Senior Backend Software Engineer, Cape Town

About the Role

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Backend (Full Stack) Software Engineer to join our Engineering (Technology & Innovation) team. This role is ideal for a strategic technical leader with strong backend engineering expertise who remains hands-on while driving scalable architecture, system reliability, and engineering best practices.

The successful candidate will play a key role in architecting, developing, and maintaining scalable backend systems using .NET technologies while contributing to full-stack alignment with Vue.js applications. You will work closely with distributed teams, mentor engineers, and influence the technical direction of enterprise-grade platforms and solutions.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to complex, high-impact systems while expanding into broader full-stack ownership and end-to-end solution design.

Key Responsibilities

1. Backend Architecture & Development

• Architect, design, and implement scalable backend services using .NET (C#)
  • Develop and maintain production-grade RESTful APIs using .NET Core and .NET Framework
  • Lead system design decisions focused on scalability, reliability, and maintainability
  • Design and maintain distributed and enterprise-grade systems
  • Guide frontend and backend integration between backend services and Vue.js applications
  • Contribute to end-to-end solution architecture and technical strategy

1. Database & Data Engineering

• Design, optimise, and maintain Microsoft SQL Server databases
  • Implement schema design, indexing strategies, performance tuning, and query optimisation
  • Develop and maintain data access layers and database structures
  • Contribute to ETL workflows and data integration processes
  • Support reporting and data processing requirements across enterprise systems

1. DevOps, Quality & Engineering Standards

• Drive improvements in code quality, testing standards, and DevOps practices
  • Implement and optimise CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps or similar platforms
  • Apply clean architecture principles, SOLID principles, and software design patterns
  • Participate in architectural discussions and technical reviews
  • Ensure high standards of system reliability, maintainability, and performance
  • Support performance profiling, monitoring, and optimisation initiatives

1. Leadership & Collaboration

• Mentor intermediate and junior engineers
  • Lead and participate in code reviews and technical discussions
  • Collaborate across distributed teams and influence technical direction
  • Proactively identify technical risks and recommend mitigation strategies
  • Communicate technical decisions, trade-offs, risks, and dependencies effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • Support long-term engineering strategy and platform evolution

Requirements & Qualifications

Must-Have Skills

• Minimum 10+ years of professional software development experience
  • Deep expertise in .NET Core / C# development
  • Strong experience building scalable, production-grade RESTful Web APIs
  • Experience designing and maintaining distributed and enterprise-grade systems
  • Advanced Microsoft SQL Server experience, including:

• Schema design
• Indexing strategies
• Performance tuning
• Query optimisation
  • Strong understanding of clean architecture, SOLID principles, and software design patterns
  • Experience implementing and optimising CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps or similar tools
  • Proven experience mentoring engineers and conducting technical reviews
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
  • Ability to articulate technical decisions and architectural trade-offs clearly
  • Experience leading backend initiatives and delivering complex systems end-to-end

Highly Desirable Skills

• Experience with Vue.js or modern frontend frameworks
  • Exposure to full-stack application development
  • Experience designing ETL workflows and data integration pipelines
  • Exposure to cloud-native architecture or application modernisation initiatives
  • Experience with application monitoring and performance profiling
  • Experience working within financial services or investment environments
  • Strong understanding of scalable architecture and enterprise solution design

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field
  OR Equivalent practical industry experience

Additional Information

• Location: Cape Town
  • Department: Engineering (Technology & Innovation)
  • Salary: Negotiable
  • Work Model: Hybrid / Office-based 
  • Must be located in South Africa or hold a valid South African work permit