Principal Backend Architect & Tech Leader — Scale & Mentor

Placements24

Centurion

On-site

ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000

Full time

8 days ago

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Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a distinguished Principal Backend Software Engineer for its Centurion, Gauteng operations. The role requires designing scalable distributed backend systems, architecting core services, and mentoring a team of engineers to deliver robust microservices.

The candidate will lead technical design, drive architectural decisions, and collaborate with data scientists and product teams to translate requirements into efficient solutions, while advancing security and performance

Qualifications

Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related quantitative field.
10+ years of progressive experience in backend software development, with a focus on distributed systems.
Expertise in at least one major backend programming language (e.g., Java, Python, Go, C++).
Deep understanding of distributed systems design patterns, data structures, and algorithms.
Proven experience designing and building microservices architectures.
Extensive knowledge of database technologies (SQL and NoSQL) and their performance implications.
Familiarity with cloud-native technologies (e.g., Kubernetes, Docker) and cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP).
Strong understanding of system security, performance tuning, and scalability principles.
Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and architectural design skills.
Excellent communication and leadership capabilities.

Responsibilities

Architect, design, and implement highly scalable backend systems and microservices.
Lead the technical design and implementation of complex features and systems.
Mentor and guide other backend engineers, fostering technical excellence and best practices.
Collaborate with product management, data scientists, and front-end teams to translate requirements into robust technical solutions.
Optimize system performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement solutions for scalability and efficiency.
Define and enforce coding standards, conduct thorough code reviews, and promote a culture of quality.
Research and evaluate new technologies and frameworks to enhance backend architecture.
Contribute to the overall technical strategy and roadmap of the engineering department.
Troubleshoot and resolve critical production issues across distributed systems.