Lead Backend Engineer (Java)

Placements24; South Africa; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Annual leave allowance

Paid sick leave

Training & conferences

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa seeks a Lead Backend Engineer to drive design and implementation of scalable Java-based backends, mentor engineers, and collaborate with product teams to shape the platform architecture.

This hybrid role in Gauteng offers hands-on leadership, cloud-aware development (Spring Boot, microservices), and a culture of excellence. You will optimize performance, mentor peers, and lead best practices across the backend stack.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent.
• Minimum 6 years of backend experience with at least 2 years in lead/senior roles.
• Strong Java expertise with Spring Boot and RESTful APIs.
• Experience with microservices, relational/noSQL databases, and containers.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and deployment of scalable Java-based backend services.
• Mentor a team of backend engineers and collaborate with product teams.
• Architect microservices and ensure code quality and performance.
• Drive performance optimizations and infrastructure improvements.

Skills

Java

Spring Boot

REST APIs

Microservices

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

Azure

PostgreSQL

MongoDB

Education

Bachelor's in CS/Software Eng

Tools

Kafka

RabbitMQ

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for a passionate and experienced Lead Backend Engineer with deep expertise in Java to spearhead the development of their next-generation backend systems. This hybrid role combines the benefits of remote flexibility with valuable in-person collaboration, based in Tembisa, Gauteng . You will be instrumental in driving architectural decisions, mentoring a team of talented engineers, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, scalable, and performant backend services. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact on a product that is shaping the future of its industry. You will lead by example, fostering a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement within the engineering department.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of robust and scalable backend services using Java and related frameworks (e.g., Spring Boot).
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to a team of backend engineers, fostering their growth and development.
• Collaborate closely with front-end developers, product managers, and other stakeholders to define project requirements and technical solutions.
• Architect and implement microservices-based solutions adhering to best practices.
• Ensure code quality, performance, and maintainability through rigorous code reviews and testing.
• Optimize backend systems for maximum speed, scalability, and reliability.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues across the backend stack.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of development processes, tools, and infrastructure.
• Stay updated with the latest backend technologies and industry trends.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in backend development, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior capacity.
• Strong proficiency in Java and its ecosystem, including frameworks like Spring Boot.
• Experience designing and developing RESTful APIs and microservices.
• Familiarity with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB).
• Experience with message queues (e.g., Kafka, RabbitMQ) is a plus.
• Knowledge of containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) is advantageous.
• Excellent problem-solving, debugging, and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively lead and collaborate.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund contributions are provided.
• Employees enjoy a generous annual leave allowance and paid sick leave.
• Opportunities for professional development, including access to training programs and industry conferences, are available.
• The hybrid work model allows for a balance between remote work and in-office collaboration.
• Our client fosters a supportive and innovative work environment where your contributions are valued.