Lead Software Engineer - Backend

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

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote in SA

Health insurance

Learning opportunities and conferences

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Software Engineer focused on backend development. This fully remote role in South Africa requires guiding a team to build scalable backend systems, RESTful APIs, and microservices.

You will mentor engineers, optimize performance, and drive CI/CD and testing practices while staying ahead of new technologies. The ideal candidate has 5+ years in backend development, strong languages like Python/Java/Go, and experience with cloud platforms and containers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of backend software development experience.
• Proven technical leadership or lead engineer experience.
• Experience with RESTful APIs and microservices.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and maintenance of backend services and APIs.
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers in a remote team.
• Architect robust and maintainable solutions using best practices.
• Implement and optimize CI/CD pipelines and automated tests.
• Stay updated with emerging technologies and industry trends.

Skills

Technical leadership

Backend development

Remote collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Engineering

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge technology firm specializing in developing scalable cloud-based solutions, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Software Engineer focusing on backend development. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to contribute your expertise from anywhere in South Africa. You will be responsible for leading a team of talented engineers in designing, developing, and deploying robust and high-performance backend systems. The ideal candidate possesses a passion for clean code, architectural excellence, and tackling complex technical challenges. You will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our client's core products and driving technical innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and maintenance of scalable and efficient backend services and APIs.
• Mentor and guide junior and mid-level software engineers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
• Architect robust and maintainable solutions using best practices in software development.
• Write high-quality, testable, and efficient code in languages such as Python, Java, or Go.
• Collaborate with frontend engineers, product managers, and designers to deliver seamless user experiences.
• Optimize application performance, scalability, and reliability.
• Implement and champion CI/CD pipelines and automated testing strategies.
• Participate in code reviews, providing constructive feedback to team members.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends, advocating for their adoption where appropriate.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues in production environments.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of professional experience in backend software development.
• Proven experience in a technical leadership or lead engineer role.
• Strong proficiency in one or more backend programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, Go, Node.js).
• Experience designing and building RESTful APIs and microservices.
• Solid understanding of database technologies (SQL and NoSQL) and data modeling.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Familiarity with CI/CD tools and practices.
• Excellent problem-solving, debugging, and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, essential for a remote team.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a remote setting.

Benefits

• This role offers a highly competitive salary, reflective of your expertise and leadership potential.
• As a fully remote position, you benefit from the flexibility to work from your preferred location in South Africa.
• Our client provides excellent health insurance, opportunities for continuous learning through online courses and conferences, and a generous annual leave policy.
• You will be part of an innovative and supportive tech culture that values collaboration, growth, and work-life balance.