Sabenza IT & Recruitment - Full Stack Developer (Expert) – Java & Cloud Migration

Full Stack Developer is needed in Pretoria, South Africa.

Client: Sabenza IT & Recruitment

Location: Pretoria, GT, za

Contract: Freelance

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Full Stack Developer (Expert) to lead a mainframe modernisation initiative, migrating legacy applications into modern Java and cloud-based environments.

The role combines hands-on technical expertise with strategic planning, Agile leadership, solution design, and cloud innovation across complex, enterprise-level systems.

• Lead the migration and modernisation of legacy mainframe applications into Java-based solutions.
• Develop migration strategies for converting COBOL and PL/1 applications to Java.
• Analyse legacy systems, dependencies, risks, and technical requirements to create effective migration plans.
• Collaborate with cloud and infrastructure teams to map legacy components to appropriate cloud services.
• Manage delivery of complex technology projects, ensuring timelines, budgets, quality, and business requirements are met.
• Lead Agile feature teams and promote collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement.
• Work with Product Owners, developers, testers, stakeholders, and external suppliers to deliver effective solutions.
• Oversee system integration, testing, parallel runs, implementation, and quality assurance.
• Ensure solutions meet performance, security, data integrity, and compliance requirements.
• Resolve complex technical issues and provide second-level support where required.
• Promote DevOps automation, modular architecture, and efficient development practices.
• Maintain technical documentation and support coaching, training, and knowledge transfer.
• Monitor migrated applications and improve cloud performance, cost, and operational efficiency.

Requirements

The successful candidate will have a strong technical background, significant experience in software development or DevOps, and the confidence to lead teams and make architectural and delivery decisions.

Essential Experience and Skills

• Strong Java development experience, including object-oriented programming, multithreading, collections, generics, and exception handling.
• Extensive experience with Spring, Spring MVC, and Spring Boot.
• At least 10 years’ experience in IT, software development, or DevOps, including 10 or more years using a relevant programming language.
• Strong project delivery and project management capabilities.
• Experience working with Agile methodologies and coordinating multiple Agile teams.
• Knowledge of system integration, requirements analysis, technical planning, and solution design.
• Experience coordinating development and support environments.
• Proficiency with Jira, Confluence, X-Ray, Bitbucket, or similar Agile delivery tools.
• Experience with DevOps, transition management, and problem, incident, and change management.
• Experience in resource planning, budget management, and technical team leadership.
• Previous experience supporting or working within a finance function.

Desirable Technical Experience

• AWS or Azure cloud architecture and services.
• Serverless development, including AWS Lambda.
• Kafka, streaming services, and publish/subscribe technologies.
• Docker, Kubernetes, and OpenShift.
• Mainframe technologies and databases, including COBOL, PL/1, DB2, IMS, and J2EE.
• Mainframe-to-Java conversion tools such as Astadia, Heirloom, or BlueAge.
• Cloud architecture for legacy application migration.
• Automated and integration testing using frameworks such as JUnit or TestNG.
• Hibernate or other ORM frameworks.
• Modern front-end technologies such as Angular, React, or Vue.js.
• Performance optimisation, debugging, high availability, and security best practices.

Qualifications and Certifications

• A relevant qualification in IT, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• At least one recognised advanced Scrum or Agile certification, such as Professional Scrum Master II, Advanced Certified ScrumMaster, Certified SAFe Advanced Scrum Master, Leading SAFe Agilist, or Scaled Professional Scrum.
• A Scrum Master certification and project management qualification are advantageous.

Benefits

• Work on a complex, global-scale technology modernisation programme.
• Collaborate with international teams and experienced technology professionals.
• Use a flexible hybrid working model combining remote and on-site work.
• Benefit from a flexible arrangement of 1,960 working hours over a 12-month period.
• Work in a fast-paced environment that values innovation, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Gain exposure to modern cloud technologies, enterprise architecture, and large-scale migration projects.