Lead Software Developer (Backend)

Placements24; Soweto; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Remote work flexibility

Professional development programs

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Software Developer (Backend) to lead a fully remote team building scalable backend services and microservices architectures. You will mentor engineers, shape technical strategy, ensure robust design, security, and high-quality delivery across the platform.

You will collaborate with product management, drive best practices, and oversee the end-to-end lifecycle from design to deployment, fostering an engineering culture of excellence in a fast-growing

Qualifications

• 7+ years in backend software development with at least 2 years in a technical leadership role.
• Deep expertise in designing and building microservices architectures.
• Proficiency in one or more modern backend languages (Java, Python, Go, Node.js).
• Extensive experience with cloud platforms and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Strong understanding of SQL/NoSQL databases and distributed systems.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor engineering teams; strong communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of backend engineers; foster technical excellence.
• Architect, design, and implement scalable, secure backend services and APIs.
• Drive code quality, testing, and performance optimization.
• Collaborate with product management to define technical strategy & roadmap.
• Oversee the full SDLC from conception to deployment and maintenance.
• Conduct code reviews and provide constructive feedback.
• Troubleshoot complex issues and ensure timely resolutions.
• Evaluate new technologies to enhance platform capabilities and security.

Skills

Team leadership

Backend development

Microservices

Java

Python

Go

Node.js

Cloud platforms

Docker

Kubernetes

SQL/NoSQL

CI/CD

IaC

Problem solving

Communication

Education

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

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly expanding tech startup focused on innovative financial solutions, is seeking an experienced and driven Lead Software Developer (Backend) to join their fully remote team. This pivotal role requires strong technical leadership, architectural vision, and hands-on coding expertise to guide the development of our core platform. You will be responsible for mentoring a team of talented engineers, driving best practices, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, scalable, and secure backend systems. The ideal candidate has a proven track record in building complex distributed systems and a passion for fostering a collaborative and high-performing engineering culture. This is a remote-first position, offering the ultimate flexibility to work from anywhere.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of backend software engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence.
• Architect, design, and implement scalable, reliable, and secure backend services and APIs.
• Drive best practices in software development, including code quality, testing, and performance optimization.
• Collaborate with product management and other engineering leads to define technical strategy and roadmap.
• Oversee the entire software development lifecycle, from conception to deployment and maintenance.
• Conduct code reviews and provide constructive feedback to team members.
• Troubleshoot complex technical issues and provide timely resolutions.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies and tools to enhance development efficiency and platform capabilities.
• Ensure adherence to security standards and compliance requirements.
• Contribute to architectural decisions and ensure technical alignment across the engineering organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in backend software development, with at least 2 years in a technical leadership role.
• Deep expertise in designing and building microservices architectures.
• Proficiency in one or more modern backend programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, Go, Node.js).
• Extensive experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
• Strong understanding of database technologies (SQL and NoSQL) and distributed systems.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor engineering teams effectively.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure as code is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound technical decisions and drive project success.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, stock options, and a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and retirement plans.
• As a fully remote role, you will enjoy unparalleled flexibility and work-life balance.
• The company provides generous opportunities for professional development, including access to online courses, conferences, and mentorship programs.
• You will be part of an exciting, fast-paced startup environment with a talented and passionate team, working on cutting-edge financial technology solutions.