Specialist: Software Engineer

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Role Purpose/Business Unit:

• The Specialist: Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software solutions that support Vodacom’s digital products and customer facing platforms. The role contributes directly to agile delivery cycles, translating user stories into working code, improving system stability, and optimizing modules within their domain (e.g., CVM, Loyalty, eCommerce, Customer Lifecycle, or Platform Enablement)
• This role requires strong engineering fundamentals, hands on development capability, and consistent collaboration with architects, other developers, QA, DevOps, and domain leads

Your responsibilities will include: Software Design & Development

• Analyse user stories and technical requirements to produce technical designs and working code
• Implement features using Vodacom’s approved technologies, frameworks, and engineering guardrails
• Develop modular, maintainable code aligned to platform standards and domain patterns
• Contribute to iterative delivery across sprints using CI/CD pipelines

Testing & Quality Assurance

• Build and execute unit, integration, and functional tests to validate quality
• Support QA teams during system and UAT cycles
• Participate in peer reviews to uphold coding standards and reduce technical debt

Operations & Support

• Perform L2/L3 technical support for software modules within the squad
• Troubleshoot incidents, conduct root cause analyses, and implement corrective changes
• Maintain technical documentation to support operational continuity

Collaboration & Agile Delivery

• Actively collaborate with Product Owners, BAs, Architects, and DevOps engineers
• Provide input into backlog refinement, sprint planning, and technical estimation
• Demonstrate accountability for delivery commitments within the squad

Continuous Improvement

• Recommend enhancements to user stories, UX flows, architectures, and technical designs
• Identify reduction opportunities for technical debt and platform inefficiencies
• Adopt best practices aligned to Vodacom engineering standards and MLOps/DevOps workflows

The ideal candidate for this role will have:

• Matric/Grade 12 (essential) and a 3‑Year Degree/Diploma in Computer Science/Engineering or related (essential)
• 3+ years in software engineering building production services at scale, preferably in telecommunications or large enterprise digital
• Demonstrated experience with API engineering (REST/GraphQL), test automation, CI/CD and observability; exposure to TMF patterns and GraphQL/Apollo is advantageous

Core competencies, knowledge and experience:

• Software engineering mastery: Strong design and coding in one or more of backend or full‑stack stacks; expert knowledge of modularization, API design, data modelling and secure coding
• API/Schema standards: Hands‑on with REST/GraphQL, schema governance and TMF alignment; understanding of Apollo/GraphOS and subgraph design
• Quality & reliability engineering: Test automation, CI/CD discipline, observability and operational readiness (runbooks, SLOs, error budgets) integrated into the delivery lifecycle
• Technical Skills: Strong proficiency in core languages used in Vodacom squads (Java/Spring, Node.js, Angular/React, Python, or equivalent per domain). Experience with microservices, APIs, containerization (Docker/K8s), and cloud environments. Familiarity with CI/CD tooling (Jenkins, GitHub Actions, Argo, etc.). Understanding of secure coding practices and vulnerability mitigation (aligned to Mend and security scanning practices referenced internally)
• Professional Attributes: Strong problem‑solving and debugging capability. Ability to work effectively within cross‑functional agile teams. Ownership mindset and delivery accountability. Good communication and documentation skills

AI-Enabled Leadership and Delivery

• Maintains awareness of emerging technology and AI trends and contributes ideas that improve processes, customer experience and operational effectiveness
• Creates an environment that encourages innovation, experimentation, continuous learning and responsible adoption of emerging technologies
• Leads teams through evolving operating models and technology-enabled transformation, building capability and readiness for future workforce requirements
• Tracks and delivers measurable business outcomes from digital, automation and AI initiatives through effective prioritisation, governance and benefits realisation
• Demonstrates AI fluency and literacy through the ability to effectively use, evaluate and govern AI-enabled tools and solutions, applying them responsibly to improve business outcomes,
• productivity and decision-making

We make an impact by offering:

• Enticing incentive programs and competitive benefit packages
• Retirement funds, risk benefits, and medical aid benefits
• Cell phone and data benefits, advantages fibre connection discounts, and exclusive staff discounts offered in collaboration with partner companies

Closing date for Applications: 12 August 2026 The base location for this role is Midrand, Vodacom Campus. The company's approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.

Vodacom is committed to an organisational culture that recognises, appreciates, and values diversity & inclusion.