Senior Software Developer - SPARK… at SPARK Schools · Randburg

Watch our Vision Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOU0TYnNsZo

Take a tour of our Website: https://sparkschools.co.za/

About SPARK

SPARK stands for: Service, Persistence, Achievement, Responsibility, and Kindness.

We are a high-growth, mission and values-driven entrepreneurial network of private schools, operating 21 primary schools, 5 high schools and serving over 16,000 families. Our model pioneers an accessible, future-focused approach that challenges the traditional one-size-fits-all schooling model. In a world of AI and rapid technological advancement, we focus on our scholars' social-emotional development, creating better, more capable humans, not just academic performance. Our academics are underpinned by a blended tech-enabled and project-based curriculum, giving teachers the tools and data-backed insight to be responsive to individual scholars' needs.

In the future of work, it’s those who can adapt quickly, think critically, work creatively, and handle conflict diplomatically who will succeed, whether in academia, employment, or entrepreneurship.

What SPARK Offers you:

At SPARK, we invest in the people who invest in us. When you join our team you can expect Recognition & Fair Reward, valued today, rewarded fairly over time; Growth & Learning, the chance to learn, stretch and grow as SPARK grows; Leadership You Trust, an environment where you are led well and heard; a Culture of Belonging where people truly matter; Purpose with Impact, work that shapes futures that matter; the energy of High Performance Teams where ambition meets pace; and Pride in Product & Innovation, the chance to build something exceptional.

Purpose of the role:

SPARK’s technology ecosystem, spanning a scholar information system, CRM, ERP, and multiple integrated platforms, is the operational backbone of a 26-school network. That ecosystem must be scalable, secure, and reliable. The Senior Software Developer exists to ensure it is architecting solutions that meet SPARK’s current needs, designing for future growth, and building a development team that can sustain and extend that infrastructure.

SPARK believes that software excellence is a multiplier, well-built systems reduce administrative burden, enable data-driven decisions, and free teachers to focus on scholars. This role makes software excellence a consistent standard through architectural rigor, quality code practices, and a team culture where every developer grows.

Reports To: Head of IT

Responsibilities:

• High-quality, scalable software solutions are designed and delivered on time meeting both technical standards and SPARK’s operational requirements across core systems.
• SPARK’s software architecture is robust, secure, and capable of supporting the growth of a 26-school network with technical debt tracked and addressed each sprint.
• Junior developers grow in capability and confidence through structured mentorship, constructive code reviews, and consistent technical guidance.
• Code quality standards are set, enforced, and continuously improved with defect rates and production incidents trending downward quarter-on-quarter.
• Technical documentation for all major systems, APIs, and architectural decisions is current, complete, and accessible to the full development team.

What we are looking for:

SPARK is high-expectations, high-support, and high-pace. You will thrive here if you are:

• SPARK is high-expectations, high-support, and high-pace. You will thrive here if you are:
• Architecturally minded, you design for scalability and maintainability, not just immediate function.
• A natural mentor: you find genuine satisfaction in a junior developer’s growth, not just in your own technical achievement.
• Quality-obsessed: you hold the whole team to the same standard you hold yourself, and you do it through coaching, not criticism.
• Stakeholder-fluent, you translate complex business requirements into technical solutions without condescension.
• Proactive about technical debt: you track it, prioritise it, and resolve it per sprint, you do not let it accumulate.
• Mission-connected: you understand that the systems you build directly shape how 16,000 scholars experience their education.

Qualifications and Criteria:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and criteria:

• Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field; or equivalent demonstrated professional experience
• Registration: Not applicable
• Experience: Minimum 7–10 years in software development with at least 2 years in a senior or technical lead role; multiple languages and frameworks required
• Language: Strong command of English (written and spoken)
• Criminal Record: Clear criminal record, SAPS clearance certificate required

Ready to work at SPARK?

If you are the developer who gets more satisfaction from a junior developer’s breakthrough than from a personal technical win and you also architect systems that last, SPARK wants you leading our development team.

Apply now and help us build the future of Africa's education landscape.

Values: Service, Persistence, Achievement, Responsibility, Kindness

SPARK offers:

• fair market linked remuneration

• performance-based annual bonuses and increases

• above average/good annual leave

• life, disability and funeral cover

• employee wellness support

• educational support & study leave

• individualised professional development, support and mentorship

• employee discount on school fees

• opportunities for career growth

Compensation: Commensurate with experience.

Position Type: FTC

Location: Randburg, South Africa

SPARK schools is an equal opportunities employer and preference will be given to candidates from designated groups with due consideration of the company’s Employment Equity goals and targets.

SPARK schools encourages persons with disabilities to apply.

SPARK Schools may expire the posting of this advertisement at their own discretion.

Kindly note that should you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date please consider your application unsuccessful.