Tana is an organization dedicated to empowering Kenya’s brightest young minds by providing them with opportunities to start impactful careers in technology and data. The company’s mission is to connect skilled professionals with global employment opportunities, particularly with top-tier companies across North America and Europe. Through extensive training, mentorship, and placement, Tana prepares Kenyan talent to thrive in international work environments, creating a bridge between local expertise and global demand.
As part of its continued effort to expand opportunities in the technology sector, Tana is seeking to recruit a Software Engineer (Java). The successful candidate will join one of Tana’s partner companies and contribute to high-impact software engineering projects. This is a full-time position based in Nairobi, Kenya, with hybrid work arrangements.
The role offers an opportunity for software professionals to collaborate with global teams and contribute to developing modern, scalable, and efficient Java-based systems. The position is designed for individuals passionate about software development, automation, and system design, who can adapt to dynamic technical challenges while maintaining professional standards of quality and efficiency.
Position Overview
The Java Software Engineer will play a critical role in the design, development, and maintenance of applications and tools used by global clients. Tana’s partner companies include a leading U.S.-based software firm focused on next-generation automation platforms and a global network security company serving Fortune 500 clients.
The role involves contributing to the modernization of legacy systems, building robust applications, and participating in continuous improvement initiatives within the development lifecycle. Candidates will work closely with other engineers, analysts, and product teams in a collaborative environment that emphasizes agile methodologies, innovation, and technical excellence.
This position provides a platform to work on advanced technologies while learning from experienced professionals in the international technology landscape. It also allows for professional growth through exposure to complex projects and real-world application of engineering principles.
Key Responsibilities
The specific responsibilities of the Java Software Engineer will depend on the partner company to which the successful candidate is assigned. However, typical responsibilities are expected to include the following:
- Software Development and Maintenance
- Develop, test, and maintain software tools designed to automate the migration of Java-based applications from legacy environments to modern frameworks.
- Write clean, efficient, and maintainable code that adheres to industry standards and internal best practices.
- Design and implement new features using Java-based frameworks that interact with diverse client systems and protocols.
- System Analysis and Architecture Transformation
- Analyze source applications to understand their structure, logic, and data flow.
- Participate in transforming legacy applications into scalable, cloud-compatible systems with improved functionality and performance.
- Collaborate with system architects and senior engineers to design tools that enhance automation and integration efficiency.
- Collaboration and Agile Development
- Work closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers, data engineers, and DevOps specialists, to deliver high-quality software solutions.
- Participate in daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives within an Agile development environment.
- Communicate effectively with global teams, providing updates on development progress and challenges.
- Troubleshooting and Debugging
- Identify, analyze, and resolve technical issues within assigned projects.
- Perform debugging and performance optimization to ensure smooth functionality across environments.
- Collaborate with QA teams to ensure thorough testing and bug-free releases.
- Tool and Framework Design
- Contribute to the design of automation tools that facilitate code migration and application performance improvement.
- Follow existing engineering patterns and frameworks while suggesting improvements based on project needs and technological advancements.
- Continuous Improvement and Documentation
- Document technical procedures, workflows, and best practices to support knowledge sharing within the team.
- Stay updated with emerging technologies and trends in Java development, applying relevant practices to enhance efficiency.
- Participate in code reviews, mentoring, and technical discussions to maintain code quality and foster a culture of learning.
- Integration and Testing
- Implement unit tests and integration tests using established testing frameworks such as JUnit.
- Adopt a test-driven development approach to ensure reliability and scalability of all code produced.
- Work closely with QA engineers to automate testing processes and ensure that product requirements are met.
- Collaboration with Global Clients
- Interact with clients in North America and Europe to understand project specifications, timelines, and deliverables.
- Ensure clear communication of project progress, technical challenges, and proposed solutions.
- Demonstrate cultural awareness and adaptability in working across time zones and multicultural teams.
- Legacy Systems Transformation
- Support the migration of legacy codebases by designing automated solutions that simplify the transition process.
- Identify areas within legacy systems that require restructuring, optimization, or replacement.
- Assist in designing middleware components that ensure interoperability between old and new systems.
- Version Control and Workflow Management
- Utilize tools such as Git and Jira to manage version control, track project progress, and facilitate collaboration among developers.
- Ensure adherence to change management protocols and maintain accurate records of all code modifications.
Required Experience and Technical Skills
The ideal candidate will have at least two years of hands-on experience in professional Java development. The role demands a strong understanding of software engineering principles, data structures, and system design. The following technical competencies and skills are essential:
- Proficiency in Java programming and related frameworks.
- Strong knowledge of algorithms, data structures, and relational databases.
- Familiarity with flat-file formats and large-scale data transformations.
- Understanding of version control systems, particularly Git.
- Experience using project management and tracking tools such as Jira.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly when dealing with legacy systems.
- Familiarity with unit testing frameworks such as JUnit and a test-driven development approach.
- Ability to write clean, modular, and maintainable code with proper documentation.
Additional desirable skills include:
- Basic understanding of networking fundamentals, especially within enterprise-level systems.
- Knowledge of compiler concepts such as linking, parsing logic, and code interpretation.
Work Environment and Reporting
The Java Software Engineer will be engaged in a hybrid working arrangement, combining remote and in-office collaboration within Tana’s Nairobi workspace. The role is designed for individuals who thrive in flexible work environments that emphasize accountability, communication, and results-oriented performance.
The successful candidate will report to a Senior Engineer or Technical Lead within the client’s organization, depending on the assigned project. Collaboration with Tana’s internal coordination team will ensure smooth communication between the candidate and the client.
The work environment encourages innovation, learning, and collaboration. Engineers are expected to take initiative in problem-solving, contribute to knowledge sharing, and uphold software engineering best practices.
Contracting and Employment Terms
Selected candidates will be employed by Tana and seconded full-time to one of the organization’s partner companies. This contracting model allows Tana to manage employment, payroll, and administrative aspects while the engineer focuses on delivering technical work for the assigned client.
This approach provides Kenyan professionals the opportunity to work with international teams without the administrative barriers of overseas employment. It also ensures access to mentorship, performance feedback, and professional growth opportunities under Tana’s supervision.
The position is full-time, with performance evaluations conducted periodically to assess progress, skill development, and alignment with project objectives.
Location
The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya, with flexibility for partial remote work. Occasional travel for client meetings or internal workshops may be required.
Application Details
Interested applicants should submit their applications through the official Tana job application platform. The selection process includes technical screening, coding challenges, and interviews conducted by both Tana and the partner company’s engineering team.
Candidates who demonstrate strong technical expertise, attention to detail, and a commitment to professional growth will be prioritized for placement.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Tana is an equal opportunity employer. The company values diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of gender, race, or background. All recruitment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and organizational fit.
Application Deadline
Applications are open as of October 6, 2025. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early to ensure consideration.
