Senior Backend Engineer

What we are looking for

We’re looking for a Senior Backend Engineer with strong Node.js expertise to join our dynamic team and help shape the future of our platform. As a Senior Backend Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, building, and optimizing scalable backend architectures. You will lead the development of APIs, manage database integrations, and ensure system performance and security. Additionally, you will mentor junior developers and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality solutions.

What does the job involve

• Backend Architecture & Design: Design and implement scalable, maintainable, and secure server-side architectures using NodeJS, ensuring alignment with business needs and technical goals.
• API Development: Build robust RESTful or GraphQL APIs that support efficient communication between the front-end and back-end, ensuring consistency, performance, and security.
• Database Design & Integration: Design and optimize database schemas, and integrate with databases like MongoDB, PostgreSQL, or MySQL, ensuring efficient data storage, retrieval, and management.
• Performance Optimization: Optimize Node.js applications for performance and scalability, focusing on event loops, memory leaks, query performance, and asynchronous operations.
• Security Best Practices: Implement security measures such as data encryption, authentication, authorization (e.g., OAuth, JWT), and protection against vulnerabilities (e.g., SQL injection, XSS, CSRF).
• Microservices & Distributed Systems: Architect and manage microservices-based systems, ensuring proper communication between services via message queues (e.g., RabbitMQ, Kafka) or HTTP.
• Testing & Debugging: Write unit, integration, and end-to-end tests using tools like Mocha, Jest, or Chai to ensure code quality, reliability, and prevent regressions. Debug issues and provide fixes for critical bugs.
• DevOps & CI/CD Pipelines: Set up continuous integration and deployment pipelines using tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, or CircleCI, and work with Docker and Kubernetes to deploy and scale Node.js applications.
• Mentorship & Code Reviews: Provide mentorship and guidance to junior developers, lead code reviews, and enforce coding standards, best practices, and documentation to ensure code quality and team productivity.
• Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams: Work closely with front-end developers, DevOps, and product managers to ensure smooth delivery of features and alignment across teams.

Qualifications

• BSC degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or a related field.
• 5+ years of professional experience in software engineering, with 2+ years in a senior backend engineering role.
• Proven experience designing and building scalable backend architectures, particularly for fintech products (experience with other SaaS verticals is also acceptable).
• Strong expertise in designing data models and integrating various databases (SQL & NoSQL).
• Experience with microservices and distributed systems across multiple locations or countries, especially in banks, e-commerce platforms, or similar industries.
• Deep understanding of security best practices for backend development, including encryption, authentication, and protection against vulnerabilities.
• Hands-on experience with DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, and containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes.
• Strong proficiency in Node.js and related frameworks.
• Experience with RESTful and GraphQL API development.
• Proficiency with databases like MongoDB, PostgreSQL, MySQL.
• Familiarity with message queues like RabbitMQ, Kafka.
• Testing and debugging experience using Mocha, Jest, or Chai.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively across departments.
• Proven leadership and mentorship experience, guiding junior developers and leading code reviews.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to manage escalations independently.

Benefits

• TBC

Open to candidates across Africa.