[Hiring] Senior Backend Engineer @Datafin IT Recruitment

Role Description

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Senior Backend Software Engineer to independently lead and deliver customer-facing software projects from initial discovery through implementation, documentation, and handover. This is a hands-on role suited to a self-driven professional who can take ownership of project outcomes, make sound technical decisions, and maintain delivery momentum with minimal day-to-day supervision.

Based in South Africa, the successful candidate will work remotely during hours aligned with New York and engage directly with US customers. The role requires the ability to translate business requirements into clear technical specifications, manage end-to-end project delivery, and develop robust backend solutions while meeting strict deadlines.

• Manage customer projects end to end, including discovery, planning, estimation, specification, development, testing, deployment, documentation, and handover.
• Manage workload, priorities, risks, dependencies, and delivery commitments independently, with minimal supervision.
• Engage directly with customers and stakeholders to understand business requirements, clarify ambiguity, provide progress updates, and manage expectations professionally.
• Translate customer requirements into clear, practical technical specifications, acceptance criteria, and implementation plans.
• Design, develop, and maintain secure, scalable, and reliable backend services, integrations, APIs, and data-processing workflows.
• Coordinate project activities and ensure delivery remains on track against agreed milestones and strict deadlines.
• Produce clear, accurate, and up-to-date technical documentation, including solution designs, specifications, implementation notes, operational guidance, and customer handover materials.
• Test, deploy, and validate solutions, take ownership of production outcomes, and resolve issues promptly.
• Use Claude and other relevant AI tools effectively, identifying practical opportunities to incorporate AI into engineering, documentation, and delivery workflows while maintaining quality, security, and appropriate human oversight.
• Improve engineering processes, development standards, and delivery practices, and share knowledge with the wider team.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field is preferable.
• Sound knowledge of software engineering fundamentals, algorithms, testing, security, and maintainable system design.
• At least four years of professional experience working with JavaScript/TypeScript and Node.js.
• Strong senior-level software engineering experience, with substantial hands-on expertise in backend development.
• Proven experience building complex backend services, APIs, integrations, and data-processing solutions.
• Strong client-facing experience, including facilitating discovery sessions, discussing technical options, and communicating project progress and delivery risks clearly.
• Practical experience using AI tools, with a clear understanding of how to incorporate AI into workflows responsibly and effectively.
• Ability and willingness to work consistently during New York business hours while based in South Africa.

Requirements

• Senior, Backend, Engineer, Node, js, TypeScript, MongoDB, AWS, Remote, 6, month, Contract, to, go, per