Lead Backend Engineer - Cloud Services

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health and wellness program

Hybrid work model

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Vereeniging, Gauteng, seeks a Lead Backend Engineer to drive design, building, and maintenance of scalable backend systems powering cloud services. You will lead a dispersed team, shape architectural decisions, and mentor engineers in a fast-paced environment.

The role requires 7+ years in backend development, expertise in Java/Python/Go/Node.js, and strong skills in microservices, RESTful APIs, databases, and cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP) with Docker/Kubernetes.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of backend development experience with scalable systems.
• Proficient in Java, Python, Go, or Node.js.
• Experience with cloud platforms and containerization (AWS/Azure/GCP, Docker, Kubernetes).

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy scalable backend services and APIs.
• Lead a team of backend engineers with mentorship and code reviews.
• Define architectural patterns for microservices and distributed systems.
• Ensure performance, quality, and responsiveness of applications.
• Collaborate with frontend, DevOps, and product managers to deliver integrated solutions.
• Optimize backend systems for speed, scalability, and efficiency.
• Implement and maintain CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure as code.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues in production environments.
• Stay abreast of emerging backend technologies and best practices.

Skills

Backend leadership

Distributed systems

Cloud platforms

Microservices

RESTful APIs

Databases (SQL/NoSQL)

APIs design/build

Team mentorship

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in CS/Engineering

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Kafka

RabbitMQ

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent innovator in cloud infrastructure solutions, is seeking a Lead Backend Engineer to spearhead development efforts in Vereeniging, Gauteng . This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for designing, building, and maintaining scalable, high-performance backend systems that power our client's cutting‑edge cloud services. The ideal candidate will possess a strong architectural vision, deep expertise in distributed systems, and a passion for leading and mentoring engineering teams. You will play a key role in defining technical strategy, ensuring system reliability, and driving innovation in a fast‑paced environment. This is an exceptional opportunity to influence the direction of critical backend infrastructure and contribute to the growth of a leading technology firm located in the bustling region of Vereeniging .

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy robust, scalable, and secure backend services and APIs.
• Lead a team of backend engineers, providing technical guidance, mentorship, and code reviews.
• Define and implement architectural patterns for microservices and distributed systems.
• Ensure the performance, quality, and responsiveness of applications.
• Collaborate with frontend developers, DevOps, and product managers to deliver integrated solutions.
• Optimize backend systems for maximum speed, scalability, and efficiency.
• Implement and maintain CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure as code.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues in production environments.
• Stay abreast of emerging backend technologies and best practices.

Requirements

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 7+ years of professional experience in backend development, with a proven track record of designing and building scalable systems.
• Expertise in one or more backend languages such as Java, Python, Go, or Node.js.
• Strong experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Deep understanding of microservices architecture, RESTful APIs, and database technologies (SQL and NoSQL).
• Experience with message queuing systems (e.g., Kafka, RabbitMQ).
• Proficiency in building and consuming APIs.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, attractive stock options, and a comprehensive health and wellness program.
• Employees benefit from a stimulating work environment, significant opportunities for professional development, and the chance to work on transformative cloud technologies.
• This hybrid role combines the benefits of remote work flexibility with the advantages of collaborative in-office sessions at our Vereeniging campus.