Lead Backend Software Engineer

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus structures

Health benefits

Stock options or equity participation

Fully remote work arrangement

Professional development budget

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 in Port Elizabeth is seeking a Lead Backend Software Engineer to spearhead our core platform. You will lead a team of backend developers, design scalable services, and drive architectural decisions in a fast-paced e-commerce environment.

The role requires 6+ years backend experience, strong API and database expertise, and leadership skills. Remote work is available in SA, with preference for candidates in the Eastern Cape.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in CS or related field.
• 6+ years backend development with 2+ years in a lead role.
• Expertise in Python, Node.js, Java, or Go and RESTful API design.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of scalable backend services and APIs.
• Mentor backend engineers and enforce code quality.
• Oversee microservices architecture and integration.
• Manage database design and performance tuning.
• Collaborate with frontend, product, and stakeholders.
• Drive technical strategy and roadmap planning.
• Conduct code reviews and troubleshoot production issues.

Skills

Backend leadership

API design

Database management

Distributed systems

RESTful APIs

Cloud platforms

Docker

Messaging - RabbitMQ/Kafka

Cloud/AWS/Azure/GCP

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field

Tools

RabbitMQ

Kafka

Docker

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing e-commerce platform based in Port Elizabeth , is seeking an experienced Lead Backend Software Engineer to spearhead the development of their core platform. This leadership role requires a seasoned engineer with a proven ability to design, build, and maintain high-performance, scalable backend systems. You will lead a team of backend developers, mentor junior engineers, and play a key role in architectural decisions, ensuring the robustness and efficiency of our client's online services. The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of API design, database management, and distributed systems. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of a prominent e-commerce player, working with modern technologies and contributing to a dynamic, fast-paced environment. You will drive the technical direction for critical backend services.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of scalable, reliable, and high-performance backend services and APIs.
• Mentor and guide a team of backend engineers, fostering technical excellence and code quality.
• Oversee the architecture of microservices and ensure seamless integration.
• Manage database design, optimization, and performance tuning for various data stores.
• Collaborate with frontend developers, product managers, and other stakeholders to define requirements and deliver solutions.
• Implement robust security measures and data protection practices.
• Drive the adoption of best practices in software development, testing, and deployment.
• Conduct code reviews and provide constructive feedback to team members.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex backend issues in production environments.
• Contribute to technical strategy and roadmap planning.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• 6+ years of professional backend development experience, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior role.
• Expertise in one or more backend programming languages such as Python (Django/Flask), Node.js (Express), Java (Spring), or Go.
• Strong experience designing and implementing RESTful APIs.
• Proficiency with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL databases (e.g., Redis, MongoDB).
• Experience with message queues (e.g., RabbitMQ, Kafka).
• Understanding of microservices architecture and design patterns.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization (Docker).
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management abilities.
• Experience with Agile methodologies is essential.

Preference for candidates based in or familiar with the Eastern Cape , though remote work is available.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary with attractive bonus structures.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Generous stock options or equity participation.
• Fully remote work arrangement offering significant flexibility.
• Annual budget for professional development and conferences.
• Extended paid time off and holiday leave.
• Opportunity to work with a talented and passionate team.
• Chance to make a significant impact on a growing platform.