Senior Software Engineer - Backend
A Senior Software Backend Engineer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the server-side logic and infrastructure of web applications or software systems. They typically work closely with frontend engineers, DevOps teams, and other stakeholders to ensure that the back-end services perform optimally and meet business requirements. Below is an outline of a typical Senior Backend Developer job profile :
Key Responsibilities :
1. System Architecture & Design :
- Design scalable, high-performance backend services and APIs.
- Participate in the planning, design, and development of new features.
- Ensure that systems are designed with fault tolerance, security, and scalability in mind.
2. Development & Implementation :
Write clean, maintainable, and efficient code.Implement server-side logic, databases, and data storage solutions.Work with technologies like REST, GraphQL, and other backend communication methods.Design and optimize database schemas, queries, and indexes.3. Performance Optimization :
Diagnose and fix performance bottlenecks.Optimize backend processes and database queries for speed and efficiency.Implement caching strategies and load balancing.4. Security :
Ensure the security of the backend systems by implementing secure coding practices.Protect against common security threats such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and others.5. Collaboration & Leadership :
Collaborate with frontend teams, product managers, and DevOps engineers.Mentor junior developers and guide them in best practices.Participate in code reviews and ensure that the development team follows consistent coding standards.6. Testing & Debugging :
Develop and run unit, integration, and performance tests to ensure code quality.Troubleshoot, debug, and upgrade existing systems.7. Monitoring & Maintenance :
Monitor system performance and take preventive measures to ensure uptime and reliability.Maintain technical documentation for reference and reporting.Stay updated on emerging technologies and incorporate them into the backend tech stack.Required Skills :
1. Programming Languages :
Expertise in one or more backend programming languages in the list Python, Java, Go, Rust.2. Database Management :
Strong understanding of both relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB, Redis).Knowledge of data modeling, query optimization, and database scaling strategies.3. API Design & Development :
Proficiency in designing and implementing gPRC, RESTful and GraphQL APIs.Experience with microservices architecture.Good understanding of containers4. Cloud & DevOps :
Familiarity with cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.Understanding of DevOps principles, CI / CD pipelines, containerization (Docker), and orchestration (Kubernetes).5. Version Control :
Proficiency with Git and branching strategies.6. Testing & Debugging Tools :
Familiarity with testing frameworks, debugging tools, and performance profiling.7. Soft Skills :
Strong problem-solving skills.Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.Leadership and mentorship qualities.Qualifications :
Bachelors or Masters degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.3-5 years of experience in backend development or software engineering.Proven experience with system design, architecture, and high-scale application development.Preferred Qualifications :
Experience with distributed systems, event-driven architectures, and asynchronous processing.Familiarity with message queues (e.g., RabbitMQ, Kafka) and caching layers (e.g., Redis, Memcached).Knowledge of infrastructure as code (IaC) tools like Terraform or Ansible.Tools & Technologies :
Languages : Python, Java, Golang, Rust.Databases : PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Redis, Cassandra.Frameworks : Django, Flask, Spring Boot, Go Micro.Cloud Providers : AWS, Azure, Google Cloud.Containerization : Docker, Kubernetes.CI / CD : Jenkins, GitLab CI, CircleCI.(ref : hirist.tech)