Java and JavaScript Developer (2 – 5 years) – Cape Town

WorkPool builds a comprehensive business operations platform used across industries – tasks, processes, CRM, email, time, documents, integrations, and more. We are a close-knit product team in Century City where you will be seen, heard, and have real impact across the full stack.

What you will do

  • Build and ship features across front end and back end: HTML, CSS, JavaScript with jQuery and JSP on the front end, Java on the back end.
  • Design and maintain REST APIs using JSON for our product and companion apps.
  • Review and help finalise specifications for client add-ons and integrations.
  • Troubleshoot and fix defects end to end, including customer issue triage on rotation.
  • Integrate with third party systems and services – including OAuth and SSO.
  • Contribute to our LLM initiatives – Retrieval Augmented Generation, MCP-style tool integrations, automation, and workflow intelligence.

Our stack – pragmatic and production-proven

  • Java 8, primarily Java EE with selective Spring usage; JSP, JSTL; in-house JavaScript components; Nashorn modules.
  • Front end: HTML, CSS, jQuery, JSP. We favor fundamentals over heavy front end frameworks in the core product.
  • APIs: REST and JSON; OAuth and SSO; OWASP-aligned practices.
  • Data: MySQL as the primary database. We are exploring vector search options like Postgres with pgvector to power LLM features.
  • Messaging: JMS.
  • Integrations: Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and other service APIs.
  • AI and LLM lab: Hands-on with providers such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Grok, DeepSeek, Gemini, Copilot, and Meta Llama.

What we are looking for

  • 2-5 years professional experience building web applications.
  • Solid Java (core and web) and JavaScript including jQuery, plus strong fundamentals in HTML and CSS.
  • Comfortable designing and consuming REST APIs and working confidently with SQL on MySQL.
  • Strong debugging instincts and the ability to investigate issues end to end.
  • Working knowledge of OAuth and SSO, and secure coding aligned to OWASP.
  • A quick study who enjoys learning hard things and working across the stack in a product environment.

Nice to have

  • JPA and Hibernate, React or React Native for companion apps, Linux basics, messaging with JMS, email or Office or Google APIs, testing practices, and any LLM or RAG experimentation.

Work arrangement and hours

  • On-site in Century City to start, with hybrid available thereafter based on role fit and delivery.
  • Approximately 40-45 hours per week, typically between 08:00-17:00 or 09:00-18:00.
  • Reliable transport is required, and you should live within a reasonable commute or along contra-flow routes.

Growth and compensation

  • TCTC structure tailored to the individual.
  • Clear review at around 6 months with potential uplift based on impact.
  • We consider performance bonuses – not guaranteed.

How to apply

Send your CV and any relevant links to careers@workpool.co.za with the subject Developer – Cape Town. Please also indicate your notice period, right to work in South Africa, and general availability for an on-site practical.

Screening questions

  1. Location and on-site availability: Are you based in Cape Town or surrounds, and able to work on-site in Century City at the start? Please confirm typical commute time and transport.
  2. Core skills snapshot: Briefly list your hands-on experience with Java, JSP, JavaScript and jQuery, REST APIs and JSON, and SQL on MySQL. Include approximate years per area.
  3. Security and auth exposure: Share any experience with OAuth, SSO, and OWASP-aligned practices you have applied in real work.
  4. AI and learning mindset: Describe any LLM or RAG experimentation you have done. If not yet, tell us how you would approach learning and building with these quickly.

What to expect

An initial online conversation to align on fit and experience, followed by an on-site practical. At interview stage we will request references, proof of qualifications, and a brief background questionnaire.

Data and privacy

We handle candidate information in line with POPIA and GDPR.

Notes

  • We hire directly and do not accept unsolicited agency CVs or fee agreements.
  • If a third party introduction is involved, employment may be subject to a fee recovery agreement during probation.