Lead Software Developer (Backend)

Placements24; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health insurance

Career growth

Remote work

Flexible hours

Team culture

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa seeks a Lead Software Developer (Backend) to drive backend strategy in a fully remote role. You will guide architecture, set coding standards, and mentor a team of developers to deliver scalable, high-quality services.

The role requires 7+ years in backend, deep experience with at least one major language, microservices and REST APIs, plus cloud and containers. You will collaborate with product and frontend teams to ship robust solutions and promote best practices

Qualifications

• 7+ years of backend development experience with a track record of leading projects.
• Expertise in at least one major backend language (e.g., Java, Python, Node.js, C#).
• Strong database design knowledge (SQL/NoSQL) and microservices experience.
• Experience designing RESTful APIs and scalable backend architectures.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of robust backend services and APIs.
• Mentor and guide a team of backend developers, ensuring code quality and growth.
• Architect scalable, resilient solutions and make key technical decisions.
• Collaborate with product managers, frontend developers, and stakeholders to define requirements and deliver features.
• Champion best practices including TDD, code reviews, and CI/CD.
• Troubleshoot complex issues in production and development environments.

Skills

Backend architecture

Leadership

Mentoring

APIs

Cloud platforms

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Lead Software Developer (Backend) to spearhead their backend development efforts in a fully remote capacity. This leadership role is critical for guiding the technical direction, mentoring a team of talented developers, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, scalable, and performant backend systems. You will play a key part in architecting solutions, driving best practices, and fostering a collaborative and innovative development environment. This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced developer looking to make a significant impact and grow their career in a remote-first organization that values technical excellence and employee development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of robust backend services and APIs using modern technologies.
• Mentor and guide a team of backend developers, fostering their technical growth and ensuring code quality.
• Architect scalable and resilient solutions, making key technical decisions that impact the product's long-term viability.
• Collaborate closely with product managers, frontend developers, and other stakeholders to define requirements and deliver features.
• Champion best practices in software development, including TDD, code reviews, and CI/CD.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues in production and development environments.

Requirements

• Extensive experience (7+ years) in backend software development, with a proven track record of leading projects.
• Expertise in at least one major backend programming language (e.g., Java, Python, Node.js, C#).
• Strong understanding of database design and optimization (SQL and NoSQL).
• Experience designing and implementing microservices architectures and RESTful APIs.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization technologies.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, with a passion for mentoring others.

Benefits

• A highly competitive salary package and potential for stock options.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement and skill development.
• A fully remote work environment with flexible hours.
• A supportive and collaborative team culture that encourages innovation and continuous learning.