Senior Backend Developer (Remote)

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote position

Competitive salary

Medical benefits

Retirement benefits

Flexible working hours

Continuous learning resources

Globally distributed team

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Backend Developer to join a fully remote team operating across South Africa. You will design, develop, and maintain robust backend systems and APIs powering digital products, mentor junior developers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams in a remote-first environment.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of backend experience, strong knowledge of modern backend languages, and a solid background in databases, RESTful APIs, and microservices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of backend development experience.
• Expertise in at least one modern backend language (Python, Java, Node.js, C#, Go).
• Experience with relational (PostgreSQL, MySQL) and/or NoSQL databases.
• Proficiency in designing RESTful APIs.
• Familiarity with microservices architecture.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus.
• Knowledge of Git and CI/CD practices.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for a remote team.
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement efficient backend code.
• Build and maintain robust APIs to support frontend apps and third-party integrations.
• Manage and optimize database performance and integrity.
• Collaborate with frontend developers, product managers, and designers in an agile, remote setting.
• Write unit and integration tests to ensure code quality and application stability.
• Troubleshoot, debug, and upgrade existing systems.
• Participate in code reviews and provide constructive feedback to peers.
• Contribute to architectural discussions and technology selection.
• Mentor junior backend developers and promote best practices.
• Ensure the scalability and performance of backend services.

Skills

Backend development

RESTful APIs

Microservices

Relational & NoSQL databases

Cloud platforms

Git & CI/CD

Remote collaboration

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

About the Role

Our client is actively seeking a highly skilled Senior Backend Developer to join their fully remote team. This role offers the flexibility to work from anywhere within South Africa, though the company maintains a strong operational presence. You will be instrumental in designing, developing, and maintaining robust backend systems and APIs that power their innovative digital products. The ideal candidate has a proven track record of building scalable, high-performance applications, possesses deep expertise in server-side languages and database management, and thrives in an asynchronous, remote-first work environment. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, contribute to architectural decisions, and mentor junior developers, all while enjoying the autonomy and work-life balance that remote work provides. This is a fantastic opportunity to leverage your skills and contribute to a forward-thinking company from the comfort of your home office, regardless of your specific location, with the operational core connected to Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal .

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement efficient, reusable, and reliable backend code.
• Build and maintain robust APIs to support frontend applications and third-party integrations.
• Manage and optimize database performance and integrity.
• Collaborate with frontend developers, product managers, and designers in an agile, remote setting.
• Write unit and integration tests to ensure code quality and application stability.
• Troubleshoot, debug, and upgrade existing systems.
• Participate in code reviews, providing constructive feedback to peers.
• Contribute to architectural discussions and technology selection.
• Mentor junior backend developers and promote best practices.
• Ensure the scalability and performance of backend services.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of professional experience in backend development.
• Expertise in at least one modern backend programming language (e.g., Python, Java, Node.js, C#, Go).
• Strong experience with relational (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and/or NoSQL databases.
• Proficiency in designing and developing RESTful APIs.
• Familiarity with microservices architecture and design patterns.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus.
• Solid understanding of software development best practices, including testing, version control (Git), and CI/CD.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills for a remote team.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a remote environment.

Benefits

• This is a fully remote position offering a competitive salary, comprehensive medical and retirement benefits, and flexible working hours.
• You will have the opportunity to work on exciting projects, access continuous learning resources, and be part of a supportive, globally distributed team.
• While based operationally near Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal , your role is 100% remote.
• We foster a culture of trust and autonomy, offering significant opportunities for professional growth and advancement within the company.