Graduate Software Developer

We Are Innovators & Category Creators

Founded in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2000, Clickatell made history as the first company to connect businesses on the internet with consumers on mobile phones via SMS, using just four lines of code. Today, it powers AI-driven chat commerce experiences for leading enterprises across banking, retail, travel, telecoms, healthcare and more, trusted by global brands including Fiserv, Ria, Discovery, Absa, GoTyme, Standard bank, FlySafair, Clientèle, Pick n Pay, Walmart, MTN, Telkom, Toyota, Europcar, and thousands of additional businesses across the US, Europe, and the Global South markets.

Over 25 years, Clickatell has continued to innovate and introduced a series of industry firsts, including the world’s first tokenized payments in WhatsApp; KYC-compliant chat banking; best-in-class conversational commerce utility use cases; and the launch of Chat-2-Pay in partnership with Visa. Its award-winning, enterprise-grade AI-powered Chat Commerce Platform enables leading consumer brands to interact and transact with customers in the same chat interface they use every day to run their lives.

Purpose:

As a Graduate Software Developer, you will join a structured 10-month development program designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional software engineering. The program runs from 1 February 2027 to 30 November 2027 and provides hands-on exposure to modern software development practices, enabling you to develop technical expertise, collaborate with experienced teams, contribute to real-world products, and build a strong foundation for a successful career in technology.

This opportunity is intended for candidates who are committed to participating in the program for its full duration. Successful candidates must be based in Cape Town and available to engage in program activities, learning opportunities, team collaboration, and workplace experiences throughout the 10-month period.

We Do The Right Things

Responsibilities of the Role

What you will learn and be exposed to:

Full-Stack Development & Production Systems

• Gain practical experience across the frontend, backend, and database layers of modern software applications. You will contribute to the development, testing, maintenance, and enhancement of real-world production software systems, gaining exposure to how software is deployed, monitored, and supported in a live environment.

Team-Based Software Delivery

• Learn how to work effectively within a software engineering team by collaborating with developers, product managers, and other stakeholders. Participate in code reviews, version control practices, Agile ceremonies, and team planning sessions while contributing to shared development goals.

Programming Principles, Problem Analysis & Solution Design

• Apply core programming and software engineering principles to build quality software solutions. Develop analytical thinking and problem-solving skills by interpreting business requirements, debugging issues, evaluating options, and designing practical technical solutions.

Database and Data Fundamentals

• Build an understanding of how applications use and manage data through hands-on exposure to relational and non-relational databases. Develop skills in data modelling, querying, data management, and using data to support application functionality and decision-making.

Software Development Methodologies

• Gain exposure to Agile and Scrum methodologies, software development lifecycles, continuous integration and continuous deployment testing approaches, and modern software delivery processes used by high-performing engineering teams.

Requirements

We Are On A Learning Journey

Requirements of the Role

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.

• Recently graduated or in the final year of study.

• A strong interest in software development and technology.

• Foundational knowledge of programming concepts and object-oriented development principles.

• Understanding of software development fundamentals, databases, and web technologies.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Good communication and collaboration skills.

• A willingness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced environment.

Skills and Competencies

• Curious and eager to learn.

• Passionate about technology and innovation.

• Strong problem-solvers who enjoy tackling complex challenges.

• Effective team players who collaborate well with others.

• Adaptable and open to feedback.

• Committed to continuous personal and professional growth.

By the end of the program, candidate should be able to:

• Work effectively as part of a collaborative software development team.

• Apply programming principles and software engineering best practices to real-world projects.

• Analyze complex problems and design practical technical solutions.

• Work confidently with databases and data-driven applications.

• Understand and apply modern software development methodologies and delivery practices.

• Contribute to the development, maintenance, and support of production software systems.

• Demonstrate professional communication, teamwork, and continuous learning behaviours.

A Bit About You

• Team Player: Self-directed and dedicated team player who positively engages with the team to solve.

• Optimizing Processes: Optimally utilizes the tools and resources available to maximizes output. Conducts day-to-day operations using best practice to achieve effectiveness and accuracy. Continuously reviews and makes recommendations for process improvements.

• Expert Thinker: Equipped with specialist knowledge and makes recommendations that are practical, smart and ready to implement. Remains up-to-date in the industry and offers technical advice, and support to own team and others.

• Effective Problem-Solver: Resourceful, persistent, and creative when solving problems. Able to be analytical and follow a logical process to make decisions. Finds the balance between a good and quick decision through experience and knowledge. Able to present and explain thinking and the resulting decision.

• Connecting Collaboratively: Actively connects to bring cohesion and deliver excellence. Sees the value in working closely with different specialities and teams to ensure all operations are aligned to meet the required objectives.

• Maximizing Awareness: Recognizes emotions and how it affects behavior and relationships. Self-aware and picks up on emotional cues in situations. Self-manages and empowered to show initiative, follow through on commitments, and work well in a team. Listens, reflects, and responds effectively to constructive criticism.

• Enabling Strategy: Implements the action plans to produce practical outputs while considering the implication, and consequences for the organization and our customers.

• Action Orientated Mindset: Know-how to skillfully approach technical activities to deliver value. Eager to deliver new or improved solutions to drive the organization forward. Focused on what needs to be done and ensures follow-through on all commitments.

• Embracing Change: Invites change and stays focused and resilient and chooses responses that are positive when feeling uncertain. Remains flexible, adaptable, and open to opportunities to be innovative. Uses failure as an opportunity to learn and grows. Thinks ahead, anticipates, and acts.

• Driving Delivery: Goal-oriented and monitors processes and systems to ensure tracking towards goals despite challenging and stressful situations. Sets high standards for quality and performance and provides metrics to show improvements as well as real-time variance for effective tracking.

Benefits

Why You Should Join

Perks of the Role

Working with a world class, award winning, international team with strong values and perspectives on the world. You can expect to become the best version of you in terms of your career and the challenges that will test and grow you. We have a learning culture, we take risks and we are here to make an impact, if that resonates, you will thrive here.

Other things you may wonder about that we do also offer:

• Reimbursable communications allowance for internet and mobile phone bills

• Half-day off on your birthday

• Hybrid working with access to office hubs as required.

• Home office set-up with laptop, monitor and other related items.

• Coaching sessions to provide young graduates with a strong foundation for personal and professional success.

• Alumni Buddy for support through navigating the world of work.

Stronger Together

At Clickatell, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging are at the core of who we are - from how we build our product platforms to how we build our workforce. We believe that we are stronger together and by leveraging the power of diversity and inclusion, we are able to generate innovative ideas to revolutionize the way the world uses chat technology. We create common ground - Our platform is for all, and so is our workplace. Everyone is welcome at Clickatell, and our employees feel psychologically safe and empowered to show up with their authentic selves at work.