Senior Backend Developer - Remote

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Professional growth

Remote in SA

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Senior Backend Developer to join a fully remote fintech team operating across South Africa. You will design, develop, and maintain robust backend services and APIs, with a focus on scalability, security, and reliability.

You'll work with Python, Java, or Go, implement RESTful APIs, manage SQL and NoSQL databases, and collaborate with frontend, product, and cloud engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in CS/Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years of backend development experience.
• Strong proficiency in at least one modern backend language (Python/Java/Go/Node.js).

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement scalable backend services and APIs.
• Write clean, maintainable code with good documentation.
• Manage and optimize databases (SQL/NoSQL) for performance.
• Integrate with third‑party services and external systems.
• Implement security and data protection measures.
• Collaborate with frontend developers to connect server-side logic with UI.
• Troubleshoot, debug, and upgrade existing systems.
• Participate in code reviews to ensure quality and knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to architectural decisions and technology choices.
• Stay up‑to‑date with backend trends and best practices.

Skills

Python/Java/Go/Node.js

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Django/Flask/Spring Boot/Express.js

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering fintech startup, is seeking an experienced Senior Backend Developer to join their fully remote team. Although the company has a physical presence in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, this role offers complete flexibility for candidates across South Africa. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining robust, scalable, and secure backend systems that power our client's innovative financial platforms. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of backend technologies, database management, API development, and cloud infrastructure. You will work closely with frontend developers, product managers, and other stakeholders to deliver high-quality software solutions. This role requires a self-motivated individual with strong problem‑solving skills and a passion for building cutting‑edge technology in a fast‑paced, collaborative remote environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement scalable and efficient backend services and APIs.
• Write clean, maintainable, and well‑documented code in languages such as Python, Java, or Go.
• Manage and optimize database systems (SQL and NoSQL) for performance and scalability.
• Integrate with third‑party services and external systems.
• Implement security and data protection measures.
• Collaborate with frontend developers to integrate user‑facing elements with server‑side logic.
• Troubleshoot, debug, and upgrade existing systems.
• Participate in code reviews to ensure code quality and share knowledge.
• Contribute to architectural decisions and technology selection.
• Stay up‑to‑date with industry trends and best practices in backend development.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in backend development.
• Strong proficiency in at least one modern backend programming language (e.g., Python, Java, Go, Node.js).
• Experience with backend frameworks (e.g., Django, Flask, Spring Boot, Express.js).
• Solid understanding of database design and management (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB).
• Experience designing and consuming RESTful APIs.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their services.
• Knowledge of containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes) is a plus.
• Understanding of software development best practices, including testing and version control (Git).
• Excellent problem‑solving and analytical skills.
• Strong communication skills and ability to thrive in a remote team environment.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance, opportunities for professional growth and skill development, and the chance to be part of an innovative fintech company shaping the future of finance.

Join our client's dynamic team and contribute from anywhere in South Africa.