Lead Software Engineer - Backend Systems - Remote

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive compensation package

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Career growth and advancement

Fully remote work environment

Home office equipment allowance

Challenging problems with a skilled,/m

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Software Engineer to guide backend development in a fully remote capacity. You will architect scalable systems, lead a team of engineers, and drive best practices in software development.

The role requires a Master’s degree in CS or related field (or equivalent), 7+ years of backend experience, and strong expertise in distributed microservices using Go, Python, Java, or Node.js. You will work with SQL/NoSQL databases, caching, and messaging systems.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science or a related field or equivalent extensive experience.
• 7+ years of backend software development experience.
• Experience leading engineering teams and mentoring other developers.
• Deep expertise in scalable distributed systems and microservices.
• Proficiency in Go, Python, Java, or Node.js.
• Strong understanding of SQL/NoSQL, caching and message queues.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of high-availability backend services and APIs.
• Architect scalable microservices architectures and distributed systems.
• Mentor and guide junior and senior engineers, fostering technical excellence.
• Oversee code quality, performance, and security standards and participate in code reviews.
• Drive technical roadmap planning and architectural decisions for new features.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality software solutions.

Skills

Backend leadership

Distributed systems

Go

Python

Java

Node.js

Microservices

Mentoring

SQL/NoSQL

Education

Master's degree in CS or related field

Tools

PostgreSQL

Redis

Kafka

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced and motivated Lead Software Engineer to guide their backend development efforts, working in a fully remote capacity. This leadership role involves architecting, designing, and implementing scalable, reliable, and efficient backend systems that power their core products and services. You will mentor a team of talented engineers, drive technical decisions, and ensure the adoption of best practices in software development. The ideal candidate is a seasoned backend developer with a passion for building robust systems, a strong understanding of distributed architectures, and proven leadership capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of high-availability backend services and APIs using languages like Go, Python, or Java.
• Architect scalable and resilient microservices architectures and distributed systems.
• Mentor and guide junior and senior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and collaboration.
• Oversee code quality, performance, and security standards, and participate actively in code reviews.
• Drive technical roadmap planning and contribute to architectural decisions for new features and systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand requirements and deliver high-quality software solutions.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent extensive experience.
• 7+ years of professional experience in backend software development.
• Proven experience leading engineering teams and mentoring other developers.
• Deep expertise in designing and building scalable distributed systems and microservices.
• Proficiency in one or more modern backend programming languages (e.g., Go, Python, Java, Node.js).
• Strong understanding of database technologies (SQL/NoSQL), caching mechanisms, and message queues.

Benefits

• Executive-level compensation package including base salary and performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance benefits.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and career advancement.
• Fully remote work environment, offering maximum flexibility.
• Generous allocation for home office equipment and professional development.
• Chance to work on challenging problems with a highly skilled and motivated team.