Senior Backend Engineer (Microservices/API Design) - WhatJobs Direct

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Retirement savings

Professional development

Remote-friendly environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Senior Backend Engineer for a fully remote role supporting teams based in Soweto, Gauteng. You will design and implement scalable backend services and APIs, with emphasis on microservices, API design, and performance optimization.

The ideal candidate has 6+ years in backend development, strong experience with Java/Python/Go/Node.js, and hands-on knowledge of databases, messaging systems, and cloud/container tech.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field.
• Minimum 6 years of backend development experience.
• Experience designing and building microservices architectures.
• RESTful APIs development with solid API design skills.
• Experience with databases and messaging systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement robust backend services and APIs.
• Architect and build microservices-based systems with loose coupling.
• Define and enforce API design best practices (REST, schemas).
• Optimize backend performance for low latency and high throughput.
• Collaborate with frontend developers for seamless integration.
• Write comprehensive unit, integration, and end-to-end tests.
• Participate in code reviews and contribute to code quality.
• Contribute to architectural discussions and technology choices.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex production issues.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote backend best practices.

Skills

Backend development

Microservices architecture

REST API design

Java

Python

Go

Node.js

SQL/NoSQL databases

Testing (unit/integration)

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

Azure

GCP

Kafka

RabbitMQ

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a trailblazer in providing innovative software solutions, is actively seeking a highly experienced Senior Backend Engineer to join their fully remote team. This role is pivotal in designing, developing, and maintaining scalable, high-performance backend systems and APIs that power our cutting-edge products. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of microservices architecture, robust API design principles, and a passion for building resilient and efficient backend services. You will collaborate with talented engineers, product managers, and designers to deliver exceptional user experiences. This is a unique opportunity to work on challenging projects, contribute to architectural decisions, and shape the future of our technology stack in a remote-first environment. As a fully remote position, it offers unparalleled flexibility while demanding a high level of autonomy and proactivity. While fully remote, your contribution is vital to our operations based within the **Soweto, Gauteng, ZA** region's strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement robust, scalable, and maintainable backend services and APIs using modern languages and frameworks (e.g., Java, Python, Go, Node.js).
• Architect and build microservices-based systems, ensuring loose coupling and independent deployability.
• Define and enforce API design best practices, including RESTful principles and schema design.
• Optimize backend performance, ensuring low latency and high throughput.
• Collaborate with frontend developers to ensure seamless integration between backend and frontend.
• Write comprehensive unit, integration, and end-to-end tests.
• Participate actively in code reviews, providing constructive feedback and ensuring code quality.
• Contribute to architectural discussions and technology selection.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex production issues.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote best practices in backend development.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in backend development.
• Proven experience in designing and building microservices architectures.
• Expertise in developing RESTful APIs with a strong understanding of API design principles.
• Proficiency in at least one major backend programming language (e.g., Java, Python, Go, Node.js) and associated frameworks.
• Strong experience with databases (SQL and/or NoSQL) and data modeling.
• Familiarity with message queuing systems (e.g., Kafka, RabbitMQ) is a plus.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) is desirable.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fully remote team environment.
• Experience with performance tuning and optimization of backend systems.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, retirement savings plans, and substantial opportunities for professional development, including conferences, training, and certifications.
• This fully remote role provides the ultimate flexibility.
• You will be part of a collaborative and innovative team, working on impactful projects that shape the future of our products.
• Join us to build cutting-edge backend solutions from anywhere, contributing significantly to our **Soweto, Gauteng, ZA** based initiatives.