Senior Backend Architect & Tech Lead

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary package up to ZAR per annum

Comprehensive health insurance

Generous retirement fund contribution

Stock options

Career development opportunities

Stellenbosch location

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, seeks an experienced Lead Software Developer for Backend systems. You will lead a team of developers, mentor engineers, and drive architectural decisions for robust, scalable backend solutions.

Responsibilities include designing APIs, maintaining code quality, collaborating with product teams, and guiding technology adoption. Strong cloud, database, and REST expertise are essential for this senior role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree is a plus.
• 7+ years of professional software development experience, with at least 3 years in a lead or senior capacity.
• Proven backend development experience with proficiency in multiple languages (Python, Java, C#, Go, Node.js) and related frameworks (Django, Spring, .NET Core, Express).
• Strong database knowledge (SQL and NoSQL: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB).
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and microservices architecture.
• Proficiency in RESTful API design and implementation.
• Solid understanding of software development principles, data structures, and algorithms.
• Experience with version control (Git) and agile methodologies.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Must be located in or willing to relocate to Stellenbosch, Western Cape.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of complex backend systems and APIs.
• Mentor and guide a team of software developers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and collaboration.
• Architect scalable, reliable, and maintainable backend solutions.
• Write clean, efficient, and well-documented code in relevant programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, Node.js).
• Collaborate with frontend developers, product managers, and other stakeholders to define requirements and deliver features.
• Conduct code reviews, provide constructive feedback, and ensure adherence to coding standards.
• Optimize application performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement solutions.
• Manage and oversee database design and performance tuning.
• Implement and maintain CI/CD pipelines and automated testing strategies.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and industry best practices, advocating for their adoption where appropriate.

Skills

Backend development

Leadership

Mentoring

RESTful APIs

Cloud platforms

CI/CD pipelines

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Master's degree is a plus

Tools

Django

Spring

.NET Core

Express

Job description

Placements24 in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, seeks an experienced Lead Software Developer for Backend systems. You will lead a team of developers, mentor engineers, and drive architectural decisions for robust, scalable backend solutions.

Responsibilities include designing APIs, maintaining code quality, collaborating with product teams, and guiding technology adoption. Strong cloud, database, and REST expertise are essential for this senior role.