Senior Software Developer - SPARK Schools Support Office - 2026

SPARK Schools is a network of affordable private schools implementing Africa's first blended learning model for primary school students. Students learn in both the traditional classroom setting and our innovative Learning Lab. The SPARK Schools model combines highly engaging classroom teaching, individualised instruction in the Learning Lab, partnership with families and the community, and dedicated professional development for teachers and school leaders to facilitate student achievement. SPARK Schools students prepare for university and successful careers by excelling academically, practicing creative thinking skills, and demonstrating core values that emphasize cooperative citizenship and love of learning. 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 Requirements 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