About the Role
As a Mid-Level Java Backend Engineer, you will play an essential role in building the core systems that power Zeraki’s products across Africa. You are an established professional—capable of independently handling significant project components, improving our codebase, and ensuring our backend systems are scalable, reliable, and secure.
This role is ideal for an engineer who thrives in a high-growth environment, loves solving complex backend challenges, and is eager to contribute to Zeraki’s mission of transforming education through technology. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, mentor junior engineers, and help shape engineering best practices as Zeraki expands regionally and globally.
Scope & Impact
· Own and deliver critical backend components that directly impact product performance and user experience.
· Influence architectural decisions and system design as we scale to millions of learners and institutions.
· Improve team standards, engineering processes, and system reliability.
· Support production environments and ensure smooth, uninterrupted platform operations.
Requirements
Experience & Skills
3–5+ years of hands-on experience with Java backend development.
Proficiency in Java frameworks such as Spring Boot, and experience building RESTful or microservices architectures.
Strong understanding of relational and NoSQL databases.
Experience with cloud platforms, containerization (Docker/Kubernetes), and CI/CD pipelines.
Strong debugging and performance optimization skills.
Ability to handle complex technical challenges independently.
Mindset & Working Style
A builder who enjoys creating scalable, resilient systems.
A proactive problem solver who anticipates issues before they escalate.
A team player who values collaboration, clarity, and accountability.
Passionate about education and aligned with Zeraki’s mission to transform learning across Africa.
Key Responsibilities
1. Backend Engineering & System Design
· Design, build, and maintain high-performance backend services using Java and modern frameworks (e.g., Spring Boot).
· Lead segments of backend feature development, with minimal supervision.
· Refactor and optimize existing systems to improve performance, maintainability, and scalability.
· Contribute to Zeraki’s engineering standards, code review guidelines, and documentation practices.
· Participate in architectural discussions and begin to specialize in selected backend domains (e.g., distributed systems, integrations, messaging).
2. Production Operations & Quality Assurance
· Support deployment, monitoring, and maintenance of services in production environments.
· Ensure high availability and reliability of backend systems through proactive monitoring and incident response.
· Write and maintain comprehensive test coverage, including unit, integration, and performance tests.
3. Productivity & Execution
· Manage multiple tasks or project streams simultaneously with minimal oversight.
· Deliver project components that meet specifications, timelines, and quality expectations.
· Bring efficiency to workflows, identifying blockers early and proposing practical solutions.
4. Problem Solving & Innovation
· Independently troubleshoot complex backend issues, from logic errors to system bottlenecks.
· Anticipate future system constraints and contribute forward-looking improvements.
· Introduce innovative ideas to improve reliability, security, and developer productivity.
5. Collaboration & Mentorship
· Mentor junior engineers, assisting them with code reviews, debugging, and best practices.
· Work seamlessly with Product, QA, CX, and Ops teams to deliver high-quality features.
· Communicate clearly and contextually during project discussions, sprint reviews, and architecture sessions.
What we offer
● The opportunity to shape the next generation of education technology in Africa
● A dynamic, purpose-driven team committed to impact and innovation.
● Growth pathways within a fast-scaling engineering organization.
● Competitive compensation and benefits
● Hybrid/remote work options to support work-life balance.
Our culture
At Zeraki, our strength is rooted in our vibrant culture, driven by a shared commitment for integrity, learning, and excellence. Our environment demands the highest standards and focuses on delivering results. We hire and develop the best, manage through trust, value empathy, and practice having a backbone in all our dealings. We are a team that thrives on freedom, responsibility, and the pursuit of excellence. Joining us means being part of a community dedicated to growth, innovation, and transformation.
About the Company
Zeraki is a pioneering EdTech startup on a mission to redefine education across Africa. Our innovative technology tools are designed to make learning more accessible, effective, and engaging for parents, teachers, and students alike. At the heart of Zeraki is a deep-rooted passion for harnessing the power of education to unlock the potential of the continent's youth and drive transformative change. Zeraki proudly serves over 2.7 million users in 10 countries, establishing itself as one of Africa's leading EdTech companies.
Our commitment to excellence and innovation has not gone unnoticed. Zeraki was the proud recipient of the African Union Commission Innovating Education in Africa Award in 2022. Zeraki is one of three EdTech companies participating in the 2024 cohort of the EY AI SDG Accelerator and is also part of the 2024 cohort of the Microsoft Entrepreneurship for Positive Impact Program. Through these accolades and partnerships, Zeraki continues to shape the future of learning in Africa, demonstrating the transformative role of technology in education.