Full Stack Engineer

M-KOPA Solar

Nairobifull time~KES 130k – 220k/mo3w ago

Quick Take

The Role

Build and maintain customer-facing web applications and internal tools across the full stack using React, Node.js/Python, and PostgreSQL.

You Need

3+ years of full stack experience with strong proficiency in React and at least one backend language (Node.js, Python, or Go), plus hands-on PostgreSQL and REST API experience.

You Get

A competitive above-market salary of KES 130,000–220,000/mo, the chance to work at East Africa's leading solar energy company, and real impact powering over 1 million homes.

Job Description

•Role Overview

M-KOPA Solar, East Africa's foremost pay-as-you-go solar energy provider with a customer base of over one million households, is looking for a talented Full Stack Engineer to strengthen its growing technology division. This is an exciting opportunity to work on products that directly impact energy access across the region.

Based in Nairobi, the successful candidate will work at the intersection of frontend and backend development, helping to design, build, and maintain software solutions that serve both customers and internal teams. You will be part of a collaborative engineering culture that values quality, innovation, and continuous improvement.

•Key Responsibilities

Design, develop, and maintain customer-facing web applications as well as internal business tools
Work across the full technology stack, including React on the frontend and Node.js or Python on the backend, with PostgreSQL as the primary database
Partner closely with product managers and design teams to translate requirements into well-engineered, shippable features
Actively participate in code reviews, helping to uphold and advance engineering standards and best practices across the team

•Required Skills & Experience

A minimum of three years of hands-on experience in full stack software development
Strong proficiency in React for frontend development
Solid command of at least one backend programming language — Node.js, Python, or Go
Practical experience working with PostgreSQL databases and building or consuming REST APIs
Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving abilities with a keen attention to detail

•Who Should Apply

This role is best suited to a self-motivated software engineer who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. You are comfortable owning features end-to-end — from database schema to user interface — and you enjoy collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver meaningful outcomes. If you are passionate about leveraging technology to improve lives across Africa and meet the technical requirements outlined above, M-KOPA Solar encourages you to put forward your application. The position is open to candidates based in or willing to work from Nairobi, Kenya.

•How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply through the official M-KOPA Solar careers portal or the job listing platform where this position was advertised. Ensure your application includes an up-to-date CV and any supporting information that demonstrates your suitability for the role. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Requirements Breakdown

Must Have

3+ years of full stack development experience
Proficiency in React for frontend development
Experience with at least one backend language: Node.js, Python, or Go
Hands-on experience with PostgreSQL and REST APIs
Strong problem-solving and debugging skills

Nice to Have

Experience working in agile product teams alongside designers and PMs
Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Azure
Prior experience in fintech, energy tech, or high-growth startups
Contribution to code reviews and engineering best practices

Don't meet every requirement? Tailor your CV to close the gap →

Salary Context

Above market rate for a Full Stack Engineer in Nairobi

The typical salary range for a mid-level Full Stack Engineer in Nairobi sits between KES 80,000–150,000/mo, making M-KOPA's upper band of KES 220,000 highly competitive and more reflective of senior-level compensation. Pay in this field is influenced by depth of experience, the specific tech stack, and whether the employer is a local company, NGO-adjacent, or a funded tech startup like M-KOPA.

About M-KOPA Solar

M-KOPA Solar is East Africa's leading pay-as-you-go solar energy company, enabling low-income households to access clean energy through affordable installment payments via mobile money. With over 1 million homes powered across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and beyond, M-KOPA sits at the intersection of fintech and clean energy — one of the most impactful sectors on the continent. Working here means joining a mission-driven, well-funded scale-up with a proven model and significant room for both personal and professional growth.

Likely Interview Questions

1
Walk us through a full stack feature you built end-to-end — what were the architectural decisions you made and why?
2
How have you handled performance bottlenecks in a PostgreSQL database with large datasets?
3
Describe your experience designing or consuming REST APIs — how do you ensure they are secure, versioned, and well-documented?
4
How do you approach code reviews — what do you look for and how do you handle disagreements with teammates?
5
Tell us about a time you worked closely with a product or design team — how did you manage competing priorities or unclear requirements?

Application Tips

Showcase specific full stack projects in your CV or portfolio — link to GitHub repos or live apps that demonstrate React frontends connected to Node.js or Python backends with a real database.
Highlight any experience with pay-as-you-go systems, mobile money integrations (e.g. M-Pesa), or high-volume transactional platforms, as these are directly relevant to M-KOPA's core product.
Mention your involvement in code reviews or engineering process improvements — M-KOPA explicitly values engineering best practices, so demonstrating a culture-fit around quality and collaboration will set you apart.

Career Path

Roles that lead here

Junior / Mid-level Frontend or Backend Developer

Software Engineer at a startup or agency with exposure to both layers of the stack

YOU

Where this leads

Senior Full Stack Engineer or Tech Lead

Engineering Manager or Principal Engineer

Skills & Keywords

reactnodejspostgresqlfullstack

Honest Assessment

Green Flags

Salary range is transparently stated and sits above market for Nairobi-based Full Stack Engineers, signalling employer maturity and respect for candidates.
M-KOPA is a well-established, mission-driven company with over 1 million customers — offering genuine stability and meaningful work rather than an unproven early-stage risk.
The role spans the full stack with a modern, in-demand tech stack (React, Node.js, Python, PostgreSQL), ensuring strong skill development and market transferability.
Cross-functional collaboration with product and design teams suggests a structured, product-led engineering culture with room for engineers to have real input.

Watch Out

The job description does not mention remote or hybrid work options, which may be a concern for candidates outside Nairobi or those preferring flexible arrangements.
Benefits, equity, or bonus structures are not mentioned — candidates should clarify total compensation beyond the base salary during the interview process.

A Day in the Life

☀️

On a typical week, you might start Monday in a sprint planning session with your product manager and designer, scoping out a new feature for M-KOPA's customer portal. Mid-week, you're deep in code — building a React component on the frontend while wiring it to a Python API endpoint that queries PostgreSQL for customer payment data. By Friday, you're submitting a pull request, responding to feedback in a code review, and possibly debugging a reported issue in an internal tool used by the field operations team.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to apply for the Full Stack Engineer role at M-KOPA Solar?

You need at least 3 years of full stack development experience, proficiency in React, and strong skills in at least one backend language — Node.js, Python, or Go — along with hands-on PostgreSQL and REST API experience.

Is the Full Stack Engineer position at M-KOPA Solar remote or office-based?

The role is listed as based in Nairobi with no mention of remote or hybrid options, so candidates should assume on-site presence and confirm flexibility directly with the hiring team.

How much does a Full Stack Engineer earn at M-KOPA Solar?

M-KOPA is offering KES 130,000–220,000 per month for this role, which is above the typical Nairobi market rate and competitive even at the senior end of the full stack engineering spectrum in Kenya.

What are the career growth opportunities for a Full Stack Engineer at M-KOPA Solar?

Given M-KOPA's scale and continued expansion across Africa, strong engineers can grow into Senior Engineer, Tech Lead, or Engineering Manager roles, with exposure to complex, high-impact systems across fintech and clean energy.

Free Match Score