Lead Backend Engineer - FinTech Solutions

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus structure

Medical benefits

Retirement benefits

Stock options

Career growth

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town is seeking an experienced Lead Backend Engineer to lead a team in building scalable, secure backend systems for FinTech solutions. You will guide architecture decisions, drive best practices, and mentor developers in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

The role is on-site in Cape Town, requiring strong leadership and hands-on backend expertise across languages and cloud platforms.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of backend software development experience.
• Proven experience in architecting and building scalable backend systems, preferably FinTech.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Expertise in one or more backend languages such as Python, Java, Go, or Node.js.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of backend engineers, providing technical guidance and fostering collaboration.
• Architect, design, and develop scalable, high-performance, secure backend services and APIs.
• Oversee the SDLC from requirements to deployment and maintenance.
• Make key technical decisions about languages, frameworks, databases, and architecture.
• Ensure code quality, performance, and security through reviews and testing.
• Collaborate with frontend, product, and stakeholders to deliver features.
• Drive best practices in development, Agile, and DevOps.

Skills

Leadership

Backend architecture

Python/Java/Go/Node.js

Cloud platforms

Docker/Kubernetes

REST APIs

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic and innovative financial technology company based in the vibrant city of Cape Town , is seeking an experienced and visionary Lead Backend Engineer . This critical role will involve leading a talented team of developers in designing, building, and maintaining robust, scalable, and secure backend systems that power our cutting-edge FinTech solutions. You will be responsible for architectural decisions, technical direction, and ensuring the highest standards of code quality and performance. The ideal candidate possesses strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of backend development principles, and a passion for innovation in the financial services industry. This is an on-site role, offering the opportunity for close collaboration and mentorship within a high-performing team in the thriving tech hub of the Western Cape .

Key Responsibilities

Lead and mentor a team of backend engineers, providing technical guidance and fostering a collaborative environment. Architect, design, and develop scalable, high-performance, and secure backend services and APIs. Oversee the entire software development lifecycle, from requirements gathering to deployment and maintenance. Make key technical decisions regarding programming languages, frameworks, databases, and system architecture. Ensure code quality, performance, and security standards are met through code reviews and testing. Collaborate closely with frontend developers, product managers, and other stakeholders to deliver features. Drive the adoption of best practices in software development, including agile methodologies and DevOps principles. Identify and address performance bottlenecks and technical debt. Participate in the recruitment and onboarding of new engineering talent. Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends in FinTech and backend development.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field. 8+ years of experience in backend software development, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior technical role. Proven experience in architecting and building complex, scalable backend systems, preferably in the FinTech domain. Expertise in one or more backend languages such as Python, Java, Go, or Node.js. Strong experience with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and/or NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra). Proficiency in designing and implementing RESTful APIs and microservices. Solid understanding of security best practices in web application development. Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) is highly desirable. Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities. Experience with Agile development methodologies.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, attractive bonus structure, comprehensive medical and retirement benefits, stock options, and opportunities for professional growth and development. This role is based in the beautiful city of Cape Town , offering a fantastic work-life balance and the chance to make a significant impact in the FinTech sector.