Remote Backend Django Engineer – AI & Algorithmic Systems
Spotter Labs
Hirezar Summary for South African Applicants
This fully remote full time position at Spotter Labs is open worldwide, so South Africans can apply. This role is suited for mid-level professionals. As a remote position, you can work from anywhere in South Africa — whether you're based in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, or a smaller town.
Job Description
We’re a remote, product-focused startup building AI- and algorithm-driven systems, and we’re looking for a strong Backend Django Engineer who loves clean data models, well-designed APIs, and clever algorithms.You’ll own core backend features end-to-end: from modeling the data to implementing the logic and exposing it through fast, reliable services that ship to users quickly, working with a small distributed team across several countries.
What You’ll Do
* Design and implementbackend servicesand APIsusingPython+ Django(and DRF or similar).
Design and implementbackend servicesand APIsusingPython+ Django(and DRF or similar).
* Model and evolve our domain in the database withclean, well-structured schemas and relationships.
Model and evolve our domain in the database withclean, well-structured schemas and relationships.
* Implementalgorithmic/AI logicin the backend (e.g., scoring, ranking, routing, decision rules).
Implementalgorithmic/AI logicin the backend (e.g., scoring, ranking, routing, decision rules).
* Writepragmatic, production-ready codethat’s easy to reason about and iterate on.
Writepragmatic, production-ready codethat’s easy to reason about and iterate on.
* Optimize forcorrectness and performance: efficient queries, smart indexing, and lean responses.
Optimize forcorrectness and performance: efficient queries, smart indexing, and lean responses.
* Work with the team to turn product ideas intoconcrete technical designs and endpoints.
Work with the team to turn product ideas intoconcrete technical designs and endpoints.
* Help shape how we build things: patterns, conventions, and how we ship and iterate as we grow.
Help shape how we build things: patterns, conventions, and how we ship and iterate as we grow.
What We’re Looking For
* Strong experience building backend applications withPython + Django.
Strong experience building backend applications withPython + Django.
* Solid understanding ofrelational data modelingandSQL(we use PostgreSQL).
Solid understanding ofrelational data modelingandSQL(we use PostgreSQL).
* Comfortable designing and buildingRESTful APIs(bonus if you’ve used DRF or similarframeworks).
Comfortable designing and buildingRESTful APIs(bonus if you’ve used DRF or similarframeworks).
* Experience working onnon-trivial business logic or algorithms(e.g., decision flows,scoring rules, optimization logic).
Experience working onnon-trivial business logic or algorithms(e.g., decision flows,scoring rules, optimization logic).
* Good instincts aroundperformance: understanding query behavior, avoiding obviouspitfalls, and using caching when it counts.
Good instincts aroundperformance: understanding query behavior, avoiding obviouspitfalls, and using caching when it counts.
* Astartup mindset: comfortable with ambiguity, moving fast, and iterating based on real-world feedback.
Astartup mindset: comfortable with ambiguity, moving fast, and iterating based on real-world feedback.
* Ability to workindependently in a remote environmentand communicate clearly.
Ability to workindependently in a remote environmentand communicate clearly.
Bonus Points For
* Experience instartups, side projects, or hackathonswhere you’ve had to ship scrappy solutions fast.
Experience instartups, side projects, or hackathonswhere you’ve had to ship scrappy solutions fast.
* Background inalgorithms, optimization, or data-heavy systems.
Background inalgorithms, optimization, or data-heavy systems.
* Experience withGoogle Cloud Platform (GCP)in production.
Experience withGoogle Cloud Platform (GCP)in production.
* Familiarity withRedis(caching, queues) andPostgreSQLat some scale.
Familiarity withRedis(caching, queues) andPostgreSQLat some scale.
* Exposure tocontainers and orchestration(Docker, Kubernetes) and/or serverless on GCP.
Exposure tocontainers and orchestration(Docker, Kubernetes) and/or serverless on GCP.
This role is acentral piece of our backend roadmap, and we’re aiming to fill it quickly once we meet the right person. If it resonates with you,go ahead and apply now.
Originally posted onHimalayas
Tips for South African Applicants
Timezone Advantage
South Africa (SAST, UTC+2) overlaps well with European business hours and has a few hours of overlap with US East Coast. Mention your timezone flexibility in your application.
Salary in Context
Even without a listed salary, international remote roles typically pay 2-3x more than equivalent local positions in South Africa due to the exchange rate advantage.
Application Tips
Tailor your CV to international standards — use a clean format, highlight remote work experience, and include your English proficiency. Many SA applicants succeed by emphasising their strong work ethic and cultural adaptability.
Load Shedding Preparedness
If you're applying for a remote role, having a backup power solution (UPS, inverter, or generator) and mobile data as a backup internet connection shows employers you're prepared for South Africa's infrastructure challenges.
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About Spotter Labs
Spotter Labs is a company in the ELD Specialist industry that hires remote workers from South Africa. They currently have 4 open positions on Hirezar. View all Spotter Labs jobs →