Software Trainee Developer

Since the sale of our first kit in 2013, SunCulture has been on a mission to help smallholder farmers in Africa improve both crop yields and quality. We are driven to constantly innovate and improve our technology to make solar powered irrigation solutions truly affordable for the millions of farmers on the continent.

About the Role

This Software Trainee Developer role is a one-year, full-time learning opportunity designed to give you a holistic view of software engineering in a supportive, hands-on environment. You will be guided by experienced engineers as you assist with projects across the full technology stack, learning how systems are designed, built, and maintained.

We are looking for someone with strong coding potential, a passion for learning and problem-solving, regardless of your formal background. This is a chance to accelerate your career and gain practical experience with modern software development practices.

What You'll Be Doing (Responsibilities)

• Contribute to real projects, assisting our team with both front-end (React, TypeScript) and back-end (Node.js, Python, AWS) tasks.
• Learn how to build features from end-to-end, supporting tasks from designing user interfaces to connecting APIs and databases.
• Work with our engineering team on daily workflows, including GitHub Actions, Docker, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including QA, DevOps, and Product.
• Participate in pair programming, code reviews, and team learning sessions to get direct mentorship.
• Document and present your work to peers and mentors to build your communication skills.

Learning & Exposure

This traineeship is designed to provide you with a versatile skillset and confidence as a developer. Over the year, you will:

• Work in a safe learning environment under the guidance of senior staff.
• Gain experience in both front-end and back-end contexts.
• Understand the basics of how to design and contribute to full-stack applications at scale.
• Develop experience with agile teamwork, DevOps pipelines, and system architecture basics.
• The 1 year traineeship offers a market-conform monthly stipend.
• Be exposed to our core tech stack, including:
  • JavaScript Frameworks: Node.js, TypeScript, React
  • Backend: Python Fast API, AWS Gateway and Lambda, Elastic Beanstalk
  • Databases: AWS RDS for MySQL and PostgreSQL, Redis
  • Messaging: Kafka
  • CI/CD: GitHub Actions, GitHub
  • Mobile: React Native for Android
  • Cloud Services: AWS, Azure, GCP
  • Containerization and Orchestration: Docker, Kubernetes

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

SunCulture is flexible on formal qualifications. We are more interested in your passion for technology and potential to grow. Ideal candidates will meet the following criteria:

• You are a recent graduate or are currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree, diploma, or bootcamp in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• You have some hands-on experience through coursework, internships, or personal projects in one or more of the following areas:
  • Web: HTML, CSS, JavaScript/TypeScript, React.
  • Backend: Node.js, Python, or databases (MySQL/PostgreSQL).
• Full Stack: A mix of both front-end and back-end exposure.
• You have strong curiosity to learn about cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, GCP), DevOps practices, and modern software development workflows.
• You have a strong problem-solving mindset and eagerness to tackle real-world challenges.
• You have excellent communication skills and a willingness to learn from peers and mentors.
• Bonus: An interest in IoT, embedded systems, or firmware is a plus.