Lead Software Engineer - Backend

Placements24; United States; Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary with performance bonuses

Medical aid & retirement contributions

Professional development & conferences

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Software Engineer (Backend) to guide a team toward building robust, scalable backend systems. The role involves architectural leadership, mentoring junior engineers, and shaping the technical roadmap.

You will collaborate with product and frontend teams, establish coding standards, and ensure secure, reliable services in a hybrid Randburg environment with both remote and office work options.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of professional software development experience, with 3+ years in leadership or mentoring roles.
• Extensive backend experience with Python, Java, Node.js, Go, or similar.
• Experience with relational and/or NoSQL databases and cloud platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of backend engineers.
• Architect scalable, high-performance backend systems and APIs.
• Collaborate with product managers and frontend engineers to deliver features.
• Drive coding standards, code reviews, testing, and CI/CD practices.
• Oversee deployment, monitoring, and maintenance of services in production.

Skills

Backend leadership

Team mentoring

Microservices

Cloud platforms

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/SE

Tools

PostgreSQL

MySQL

MongoDB

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing tech firm in Randburg, Gauteng , is looking for an experienced Lead Software Engineer with a specialization in backend development. This is a key leadership role where you will guide a team of talented engineers, architect robust and scalable solutions, and drive the technical direction of our core products. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of backend technologies, a passion for building high-performance systems, and proven experience in leading engineering teams. You will be instrumental in shaping our engineering culture, mentoring junior developers, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, reliable software. This hybrid role offers the flexibility to work both remotely and from our modern Randburg office, fostering collaboration and innovation. We are committed to building cutting-edge technology and are seeking a leader who can inspire and empower their team to achieve ambitious goals in the competitive Gauteng tech scene.

Key Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and manage a team of backend software engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement. Architect, design, and implement scalable, high-performance, and reliable backend systems and APIs using modern technologies. Collaborate closely with product managers, frontend engineers, and other stakeholders to define requirements and deliver features. Drive technical decision-making, establish coding standards, and ensure code quality through rigorous code reviews and testing. Optimize application performance, identify and resolve bottlenecks, and ensure the security and integrity of data. Contribute to the overall technical strategy and roadmap of the company. Oversee the deployment, monitoring, and maintenance of backend services in production environments. Evaluate and introduce new technologies and tools to enhance development efficiency and system capabilities. Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues across the backend stack. Participate in agile development processes, including sprint planning, stand-ups, and retrospectives.

Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field. A minimum of 8 years of professional software development experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership or mentoring role. Extensive experience in designing and developing backend services using languages such as Python, Java, Node.js, Go, or similar. Proficiency with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and/or NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra). Strong understanding of microservices architecture, RESTful APIs, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP). Experience with containerization technologies like Docker and orchestration tools like Kubernetes. Solid understanding of software development best practices, including CI/CD, testing methodologies, and version control (Git). Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and debugging skills. Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and guide a team. Must be legally authorized to work in South Africa.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, performance-based bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical aid and retirement contributions. This hybrid role provides the flexibility of remote work combined with collaborative office time in Randburg . Employees benefit from opportunities for professional development, attending conferences, and working with cutting-edge technologies. Join a dynamic team shaping the future of technology in Gauteng .