Senior Backend Developer (Python/Django)

Placements24; South Africa; Remote; ZAR 900,000 - 1,250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Professional development

Flexible working hours

Access to modern dev tools

Remote team culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Senior Backend Developer to design, build, and maintain scalable backend services using Python and Django. This remote SA role emphasizes high performance, security, and API-driven integration with frontend teams.

You will work in a distributed team, collaborating with product managers and developers to deliver robust software for our SaaS product, with a focus on reliability and scalability in a remote-first environment in South Africa.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional backend development experience.
• Proven expertise in Python and the Django framework.
• Strong understanding of RESTful API design principles and implementation.
• Experience with relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL) and ORMs.
• Familiarity with front-end technologies (JavaScript, React, Angular) is a plus.
• Experience with version control systems, particularly Git.
• Knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization (Docker) is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain scalable backend services using Python and Django.
• Write clean, efficient, well-documented, and testable code.
• Develop and manage APIs for integration with front-end applications and third-party services.
• Optimize applications for maximum speed and scalability.
• Implement security and data protection measures.
• Work with databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL) and understand database design principles.
• Collaborate with front-end developers to integrate server-side logic.
• Participate in code reviews to ensure code quality and best practices.
• Troubleshoot and debug issues, providing timely resolutions.
• Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and backend best practices.

Skills

Python

Django

RESTful API design

PostgreSQL

MySQL

Docker

AWS

Git

Cloud familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / Software Engineering or related field

Tools

PostgreSQL

MySQL

Docker

AWS

Azure / GCP

Git

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a fast-growing SaaS company revolutionizing their industry, is looking for a talented and experienced Senior Backend Developer with expertise in Python and Django . This is a fully remote position, allowing you to work from the comfort of your home office anywhere in South Africa . You will play a pivotal role in designing, developing, and maintaining the backend infrastructure of our flagship product. This remote-first role requires a self-starter with exceptional coding skills, a deep understanding of web architecture, and a passion for building scalable and robust applications. You will collaborate closely with front-end developers, product managers, and other stakeholders in a virtual team environment to deliver high-quality software solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain scalable, high-performance backend services using Python and Django.
• Write clean, efficient, well-documented, and testable code.
• Develop and manage APIs for integration with front-end applications and third-party services.
• Optimize applications for maximum speed and scalability.
• Implement security and data protection measures.
• Work with databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and understand database design principles.
• Collaborate with front-end developers to integrate user-facing elements with server-side logic.
• Participate in code reviews to ensure code quality and adherence to best practices.
• Troubleshoot and debug issues, and provide timely resolutions.
• Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and industry best practices in backend development.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in backend development.
• Proven expertise in Python and the Django framework.
• Strong understanding of RESTful API design principles and implementation.
• Experience with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and ORMs.
• Familiarity with front-end technologies (e.g., JavaScript, React, Angular) is a plus.
• Experience with version control systems, particularly Git.
• Knowledge of cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization (Docker) is desirable.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a remote, collaborative team setting.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package.
• Full remote work flexibility.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and attending tech conferences.
• Generous paid time off and flexible working hours.
• Access to modern development tools and technologies.
• A vibrant and supportive remote team culture.