Open to opportunities

Tawanda Makunike

@tawanike

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Intermediate Backend Engineer specializing in Python, Django, and scalable systems.

South Africa

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What I'm looking for

I seek engineering roles where I can design scalable backend systems, lead architecture decisions, collaborate cross-functionally, and drive technical strategy in a growth-oriented, team-focused environment.

I am an Intermediate Backend Engineer with a strong foundation in full-stack development and system architecture, specializing in Python and Django. I have led platform architecture and engineering efforts, transforming monolithic systems into microservices and improving deployment efficiency on AWS.

My experience spans engineering leadership, backend APIs, frontend integrations, automation scripting, and data analytics using Pandas to improve team productivity. I have successfully delivered products such as eButler, JoelTransport.co.za, and other scalable services while collaborating closely with product owners, designers, and cross-functional teams.

I am passionate about building robust, maintainable systems and driving technical strategy that aligns with business goals. I consistently contribute to code quality, documentation, and platform performance while mentoring and coordinating teams to achieve measurable improvements.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Intermediate Backend Engineer

Current

4-Sure Technology Solutions

Jul 2023 - Present (2 years 3 months)

Contributed to Django/Python monolithic systems and led transformation efforts to microservices, improving system efficiency and reliability; automated workflows and conducted code reviews to raise code quality and team productivity.

Python Django Microservices Pandas Golang Automation)Code Review Agile

Lead Engineer

TransAfrica Strategic Advisory

Dec 2022 - May 2023 (5 months)

Led platform architecture and AWS-based engineering for JoelTransport.co.za, designing scalable components and APIs in Python to improve deployment efficiency and frontend performance.

AWS Python API Design Scalability Documentation Deployment

Full Stack Python Engineer

Philippines Call Center Seats

Mar 2021 - Apr 2023 (2 years 1 month)

Built reusable VueJS frontend components and developed scalable Python APIs to integrate front- and back-end systems, led code reviews and sprint planning to improve team delivery.

Python API Development Frontend Code Review Sprint Planning Scalability Team Collaboration

Full Stack Python Engineer

Siyavula Education

Apr 2022 - Dec 2022 (8 months)

Maintained production servers with after-hours support and designed solutions for complex business problems using Python and JavaScript, improving reliability and user experience.

Python JavaScript HTML CSS Deployment Architecture Code Review

Chief Technology Officer

Mmogo Media Pty Ltd

Jun 2018 - Feb 2022 (3 years 8 months)

Led architecture and engineering for eButler.co.za and Flemoji.com, defined technology strategy, and integrated WhatsApp Business API solutions to improve user engagement and operational efficiency.

Technical Strategy Python Django NodeJS WhatsApp Business API Integration Product Leadership

Product Manager & Lead Developer

Amalganation

Mar 2020 - Nov 2020 (8 months)

Redesigned a freelance job management platform, planned and delivered the MVP and led ongoing development of the full product offering from design through implementation.

Product Management Roadmapping Technical Leadership NodeJS AWS React ReactJS

Full Stack Developer

Leadbook Pte Ltd

Mar 2019 - Feb 2020 (11 months)

Designed and implemented a microservice for email verification/validation using Kafka to process over 100 million contacts, improving data quality and scalability.

Microservices Kafka Email Verification Scalability Python System Design Data Processing Performance

Data Analyst and Software Engineer

Praekelt Consulting

Sep 2017 - Feb 2019 (1 year 5 months)

Designed and implemented web analytics and conversion tracking for MTN platforms, standardizing tracking to improve data accuracy for product and design teams.

Web Analytics Pandas Conversion Tracking Python Implementation

Content Curator

Praekelt Consulting

Mar 2014 - Aug 2017 (3 years 5 months)

Led content curation for Telkom Group online platforms, using data analytics to enhance user engagement and content relevance across product catalogues.

Data Analytics Pandas CMS User Engagement Content Strategy

Chief Technology Officer

BUISOFT Pty Ltd

Jan 2015 - Mar 2017 (2 years 2 months)

Defined technology policies and built the flagship eButler on-demand grocery platform using Python/Django and NodeJS, integrating payments and search to enable multi-sided marketplace functionality.