Remote Principal Backend Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Top-tier package

Fully remote

Health insurance

Professional development

Global team

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Backend Engineer to own core backend systems in a fully remote team. You will drive technical strategy, design scalable services, and mentor engineers to raise the bar on code quality and reliability.

The role demands hands-on expertise in multiple languages and distributed systems, with a focus on delivering robust cloud-based architectures and high availability across global deployments.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science or related field.
• 8+ years of backend software development experience.
• Expertise in Java, Python, Go or C# and distributed systems.
• Experience with cloud platforms and containerization.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement scalable backend services and APIs.
• Lead technical direction for backend projects and architecture.
• Optimize performance, databases and system design for efficiency.
• Write high-quality, tested code and enforce best practices.
• Mentor junior and senior engineers, share knowledge.
• Troubleshoot production issues to ensure uptime.

Skills

Backend experience

Java

Python

Go

C#

Distributed systems

Microservices

Docker

Kubernetes

Cloud platforms

Education

Master's degree in CS

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly accomplished Principal Backend Engineer to join their fully remote engineering team. This senior position involves taking ownership of critical backend systems, driving technical strategy, and mentoring other engineers. You will be responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the scalable and reliable infrastructure that powers their core products. The ideal candidate is a hands-on expert in backend development, passionate about tackling complex technical challenges, and committed to fostering a culture of excellence in a remote-first environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement highly scalable, reliable, and efficient backend services and APIs.
• Lead the technical direction for key backend projects, making critical architectural decisions.
• Optimize application performance, database interactions, and system architecture for maximum efficiency.
• Write high-quality, well-tested, and maintainable code, and champion best practices in code reviews.
• Mentor and guide junior and senior backend engineers, fostering technical growth and knowledge sharing.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex production issues, ensuring system stability and uptime.

Requirements

• Master's degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of professional experience in backend software development, with a proven track record of designing and delivering complex systems.
• Expertise in one or more backend programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, Go, C#).
• Deep understanding of distributed systems, microservices architecture, and database technologies (SQL and NoSQL).
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills, with a strong ability to lead technical initiatives.

Benefits

• Top-tier compensation package including base salary, performance bonuses, and potential equity.
• Fully remote working arrangement with flexible hours.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance benefits.
• Generous budget for professional development, conferences, and continued learning.
• Opportunity to work on challenging problems with a talented, globally distributed team.