Junior Developer - AI Automation at Yoyo

Yoyo is seeking a driven and curious Junior Developer - AI Automation to join their innovative Engineering team in Cape Town on a hybrid work model. Founded in 2007, Yoyo powers leading payment, ordering, and loyalty software experiences for over 27,000 stores across South Africa and beyond, seamlessly connecting top retailers, financial institutions, and millions of active monthly users. In this role, the successful candidate will work at the cutting-edge intersection of software engineering and artificial intelligence, building intelligent workflows and automated pipelines that optimize both internal systems and customer-facing platforms under the direct mentorship of senior software engineers.

Key Responsibilities

• Automated Workflow Design: Design, build, test, and maintain robust automated workflows combining traditional programming languages (Java, TypeScript) with modern AI and Large Language Model (LLM) capabilities.

• AI Integration: Integrate state-of-the-art AI models and external APIs (such as OpenAI and Anthropic Claude) into existing core systems and operational processes.

• Process Transformation: Collaborate closely with senior engineering staff to translate manual or semi-automated business processes into efficient, intelligent, and scalable pipelines.

• Testing & Reliability: Perform thorough testing, debugging, and continuous refinement of automation scripts using modern tools to ensure peak reliability and accuracy in production.

• Documentation & Knowledge Sharing: Write clear, comprehensive documentation for technical and non-technical stakeholders and actively contribute to internal AI tooling best practices.

Why Join the Company

Joining Yoyo offers early-career software developers a rare opportunity to gain hands-on experience building production-grade AI applications from the ground up. You will receive structured mentorship from experienced senior developers in a modern hybrid engineering environment. Yoyo fosters a culture of continuous learning, curiosity, and high-impact software delivery that empowers developers to solve real-world problems for millions of retail and banking users across South Africa.

Application Strategy (Exclusive)

• Highlight Practical AI & Automation Projects: Showcase personal, academic, or open-source GitHub repositories that demonstrate your experience connecting APIs, prompt engineering, or building automated scripts using Java or TypeScript.

• Emphasize Code Quality and Logic: Detail your foundational software development principles in your CV, focusing on clean code, automated testing (e.g., Playwright), and robust problem-solving abilities.

• Demonstrate Clear Communication: Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your ability to articulate complex technical workflows in simple, accessible language for cross-functional business teams.

Interview Preparation

Candidates preparing for technical and behavioural assessments should be ready to answer key automation and engineering questions, such as:

• "How would you handle API rate limits and unexpected response formatting when integrating an LLM into an automated backend workflow?"

• "Can you walk us through a project where you used Java or TypeScript to solve a practical problem or automate a repetitive task?"

Candidates can practice structured, professional responses to technical and competency-based questions using the Xhosadev Interview Simulator.

How to Apply

To submit your application for this hybrid position based in Cape Town, ensure your CV and portfolio links are up to date. Quote the official reference number during submission:

Reference: RAS260921-1

Please apply using the Quick Apply button on this page before the closing date on 17 October 2026.

• 0 to 2 years of commercial software engineering experience, or a strong portfolio of personal/academic projects demonstrating relevant programming skills.

• Degree or diploma in Computer Science or a related STEM field, or equivalent practical experience gained through accredited coding bootcamps or self-directed project development.

• Demonstrated working knowledge of Java and TypeScript.

• Practical exposure to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Model (LLM) concepts, prompt engineering, or REST API integrations.

• Experience with automated testing tools such as Playwright and version control using GitHub is considered an advantage.

• Strong analytical, logical thinking, and problem-solving abilities with a strong desire to learn and receive technical mentorship.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills suitable for technical documentation and cross-team collaboration.