Senior Software Engineer (Backend)

Placements24; Paarl; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Software Engineer (Backend) to join a fully remote, high-performing engineering team. You will design, develop, and deploy scalable backend systems powering core products and services, driving architectural decisions in a collaborative, remote-first environment.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of backend experience, strong knowledge of Python/Java/Go/Node.js, and hands-on experience with databases and cloud platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5+ years of backend software development experience.
• Proficiency in one or more backend languages (Python, Java, Go, Node.js).
• Experience with relational and/or NoSQL databases (PostgreSQL, MongoDB).

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain backend services and APIs.
• Develop and optimize database schemas and queries for performance and scalability.
• Collaborate with product managers and frontend engineers to define and implement new features.
• Implement robust security and data protection measures.
• Write comprehensive unit and integration tests; participate in code reviews and mentoring.

Skills

Backend development

5+ years experience

Remote collaboration

Mentoring

Problem solving

Education

CS degree

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

PostgreSQL

MongoDB

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Software Engineer (Backend) to join their fully remote, high-performing engineering team, supporting operations related to Paarl . You will play a key role in designing, developing, and deploying scalable, robust backend systems that power our client's core products and services. This position offers the opportunity to work on challenging technical problems, mentor junior engineers, and contribute significantly to architectural decisions. The ideal candidate thrives in a collaborative, remote-first environment, possesses deep technical expertise, and is passionate about building high-quality, resilient software solutions that drive business value.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain efficient, reusable, and reliable code for backend services and APIs.
• Develop and optimize database schemas and queries for performance and scalability.
• Collaborate with product managers and frontend engineers to define and implement new features.
• Implement robust security and data protection measures.
• Write comprehensive unit and integration tests to ensure code quality and reliability.
• Participate in code reviews, providing constructive feedback to team members and mentoring junior engineers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5+ years of professional experience in backend software development.
• Strong proficiency in one or more backend programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, Go, Node.js).
• Extensive experience with relational and/or NoSQL databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MongoDB).
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes) is highly desirable.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills for effective remote collaboration.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Fully remote work opportunity, offering ultimate flexibility.
• Opportunity to work on innovative projects with a talented global team.
• Continuous learning and professional development support.
• A culture that values autonomy, collaboration, and technical excellence.