Full-stack Software Engineer at 2U · Cape Town

At 2U, we are all in on purpose. We are motivated by our mission – to eliminate the back row in education – and connected by our shared passion to deliver world-class digital education at scale. As the parent company of edX, the world’s leading online learning platform, 2U powers more than 4,000 online higher education offerings – from free courses to full degrees. Together with more than 230 colleges, universities, and corporate partners, we are helping to unlock human potential. What We’re Looking For: We are looking for a Software Engineer III with experience building and maintaining data pipelines, developing generative AI solutions, and designing robust backend systems. You will participate in the discovery, design, and engineering of multiple cross-functional projects, while troubleshooting complex business and production issues. You will uphold industry best practices and will help encourage our team to continuously improve. Above all, you care about delivering quality software in a sustainable and timely manner and about software craftsmanship. Sitting within the Technology portfolio, the Xpert Platform team develops and maintains innovative tools that connect users to cutting-edge generative AI capabilities, effectively supporting our students, faculty, and internal content and learning teams. The team implements and sustains tools that leverage advanced generative AI systems and data pipelines, ensuring efficient data management and AI integration. Additionally, the team is responsible for creating and enhancing a versatile platform product that can be utilized across various business units, driving technological advancement and operational efficiency throughout the organization. Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To: Lead technical design of applications and participate in larger system design efforts Design and implement generative AI experiences Write maintainable, performant code Refactor legacy code to improve maintainability Conduct exploratory and automated testing Efficiently debug complex problems Provide technical guidance and feedback to other team-members Things That Should Be In Your Background: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent professional experience). 5+ years of professional experience in a data-intensive environment, with a proven track record of building and scaling full-stack applications. Proficiency in Python for backend development, data processing, and AI integration. Strong experience with React.js and the modern frontend ecosystem (TypeScript, state management, and responsive design). Experience designing and developing AI applications, specifically working with Large Language Models (LLMs) and the OpenAI API. Proven experience leading cross-functional initiatives, collaborating with product and design teams to take a feature from concept to production. Desired Skills: Full-Stack Architecture: Ability to lead the technical design of applications, ensuring performant communication between React frontends and Python backends. Generative AI Implementation: Skill in building real-time AI experiences, including handling streaming data and prompt engineering. Cloud Infrastructure: Hands-on experience with AWS services (S3, Lambda, SAM, Step Functions). Code Quality: Expertise in writing maintainable, performant code and a passion for refactoring legacy systems to improve long-term health. Testing & Debugging: Proficiency in exploratory and automated testing across the entire stack to ensure high-quality software delivery. Other Attributes That Will Help You In This Role: AI/ML Depth: Familiarity with machine learning workflows, data modeling, and vector databases like OpenSearch. Modern Frontend Tooling: Experience with Tailwind CSS, Next.js, or Vite to streamline the development lifecycle. Mentorship: A natural inclination for providing technical guidance and constructive feedback to team members. Sustainability: A background in delivering software using Agile methodologies with a focus on long-term maintainability over quick-fix patches. Creative Problem Solving: The ability to efficiently debug complex, interconnected problems that span the UI, API, and data layers. Engineering at 2U is dynamic, innovative and full of people passionate about delivering on the promise of higher education via technology. We are seeking collaborative and results-driven individuals to join us and in return, we can offer you a fun learning environment where your skills, experience and creativity will make a material impact on the company’s success and its overall mission. We strive for our teams to be cross-functional, self-organizing and autonomous. You’ll be working directly with product managers and business analysts in a highly collaborative manner. Benefits & Culture Our global employee base is a diverse collection of innovators, dreamers, and doers working together to transform lives through higher education. We believe that every employee can advance our shared purpose, and that life at 2U should be fun and meaningful. If you’re excited by the opportunity to provide over 40 million learners and counting with access to world-class online higher education, then join us – and do work that makes a difference. #NoBackRow We offer comprehensive benefits (unique per country) and excellent work/life balance. Full-time, ZA benefits include: 2 complimentary Getsmarter short courses per year Subsidised medical aid with Discovery Health Medical Scheme 4% 2U contribution towards Discovery Life Pension Fund and Group Risk Benefit Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Generous leave policy including time off to volunteer for non-profit organization, study leave, sports leave and a company-wide festive season break 2U Diversity and Inclusion Statement At 2U, we are committed to building and sustaining a culture of belonging, respect, and inclusion. We are proud of the steps we’ve taken to bring together an employee base that embodies diverse walks of life, ideas, genders, ages, races, cultures, sexual orientations, abilities and other unique qualities. We strive to offer a workplace where every employee feels empowered by what makes us different, as well as by how we are alike. 2U is committed to providing reasonable accommodations during our recruitment process. If you need assistance or accommodations, please reach out to us at: recruitingaccommodations@2u.com. About 2U For more than a decade, 2U has been the digital transformation partner of choice to great non-profit colleges and universities delivering high-quality online education at scale. As the parent company of edX, a leading global online learning platform, 2U provides over 45 million learners with access to world-class education in partnership with more than 230 colleges, universities, and corporations. Our people and technology are powering more than 4,000 digital education offerings — from free courses to full degrees — and helping unlock human potential. To learn more: visit 2U.com. About edX edX is the education movement for restless learners and a leading global online learning platform from 2U. Together with the majority of the world’s top-ranked universities and industry-leading companies, we bring our community of over 45 million learners world-class education to support them at every stage of their lives and careers, from free courses to full degrees. And we're not stopping there — we're relentlessly pursuing our vision of a world where every learner can access education to unlock their potential, without the barriers of cost or location. Learn more at edX.org. Learn more at https://2u.com/careers/ #NoBackRow The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position, and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. 2U is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against applicants or employees and ensures equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of their race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, marital status, disability, citizenship, military or veterans’ status, or any other classifications protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. 2U’s equal opportunity policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, job benefits and pay. 2U is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from South African citizens who are members of designated groups who may contribute to Employment Equity within the workplace and the further diversification of ideas. In this regard, the relevant laws and principles associated with Employment Equity will be considered when appointing potential candidates. We are required by law to verify your ability to work lawfully in South Africa. 2U requires that you submit a copy of either your identity document or your passport and any applicable work permit if you are a foreign national, along with an updated curriculum vitae.