Solutions Engineer

Root is a fast-growing tech startup and we're on a mission to build the future of insurance.

We are looking for a skilled, technical individual to join our Solutions Engineering team and help us design, architect and build insurance products for clients on the Root platform. Root's Solutions Engineers operate at the forefront of integrating client systems and insurance products with Root's platform to onboard and generate value for them as fast as possible. This means working directly with clients to understand their systems, pains and business requirements in order to implement optimal, low-risk and low-maintenance solutions.

You will play a key role in the product solutioning and architecture process, and your work will ensure that products are robust, accurate and optimised to meet client needs. You will be working closely with different technical teams, both internally and externally, architecting Root-based solutions. Ultimately, you'll build these insurance products with our Root tools and packages in a scalable, clean, and easily comprehensible manner for other engineers to integrate with.

You can read up more on some of the tools we've created to build insurance products in our docs here. This is an exciting opportunity for a proactive person who really enjoys solving technical problems.

A snapshot of the tools our solutions engineers regularly use:

• JavaScript/Typescript - for encoding insurance business rules
• NodeJS - for using npm packages effectively in solutions
• JSON - for configuring UI components
• HTML & CSS - for configuring document templates
• Postman (or similar tool) - for interacting with and testing APIs
• Git & GitHub - for source control
• Mocha and Chai - for writing robust unit tests
• AWS - Specifically S3, Serverless and Lambda.

This full-time role is based at our De Waterkant office in Cape Town, working on a hybrid work model.

• Design and develop bespoke insurance products and integrations for key customers using the Root rails.
• Guide customers through this integration progress, from design to launching the product.
• Answer customer technical product questions during implementation and champion Root related product integrations.
• Advise technical solutions for prospective and new customers planning to build products with Root, including demoing, leading workshops and showcasing the product integration process.
• Implement products using the coding standards set by the team.
• Test products thoroughly to ensure that our customers experience a seamless and error-free product implementation and launch.
• Document client requirements in the product specification document in a clear and explicit manner.
• Preemptively identify and solve potential issues and pains that our customers may experience.
• As a Solutions Engineer, collaborate closely with the Projects, Product and Sales Teams to ensure both Root and our clients have a thorough and complete systems understanding prior to and during launch.
• Actively and consistently direct clients toward adopting Root-aligned practice.
• Design solutions with the overarching aim of rapid, effective systems integration and speed-to-market.

• Minimum of 2 years experience working as a developer.
• Bachelor's degree in computer science or similar engineering degree is advantageous.
• Competency in JavaScript/TypeScript, NodeJS and Git.
• Advantages competency in the following AWS tools: S3, Lambda, EC2, API Gateway, IAM & DynamoDB.
• Able to collaborate and communicate with customers to capture, guide, and define business requirements, and to translate those requirements into a working solution.
• Able to rapidly prototype and test a solution to a problem.
• Able to clearly articulate complex problems and solutions to both a technical and non-technical audience.
• High attention to detail, especially when documenting, writing and coding.
• Good understanding of basic data models (e.g. the purpose of primary keys).
• Excellent understanding of APIs and software integration.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to manage your personal time, output and energy well.
• Comfortable working under pressure.
• A self-starter with, a high output-driven attitude.

Bonus points/nice to have

• Experience in the insurance industry.
• Experience working with customers to capture and define requirements.

Our mission is to enable innovation in insurance by building the infrastructure required to reach the future of insurance. We are striving to be the global API standard for insurance.

• Lead by example: "Lean in, take charge, and always set a positive precedent."
• Exceed expectations: "Know your customer to delight your customer."
• Rally as one team: "Put aside egos and personal agendas to triumph as one."
• Own the mission: "Your job is not done until the job is done."
• Rise to the challenge: "Meaningful change requires meaningful effort and the courage to make bold moves."

Our team is made up of smart, passionate, and kind individuals working together to build a world-class business. We take the time to develop personal relationships with each other. Over and above daily team lunches, we do frequent team outings and ad-hoc adventures (when global pandemics permit).

We create and enable an environment for people to do their best work. To support this, we focus on a culture of autonomy, transparency and trust. As a startup, we care a lot about innovation, and believe in an iterative way of working to drive innovation forward. We encourage each other and foster a working culture of sharing early versions of our work and implementing feedback fast.

We have ambitious goals. Our mission is to transform insurance, globally, and we're making solid progress in South Africa and the UK. Your contribution will directly and visibly impact Root's continued success and expansion.

Our team is incredibly friendly and collaborative. If you care about solving challenging problems with smart people you enjoy being around, this is the place for you.

Please note… Open positions at Root are competitive and we often receive high volumes of applicants. If you have not received further updates on your application after three weeks, you're welcome to request feedback.