across frontend, backend, database, and deployment layers.

This role requires a developer who is comfortable operating independently, making technical decisions, and delivering production-ready features while collaborating closely with other engineers and stakeholders.

You will work across a modern JavaScript/TypeScript stack, including a React-based frontend, a Node.js/Express backend, and a PostgreSQL database, with CI/CD-driven deployments and third-party integrations.

Full-Stack Development

• Translate product requirements and UI designs into production-ready features across the full stack
  
• Build and maintain responsive, accessible frontend interfaces using modern component-based architecture
  
• Develop and maintain RESTful APIs and backend services
  

Frontend Development

• Build interfaces using React 18 with modern functional patterns and hooks
  
• Implement state management and data fetching using TanStack Query
  
• Develop forms using React Hook Form with Zod validation
  
• Work with Vite for frontend build tooling and environment configuration
  
• Implement UI components using TailwindCSS, Radix UI / shadcn/ui, and Framer Motion for animations
  
• Use React Router v6 for routing and navigation
  
• Integrate mapping functionality using Leaflet
  

Backend Development

• Build scalable APIs using Node.js and Express
  
• Implement authentication and session management using Better Auth (httpOnly cookies)
  
• Design secure middleware, validation layers, and error handling patterns
  
• Integrate services such as Nodemailer for transactional email workflows
  
• Handle file uploads and processing using Multer
  

Database & Architecture

• Design and maintain PostgreSQL 16 schemas
  
• Write efficient SQL queries using the pg driver
  
• Manage migrations and ensure data integrity, performance, and scalability
  

Payments & Integrations

• Implement PayFast payment integration, including ITN handling and signature validation
  
• Integrate third-party APIs with secure credential handling and robust error management
  

DevOps & Deployment

• Manage Docker-based environments using Docker Compose
  
• Configure and maintain reverse proxy services using Caddy with HTTPS
  
• Support CI/CD pipelines using self-hosted GitHub Actions
  
• Ensure staging and production environments remain consistent
  

Security & Maintenance

• Apply security best practices including rate limiting, secure cookies, and input validation
  
• Use Helmet and similar middleware for HTTP security
  
• Monitor authentication systems and respond to security signals
  
• Debug and resolve production issues and system bugs
  

Engineering Practices

• Participate in code reviews and maintain high code quality standards
  
• Write clear commit messages and technical documentation
  
• Refactor legacy code to reduce technical debt
  
• Collaborate effectively in a Git-based workflow
  

• Minimum 2+ years of professional software development experience
  
• Proven experience delivering production-grade full-stack web applications
  
• Strong proficiency in JavaScript / TypeScript
  
• Experience working with Git-based workflows (feature branches, pull requests, code reviews)
  
• Ability to independently deliver features from specification to deployment
  
• Strong problem-solving ability and attention to detail
  
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
  
• Proactive, accountable, and able to identify risks or blockers early
  

• Frontend: React, Vite, TailwindCSS, React Router, TanStack Query, React Hook Form, Zod, Framer Motion, Leaflet, shadcn/ui, Radix UI
  
• Backend: Node.js, Express
  
• Database: PostgreSQL
  
• Auth: Better Auth (session-based authentication using httpOnly cookies)
  
• Email: Nodemailer
  
• File Handling: Multer
  
• DevOps: Docker, Docker Compose, GitHub Actions, Caddy (reverse proxy with HTTPS)
  
• Payments: PayFast integration (ITN handling, signature validation)