Ruby on Rails Developer and Linux Systems Administrator
Somewhere
🇿🇦 Hirezar Summary for South African Applicants
This fully remote full time position at Somewhere is open to applicants from South Africa. The estimated monthly salary is R46,250 – R83,250 ZAR. 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
Ruby on Rails Developer & Linux Systems Administrator
Location:Remote (LATAM preferred)Working Hours: Central Time (CT) OverlapSalary:$2,500 – $4,500 USD / Month (Entry to Mid-Level; flexible for the right candidate)Experience:3+ years in Ruby on Rails & LinuxAdministration
About Our Client
Our client specializes in professional youth sports live streaming and permanent field camera systems. They provide schools, leagues, and multi-field complexes with cost-effective, high-quality video solutions, ranging from instant replays to on-demand content.Two years ago, they acquired Your Game Cam, a legacy platform with a large client base in California. They are now looking for a hungry, problem-solving developer to take over this infrastructure. You will be joining a high-energy, startup-style environment where everyone wears multiple hats.
The Opportunity: Legacy Transition & Growth
This is a unique "Master-Apprentice" role. Our veteran developer, who built the original platform, is retiring in 90 days. You will spend your first 3 months being personally trained by him on the ins and outs of the system before fully taking ownership of the codebase and server infrastructure.
What You’ll Do
* Legacy Management:Audit, refactor, and optimize a mature Ruby on Rails application to ensure stability for our existing client base.
Legacy Management:Audit, refactor, and optimize a mature Ruby on Rails application to ensure stability for our existing client base.
* Server Ownership:Manage and maintain our own Linux server infrastructure (scripts, security, uptime, and performance monitoring).
Server Ownership:Manage and maintain our own Linux server infrastructure (scripts, security, uptime, and performance monitoring).
* Performance Tuning:Identify and resolve bottlenecks in page load times, database queries, and streaming delivery.
Performance Tuning:Identify and resolve bottlenecks in page load times, database queries, and streaming delivery.
* Feature Development: Implement new improvements to modernize the platform and enhance the experience for parents, coaches, and athletes.
Feature Development: Implement new improvements to modernize the platform and enhance the experience for parents, coaches, and athletes.
* Problem Solving:Troubleshoot issues across the full stack—from application logic to Linux-based streaming scripts.
Problem Solving:Troubleshoot issues across the full stack—from application logic to Linux-based streaming scripts.
Most important skills and reponsibilities required*Linux Systems & Infrastructure*
* Manage, configure, and orchestrate multiple Linux servers (Ubuntu/RHEL)
Manage, configure, and orchestrate multiple Linux servers (Ubuntu/RHEL)
* Implement CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure-as-code (Ansible/Terraform)
Implement CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure-as-code (Ansible/Terraform)
* Monitor system health, performance, and security across the distributed infrastructure
Monitor system health, performance, and security across the distributed infrastructure
* Troubleshoot network, storage, and compute issues at scale
Troubleshoot network, storage, and compute issues at scale
* Preferred: Experience with containerization (Docker/Kubernetes)
Preferred: Experience with containerization (Docker/Kubernetes)
*Application Development*
* Build and maintain backend services in *Ruby* (Rails/Sinatra) and *Node.js* (Express/Nest.js)
Build and maintain backend services in *Ruby* (Rails/Sinatra) and *Node.js* (Express/Nest.js)
* Design RESTful APIs and real-time data pipelines (WebSockets, Redis, message queues)
Design RESTful APIs and real-time data pipelines (WebSockets, Redis, message queues)
* Integrate video processing workflows into production applications
Integrate video processing workflows into production applications
* Write clean, testable code with automated testing and code review practices
Write clean, testable code with automated testing and code review practices
Additional Skills and responssibilities
*Video & Livestreaming*
* Configure and maintain Wowza Streaming Engine for live and on-demand delivery
Configure and maintain Wowza Streaming Engine for live and on-demand delivery
* Architect streaming workflows (RTMP ingest, HLS/DASH playback, transrating/transcoding)
Architect streaming workflows (RTMP ingest, HLS/DASH playback, transrating/transcoding)
* Optimize for low-latency and adaptive bitrate streaming
Optimize for low-latency and adaptive bitrate streaming
* Integrate CDNs and troubleshoot stream health/quality issues
Integrate CDNs and troubleshoot stream health/quality issues
* Knowledge of streaming protocols (WebRTC, SRT) a plus
Knowledge of streaming protocols (WebRTC, SRT) a plus
*DevOps & Collaboration*
* Collaborate cross-functionally with product, design, and QA teams
Collaborate cross-functionally with product, design, and QA teams
* Document systems architecture and operational runbooks
Document systems architecture and operational runbooks
* On-call rotat
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
At R46,250/month, this role is competitive with the average South African remote salary. The USD equivalent ($2,500/mo) benefits from the favourable exchange rate.
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.
About Somewhere
Somewhere is a company in the Recruitment & Staffing industry that hires remote workers from South Africa. They currently have 620 open positions on Hirezar. View all Somewhere jobs →