Senior Software Engineer (C/Linux)

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Job Type: Full-Time

 

Overview

An innovative technology company in the warehousing automation space is seeking a Senior Software Engineer (C/Linux) to join their high-performance development team. The ideal candidate will bring expert-level C programming skills and deep Linux systems knowledge to help design and deliver robust, real-time software solutions integrated with complex hardware environments. This is a senior technical role offering the opportunity to lead projects, mentor engineers, and shape the future of intelligent automation systems.

 

Key Responsibilities

Design and implement high-performance, low-level software in C on Linux platforms

 

Lead architecture discussions and contribute to the direction of core system components

 

Optimize software for memory management, threading, and inter-process communication

 

Develop and maintain shell scripts, build systems (Make/CMake), and automation tools

 

Conduct code reviews, establish coding standards, and support peer learning

 

Collaborate with hardware engineers and cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration

 

Troubleshoot system-level issues using tools such as GDB, Valgrind, and strace

 

Implement robust testing strategies and contribute to CI/CD pipelines

 

Promote best practices in secure, scalable, and safety-critical systems development

 

Required Skills & Experience

5+ years of experience in systems or embedded software development

 

Expert proficiency in C programming and strong experience with Linux (user space and/or kernel space)

 

Solid understanding of POSIX APIs, memory management, threading, IPC, and file systems

 

Hands-on experience with Git, Make/CMake, and common Linux debugging tools

 

Proven ability to lead projects and mentor junior engineers

 

Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills in real-time or performance-critical systems

 

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s or Honours degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field

 

Equivalent practical experience or relevant certifications will also be considered

 

Bonus Skills

Experience with RTOS or real-time Linux (e.g., PREEMPT_RT)

 

Background in industrial automation, robotics, or logistics systems

 

Familiarity with device drivers, fieldbus protocols, or hardware-level programming

 

Experience with CI/CD, cross-compilation, or embedded Linux toolchains

 

Understanding of cybersecurity in embedded or networked systems

 

What’s on Offer

Competitive salary and benefits

 

Leadership opportunities in real-world automation projects

 

A collaborative, innovation-driven work environment

 

Ongoing technical training and access to certifications