Senior Backend Engineer (Python) - Fully Remote

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid and retirement provisions

Remote-first with home office setup

Learning and development opportunities

Generous project autonomy

Global team collaboration

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Backend Engineer (Python) to join a remote engineering team. You will design, develop, and deploy robust backend services powering core products, working with Django/Flask/FastAPI, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and cloud platforms.

The role requires 5+ years in backend development, strong API design (REST/GraphQL), and experience with Docker/Kubernetes, CI/CD, and distributed systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in CS/SE.
• 5+ years of backend development experience with Python.
• Proficiency with Django, Flask or FastAPI.
• Relational and NoSQL databases (PostgreSQL/MySQL, MongoDB/Redis).
• Strong API design knowledge (REST/GraphQL).
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP) and containers (Docker/Kubernetes).
• Knowledge of asynchronous programming, messaging queues (RabbitMQ/Kafka), and microservices.
• Familiarity with CI/CD and DevOps practices.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills; excellent remote communication.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain Python backend code.
• Develop scalable backend services and APIs for web and mobile apps.
• Work with large datasets and design SQL/NoSQL schemas.
• Integrate client-facing features with server-side logic.
• Implement security and data protection measures.
• Collaborate with frontend, product managers, and stakeholders to deliver features.
• Optimize applications for speed and scalability.
• Write unit, integration, and end-to-end tests; participate in code reviews.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to team best practices.

Skills

Backend development

Python

Communication

Problem solving

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Software Engineering

Tools

Django

Flask

FastAPI

PostgreSQL

MySQL

MongoDB

Redis

REST

GraphQL

AWS

Azure

GCP

Docker

Kubernetes

RabbitMQ

Kafka

CI/CD

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in data analytics solutions, is looking for a highly skilled Senior Backend Engineer specializing in Python to join their distributed engineering team. This is a fully remote position, enabling you to contribute to our innovative projects from anywhere. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and deploying robust, scalable, and high-performance backend services that power our core products. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of backend architecture, database management, API design, and cloud technologies. This role is crucial in driving technical excellence and ensuring the reliability and efficiency of our platform.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain efficient, reusable, and reliable Python code.
• Develop and implement scalable backend services and APIs for web and mobile applications.
• Work with large datasets and design database schemas (SQL and NoSQL).
• Integrate user-facing elements with server-side logic.
• Implement security and data protection measures.
• Collaborate with frontend developers, product managers, and other stakeholders to define and ship new features.
• Optimize applications for maximum speed and scalability.
• Write unit, integration, and end-to-end tests to ensure code quality and reliability.
• Participate in code reviews and mentor junior engineers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent demonstrable experience.
• 5+ years of professional experience in backend development with a strong focus on Python.
• Proficiency with Python web frameworks such as Django, Flask, or FastAPI.
• Experience with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB, Redis).
• Solid understanding of API design principles (RESTful, GraphQL).
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Knowledge of asynchronous programming, message queues (e.g., RabbitMQ, Kafka), and microservices architecture.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively in a remote team environment.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and retirement provisions.
• As a remote-first company, we provide the flexibility to work from anywhere, along with allowances for home office setup.
• Opportunities for continuous learning, attending industry conferences, and professional development are readily available.
• You'll be part of a collaborative and innovative culture, working on challenging projects with a team of talented engineers dedicated to pushing the boundaries of technology.
• This role offers significant autonomy and the chance to shape the future of our backend infrastructure.