Intermediate Full-Stack Software Engineer (Contract)

Decode is a founder-led, boutique software product studio founded in 2019 and based in Cape Town, South Africa. We collaborate with purpose-driven founders and organisations globally to expand access, accelerate learning and save lives with bespoke AI-powered software products.

We are looking for an intermediate full-stack software engineer to join our team on a remote contract, starting as soon as possible and running until the 18th of December 2026. We anticipate extending the contract from the 11th of January 2027 until the 30th of June 2027.

You will be part of a Decode-led team embedded with a global financial services software company. You'll work closely with their engineers across the UK, Australia and South Africa to deliver work from their backlog.

The platform is built API-first, with a Java and Spring Boot back end and a React and TypeScript front end made up of micro front ends. You will deliver features across the full stack, from API specifications and back-end services through to the user interface.

This is a hands-on delivery role that requires an engineer who is equally comfortable on the front end and back end, and who can become productive quickly in a large, established codebase.

Decode is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from those typically under-represented in the technology industry.

This position is fully remote and open only to candidates based in South Africa, working standard South African business hours.

• Full-Stack Feature Delivery: Build and maintain features across Java and Spring Boot services and React and TypeScript micro front ends, taking work from specification through to production.
• API-First Development: Work with the client's engineers to design and evolve OpenAPI specifications, then implement the services and front-end integrations that fulfil them.
• Team Collaboration: Work closely with Decode's lead engineer and the client's engineering teams across time zones, taking part in planning, stand-ups and code reviews.
• Code Quality and Testing: Write clean, well-tested and maintainable code, and give constructive feedback in code reviews to raise the quality of the codebase.
• Platform Integration: Build services that integrate with the platform's event streams and data stores and run reliably in a Kubernetes environment.

• At least 4 years of professional experience as a full-stack software engineer.
• Experience building RESTful APIs with Java and Spring Boot in production.
• Experience building web applications with React and TypeScript in production.
• An understanding of API-first development and OpenAPI specifications.
• Experience with relational databases and SQL, such as PostgreSQL or Microsoft SQL Server.
• The ability to navigate and contribute to a large, established codebase with minimal hand-holding.
• Clear written and verbal communication, with the confidence to collaborate with international teams.

The following are advantageous:

• Experience with Kafka or other event-driven architectures.
• Experience deploying to Kubernetes, including Helm charts.
• Experience with NX monorepos and Module Federation micro front ends.
• Experience with Redis, Cassandra or Apache Pinot.
• Experience in financial services, particularly wealth management or stockbroking.

R 75,000 to R 80,000 per month, negotiable and commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Please email your application to careers@decodedev.com, with the subject “Intermediate Full-Stack Software Engineer (Contract) Application - {Your full name}”, with the following attached:

1. Your interview availability.
2. Your contract availability (earliest start date, notice period, planned time off, etc.)
3. An up to date curriculum vitae (CV) and/or LinkedIn profile.
4. Three references. Please request their consent to contact them and share their email and phone. Preferably three different roles at past employers/clients, e.g. an executive, a manager (or leader) and a software engineer.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. The closing date for applications is 7 November 2026.