Search Software Engineer
Takealot Group3 months ago
Remote, South AfricaSenior / Staff+
Responsibilities
- Design and build software solutions that improve business operations and customer experience.
- Architect and develop high-complexity, scalable backend systems and production code.
- Maintain the search stack and contribute to its transition from Elasticsearch to Vertex AI Search.
- Implement and maintain REST and RPC APIs using Python.
- Develop and maintain automation and functional testing practices.
- Participate in architecture proposals and help align architecture across the organization.
- Respond to production bugs, alerts, incidents, and issues affecting multiple teams.
- Define and improve engineering processes, directives, documentation, and best practices.
- Share knowledge through technical writing, talks, workshops, and engineering discussions.
- Liaise with internal stakeholders about requirements and project progress.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or Advanced Diploma in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
- 5–10 years of experience in a software development role.
- Experience developing scalable backend systems and robust, efficient production code.
- Strong understanding of object-oriented design, data structures, algorithms, and computer science fundamentals.
- Proficiency in a strongly typed open-source language such as Python, Java, or Go.
- Experience with RESTful APIs, web services, SQL database systems, and Linux environments.
- Search technology experience with Elasticsearch, Vertex AI Search, Solr, Algolia, or another major provider is advantageous.
- Familiarity with microservices, Agile environments, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Memcached, Redis, Kafka, RabbitMQ, Docker, Kubernetes, GitHub, Travis CI, Jenkins, AWS, GCP, Azure, JavaScript, React, or jQuery is advantageous.
- Strong analytical, critical-thinking, quantitative, communication, and problem-structuring skills.
- Willingness to provide rotational after-hours support for critical system issues.
Benefits
- Fully remote work with the option to visit the office.
- Market-related total remuneration package with flexibility according to individual needs.
- Mentorship and access to the Naspers Tech Community and online learning through MyAcademy, Udacity, Coursera, and other courses.
- Regular social events and out-of-office activities.
- Staff discounts on Takealotmore subscriptions and products.
- Birthday leave.
- Choice of Mac or Linux equipment and monitor setup.
- Confidential counselling, legal support, and financial guidance.
- Free parking.
Tech Stack
Apache KafkaAWSAzureDockerElasticsearchGoGoogle CloudGoogle Cloud PlatformJavaJavaScriptJenkinsjQueryKotlinKubernetesLinuxMySQLPostgreSQLPythonRabbitMQReactRedisScalaSQLSwiftTravis CI
Categories
About Takealot Group
Takealot Group is a South African e-commerce company that operates takealot.com (general merchandise marketplace and retail), Mr D (on‑demand delivery), and Superbalist (online fashion). It serves consumers and merchants nationwide through retail sales, marketplace commissions, and delivery fees, supported by in‑house logistics. Headquartered in Cape Town, the group is part of the Naspers/Prosus internet portfolio and runs services across all nine provinces in South Africa.