Senior Backend Engineer

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Placements24 in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, is seeking a Senior Backend Engineer to design, implement, and maintain robust backend systems powering core products. This role offers a hybrid work model with a balance of office and remote flexibility.

You will collaborate with frontend, product, and QA teams, write clean, maintainable code, and mentor junior engineers. A strong background in cloud platforms and microservices is expected for impactful delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• At least 5 years of backend software development experience.
• Proficiency in Python, Java, Go, or Node.js.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy scalable backend services and APIs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Write clean, well-documented code following best practices and coding standards.
• Optimize application performance, identify and resolve bottlenecks, and ensure system reliability.
• Contribute to architectural decisions and technical strategy for backend systems.
• Implement and maintain database schemas, ensuring data integrity and efficient querying.
• Develop and execute unit, integration, and end-to-end tests to ensure code quality.
• Mentor junior engineers and participate in code reviews to foster a culture of technical excellence.
• Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and industry trends.

Skills

Python

Java

Go

Node.js

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

PostgreSQL

MySQL

MongoDB

Redis

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in the software development space, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Backend Engineer to join their dynamic team in **Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal**. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of cutting-edge applications and drive technological advancements. You will play a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and maintaining robust backend systems that power our client's core products. We are looking for a proactive individual with a passion for clean code, scalable architecture, and problem-solving. The role offers a competitive salary and the chance to work in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment, with a hybrid work model balancing office and remote flexibility. If you are a seasoned backend developer looking to make a significant impact, we encourage you to apply for this challenging and rewarding position.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy scalable and high-performance backend services and APIs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including frontend developers, product managers, and QA engineers, to deliver integrated solutions.
• Write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code following best practices and coding standards.
• Optimize application performance, identify and resolve bottlenecks, and ensure system reliability and availability.
• Contribute to architectural decisions and technical strategy for backend systems.
• Implement and maintain database schemas, ensuring data integrity and efficient querying.
• Develop and execute unit, integration, and end-to-end tests to ensure code quality.
• Mentor junior engineers and participate in code reviews to foster a culture of technical excellence.
• Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and industry trends.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of professional experience in backend software development.
• Proficiency in one or more backend programming languages such as Python, Java, Go, or Node.js.
• Strong understanding of database systems, including relational (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB, Redis).
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Familiarity with RESTful API design principles and microservices architecture.
• Experience with Agile development methodologies.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, with the capacity to work effectively in a hybrid setting.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility.
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Exposure to challenging and innovative projects in **Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal**.