Remote Lead Software Engineer - Backend

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

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work

Health coverage

Professional development budget

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Software Engineer (Backend) to guide architecture, design scalable services, and mentor a distributed team. You will shape technical strategy and drive high-performance backends across cloud platforms.

The role emphasizes leadership, collaboration with product teams, and a culture of engineering excellence in a fully remote setting.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in CS, Eng or equivalent.
• 8+ years backend development experience, with 2+ in leadership.
• Expert in backend languages and microservices architectures.
• Strong remote leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead backend architecture and API design.
• Mentor engineers and drive technical direction.
• Oversee SDLC with focus on quality and performance.
• Define technical roadmaps with cross-functional teams.
• Promote best practices: TDD, code reviews, security.
• Troubleshoot production issues to ensure stability.

Skills

Backend leadership

Team mentorship

Distributed systems

Cloud platforms

Communication

Education

Master's degree in CS/Engineering

Tools

Java

Python

Go

AWS

Azure

GCP

PostgreSQL

MongoDB

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an accomplished and visionary Lead Software Engineer specializing in backend systems to join their pioneering remote team. This leadership role is critical in guiding the design, development, and deployment of scalable, high-performance backend services that power our client's core products. You will mentor a talented team of engineers, drive technical strategy, and foster a culture of innovation and engineering excellence. This is an outstanding opportunity for a seasoned professional to make a significant impact, work with cutting-edge technologies, and lead a distributed team within a highly collaborative and results-oriented environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and architecture of robust, scalable, and maintainable backend systems and APIs.
• Mentor and guide a team of software engineers, providing technical direction and fostering professional growth.
• Oversee the entire software development lifecycle, ensuring code quality, performance, and reliability.
• Collaborate with product management and cross-functional teams to define technical roadmaps and requirements.
• Drive best practices in areas such as TDD, code reviews, performance optimization, and security.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex production issues, ensuring minimal downtime and maximum system stability.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent significant experience.
• 8+ years of experience in backend software development , with at least 2 years in a lead or senior technical role.
• Deep expertise in one or more backend programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, Go, C#) and associated frameworks.
• Strong experience with microservices architecture , distributed systems, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Proficiency with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL databases.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills for a remote team .

Benefits

• Exceptional salary and bonus potential reflecting leadership responsibilities.
• Fully remote position , offering the utmost flexibility and work-life balance.
• Premium health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Significant budget for professional development, conferences, and continuous learning.
• Opportunity to shape architectural decisions and influence technical direction.
• A culture that promotes autonomy, collaboration, and innovation among remote employees.