Senior Backend Engineer

Placements24; KwaZulu-Natal; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental & vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, seeks a Senior Backend Engineer to design, build, and maintain scalable backend services and APIs. You will collaborate with product and frontend teams to transform requirements into robust technical solutions.

The role emphasizes architecture, database management, and API development with a strong focus on performance and reliability. Prior leadership and mentoring of junior engineers are valued as part of a collaborative, innovative environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• Minimum 5 years of professional backend software development experience.
• Proficiency in Python, Java, Go, or Node.js.
• Strong experience with relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL databases (MongoDB, Redis).
• Solid understanding of RESTful API design and microservices architecture.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and containers (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Familiarity with Agile and CI/CD pipelines.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy robust backend services and APIs using modern languages and frameworks.
• Collaborate with frontend teams to define requirements and translate them into specs.
• Optimize performance, scalability, and reliability of backend systems.
• Develop and maintain unit and integration tests to ensure code quality.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues in prod and dev environments.
• Contribute to code reviews and architectural discussions to improve processes.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote technical excellence within the team.
• Ensure data security and integrity across backend systems.
• Stay updated with emerging technologies and best practices.

Skills

RESTful APIs

Microservices

CI/CD

Software architecture

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

Tools

Python

Java

Go

Node.js

PostgreSQL

MySQL

MongoDB

Redis

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading technology solutions provider, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Backend Engineer to join their dynamic team in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the development of cutting-edge software applications that drive innovation across various industries. You will be instrumental in designing, building, and maintaining robust, scalable, and high-performance backend systems. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of software architecture, database management, and API development. This position is crucial to our client's mission of delivering exceptional digital experiences and maintaining their competitive edge in the market. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment where talent is nurtured and rewarded. If you are passionate about creating impactful technology solutions and thrive in a challenging yet rewarding setting, this is the perfect opportunity for you to advance your career.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy robust backend services and APIs using modern programming languages and frameworks.
• Collaborate with frontend developers, product managers, and other stakeholders to define software requirements and translate them into technical specifications.
• Optimize application performance, scalability, and reliability through efficient coding practices and architectural improvements.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive unit and integration tests to ensure code quality and stability.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues in production and development environments.
• Contribute to code reviews, architectural discussions, and the overall improvement of development processes.
• Mentor junior engineers and share knowledge to foster a culture of continuous learning and technical excellence within the team.
• Ensure the security and integrity of data handled by backend systems.
• Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and industry best practices to recommend and implement improvements.

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 software development.
• Proficiency in at least one major programming language such as Python, Java, Go, or Node.js.
• Strong experience with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB, Redis).
• Solid understanding of RESTful API design principles and microservices architecture.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and CI/CD pipelines.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and debugging skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Demonstrated experience in developing scalable and performant applications.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary of R .
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and conference attendance.
• Retirement savings plan with employer matching.
• A stimulating and collaborative work environment that encourages innovation.
• Access to the latest technologies and development tools.
• Potential for career advancement within a growing organization.
• Flexible working arrangements to promote work-life balance.