Lead Backend Engineer

Placements24; Randburg; Hybrid; ZAR 850,000 - 1,650,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Generous paid time off

Remote-friendly culture

Stock options or equity

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a seasoned Lead Backend Engineer to lead a remote-first engineering team. You will architect, develop, and scale server-side logic and APIs while mentoring backend developers and driving technical strategy.

You will collaborate with product, frontend teams, and stakeholders to deliver features, optimize performance, and ensure robust, secure systems across a fully remote environment. A strong leadership presence and clear communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of professional backend development experience, with at least 2 years in lead/senior capacity.
• Expertise in server-side languages (Python, Java, Go, Node.js) and frameworks.
• Strong understanding of SQL/NoSQL databases, caching, and queues.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and implementation of robust, scalable backend systems and APIs.
• Mentor and guide a team of backend engineers.
• Collaborate with product managers, frontend developers, and stakeholders to define requirements and deliver features.
• Drive architectural decisions, code quality standards, and development processes.
• Optimize performance, queries, and infrastructure for speed and scalability.
• Conduct code reviews and contribute to technical strategy.

Skills

Backend architecture

Team leadership

Remote collaboration

Cloud platforms

API design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced and visionary Lead Backend Engineer to join their fully remote engineering team. This role is pivotal in designing, developing, and scaling the server-side logic and APIs that power their cutting-edge applications. You will lead a team of talented backend developers, set technical direction, and ensure the delivery of high-performance, reliable, and maintainable code. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned engineer looking to make a significant impact in a dynamic, remote-first environment and mentor a growing team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of robust, scalable, and secure backend systems and APIs.
• Mentor and guide a team of backend engineers, fostering technical growth and promoting best practices.
• Collaborate closely with product managers, front-end developers, and other stakeholders to define requirements and deliver features.
• Drive architectural decisions, code quality standards, and efficient development processes.
• Optimize application performance, database queries, and system infrastructure for maximum speed and scalability.
• Conduct code reviews, participate in technical discussions, and contribute to the overall technical strategy.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of professional experience in backend software development, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior capacity.
• Expertise in one or more server-side programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, Go, Node.js) and related frameworks.
• Strong understanding of database technologies (SQL and NoSQL), caching mechanisms, and message queues.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and microservices architecture.
• Proven leadership skills and excellent communication abilities for effective remote collaboration.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and flexible working hours.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and attending virtual conferences.
• A supportive and collaborative remote team environment with a strong engineering culture.
• Stock options or equity in a rapidly growing company.