Senior Backend Software Engineer (Remote)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Annual performance bonuses

Remote work within SA

Training & certificates

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Backend Software Engineer to design, develop, and maintain scalable server-side logic and APIs from a fully remote SA setup. You will collaborate with an international team on high-performance backend systems, focusing on security and robust architecture.

Requirements include a CS/related degree and 5+ years of backend experience with Python/Java/Go, REST APIs, and experience with SQL/NoSQL databases.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in computing
• 5+ years of professional backend development
• Strong proficiency in one or more backend languages (Python, Java, Node.js, Go, C#)
• Experience designing RESTful APIs
• Relational (PostgreSQL/MySQL) and/or NoSQL (MongoDB/Cassandra) databases
• Understanding of microservices and distributed systems
• Familiar with cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP) and containerization (Docker)
• Experience with version control (Git)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; excellent communication for remote work
• Ability to work independently in a remote setting

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain robust backend services and APIs
• Write efficient, well-tested code in Python, Java, or Go
• Optimize for speed, scalability, and security
• Manage relational and NoSQL databases
• Collaborate with frontend and other stakeholders to integrate server-side logic
• Troubleshoot, debug, and upgrade existing systems
• Participate in code reviews to ensure quality and standards
• Contribute to architectural discussions and decisions
• Ensure security best practices throughout development lifecycle
• Document technical designs and system architecture

Skills

Python

Java

Go

C#

REST APIs

Distributed systems

SQL

NoSQL

Docker

Git

Cloud

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / related field

Tools

PostgreSQL

MongoDB

Docker

Git

AWS

Kubernetes

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a globally recognized software development house seeking a talented Senior Backend Software Engineer to join their distributed engineering team. This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere within South Africa. You will be instrumental in designing, developing, and maintaining the server-side logic and APIs for our client's flagship products. This role demands a strong understanding of scalable architectures, database management, and secure coding practices. If you are passionate about building high-performance backend systems and thrive in a remote-first environment, this is the perfect opportunity for you. You will collaborate with a talented international team, contributing to projects that impact millions of users worldwide, all from the comfort of your home office. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and supportive remote work culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement robust and scalable backend services and APIs.
• Write efficient, maintainable, and well-tested code in languages such as Python, Java, or Go.
• Optimize applications for maximum speed, scalability, and security.
• Manage and interact with various database systems (SQL and NoSQL).
• Collaborate with front-end developers and other stakeholders to integrate user-facing elements with server-side logic.
• Troubleshoot, debug, and upgrade existing systems.
• Participate in code reviews to ensure code quality and adherence to standards.
• Contribute to architectural discussions and decisions.
• Ensure adherence to security best practices throughout the development lifecycle.
• Document technical designs and system architecture.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of professional experience in backend software development.
• Strong proficiency in one or more backend programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, Node.js, Go, C#).
• Experience designing and implementing RESTful APIs.
• Proficiency with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and/or NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra).
• Understanding of microservices architecture and distributed systems.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization (Docker).
• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, essential for a remote role.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a remote setting.

Benefits

This fully remote role offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical aid, a retirement fund, and annual performance bonuses. Our client is committed to employee well-being and professional growth, offering opportunities for training, certificates, and remote team-building activities. You will have the flexibility to work from your chosen location within South Africa, eliminating the need for relocation or daily commutes. This role is perfect for experienced engineers seeking challenging projects and a flexible work-life balance. We foster a supportive and collaborative remote culture where your contributions are recognized and valued.