Senior Backend Developer - Node.js & Microservices

Placements24; East London; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Remote work stipend

Flexible schedule

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Backend Developer to join a fully remote engineering team. You will design, build, and deploy scalable backend services using Node.js and microservices architecture.

The role emphasizes robust APIs, cloud-based infrastructure, and high-performance systems. Ideal candidates have 6+ years of backend experience, strong JS/Express.js skills, and experience with SQL/NoSQL databases.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional backend development experience with a strong focus on Node.js.
• Extensive experience designing and implementing microservices architectures.
• Proficiency in JavaScript (ES6+) and Node.js runtime.
• Strong experience with backend frameworks such as Express.js.
• Experience with database technologies (SQL and/or NoSQL).
• Solid understanding of RESTful API design principles and best practices.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization (Docker).
• Experience with testing frameworks (Mocha, Jest) and CI/CD pipelines.
• Excellent problem-solving, debugging, and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain high-performance, scalable backend services using Node.js.
• Architect and implement robust microservices with loose coupling and independent deployability.
• Develop and integrate RESTful APIs for internal and external consumption.
• Collaborate with frontend developers, product managers, and other stakeholders to define features.
• Write clean, efficient, well-documented, and testable code.
• Implement and maintain databases (PostgreSQL, MongoDB) including design and query optimization.
• Ensure security, performance, and scalability of backend systems.
• Participate in code reviews and contribute to best practices.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex backend issues.
• Contribute to architectural discussions and roadmaps.

Skills

Node.js

Microservices

JavaScript

Express.js

RESTful APIs

CI/CD

Mocha/Jest

Cloud platforms

Problem solving

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Docker

PostgreSQL

MongoDB

MySQL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly scaling SaaS provider, is looking for a Senior Backend Developer with expertise in Node.js and microservices architecture to join their fully remote engineering team. This role is essential for designing, developing, and deploying robust, scalable backend services that form the core of their innovative platform. You will play a key part in architecting microservices, implementing efficient APIs, and ensuring the high performance and reliability of their systems. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned backend developer to work remotely, contribute to a mission-critical product, and drive technical excellence within a fast-paced, collaborative environment. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of backend development principles, a passion for building distributed systems, and experience with modern cloud infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain high-performance, scalable backend services using Node.js.
• Architect and implement robust microservices, ensuring loose coupling and independent deployability.
• Develop and integrate RESTful APIs for internal and external consumption.
• Collaborate with frontend developers, product managers, and other stakeholders to define and implement new features.
• Write clean, efficient, well-documented, and testable code.
• Implement and maintain database solutions (e.g., PostgreSQL, MongoDB), including schema design and query optimization.
• Ensure the security, performance, and scalability of backend systems.
• Participate in code reviews, provide constructive feedback, and contribute to team best practices.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex backend issues.
• Contribute to architectural discussions and technology roadmap planning.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional backend development experience, with a strong focus on Node.js.
• Extensive experience designing and implementing microservices architectures.
• Proficiency in JavaScript (ES6+) and Node.js runtime.
• Strong experience with backend frameworks such as Express.js.
• Experience with database technologies (SQL and/or NoSQL), such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, or MongoDB.
• Solid understanding of RESTful API design principles and best practices.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization technologies (Docker).
• Experience with testing frameworks (e.g., Mocha, Jest) and CI/CD pipelines.
• Excellent problem-solving, debugging, and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, essential for a remote team.
• Experience with message queues (e.g., RabbitMQ, Kafka) is a plus.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and a flexible remote work schedule.
• Home office setup stipend and ongoing remote work allowances.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and attending virtual conferences.
• Work on challenging, high-impact projects with a rapidly growing SaaS company.
• A collaborative and innovative remote work culture.
• Clear career progression paths.