We are Hiring a Lead Backend Engineer — Closed

Lemonade Payments revolutionizes digital transactions with secure, privacy-centric services. We ensure safe payments, curbing harassment risks while offering diverse options for seamless transactions.

Products

• Our platform ensures seamless Peer-to-Peer payments, providing users with convenient mobile wallet transactions and facilitating smooth bank transactions.
• For merchants, Lemonade Payments simplifies wallet & bank transactions, streamlining financial interactions.
• For our users, the platform excels in Airtime purchases across all mobile networks. With a commitment to user-centric design, cutting-edge technology, and a robust security infrastructure

Purpose of the position

The Lead Backend Engineer builds and extends Lemonade’s backend architecture to support new country launches, new features, and a fast-growing user base. As a technologist and a leader, the Lead Backend Engineer pushes the team toward building a highly available, scalable, reliable, fault-tolerant, and performant microservices platform.

The Lead Backend Engineer allows and improves upon Lemonade’s engineering processes and standards while advancing Lemonade’s mission and business objectives This is a technical leadership role within Lemonade’s technical track. You will report to the Chief Technology Officer and collaborate cross-functionally with all Lemonade teams across the globe.

Responsibilities & duties

• Backend Development: Design, develop, and maintain server-side applications using Node.js, ensuring high performance, scalability, and reliability.
• Expertise in Git for efficient source code management and collaboration.
• Hands-on experience with Jenkins, GitLab CI, Travis CI, and CircleCI for automating building, testing, and deployment processes.
• Proficiency in automation tools such as Ansible, Puppet, and Chef for streamlined provisioning and configuration of infrastructure and software.
• Strong knowledge of Docker for effective containerization.
• Architecture and Design: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to architect scalable and maintainable backend systems. Provide technical leadership in designing solutions that align with business objectives.
• API Development: Create and maintain RESTful APIs for seamless integration with front-end applications and external services.
• Database Management: Design and optimize database schemas, write efficient queries, and work with various database technologies to ensure data integrity and performance.
• Code Quality: Enforce coding standards and best practices. Conduct code reviews to ensure high-quality, maintainable code.
• Performance Optimization: Identify and address performance bottlenecks in the backend systems. Implement optimizations to enhance overall system efficiency.
• Collaboration: Work closely with front-end (mobile & web) developers, product managers, and other stakeholders to understand requirements and deliver solutions that meet business needs.
• Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): Implement and maintain CI/CD pipelines to automate the testing and deployment processes.
• Troubleshooting and Debugging: Diagnose and resolve technical issues, bugs, and system errors. Provide support in troubleshooting production incidents.

Work experience & skills

• 5+ years of backend software engineering experience
• 5+ years coding in one or more of the following languages: Nodejs, Java, Scala, Kotlin
• Developed and launched large-scale consumer applications with the backend on Cloud infrastructure (Digital Ocean, AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure) using the microservices architecture paradigm
• Expert knowledge in REST API design and development for mobile/web use
• Experience with implementing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines.
• Expert knowledge in architecture & system design
• Expert proficiency in Agile development process
• Excellent ability to prioritize and communicate in a fast-paced environment
• Strong relational database experience (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, or MS SQL)
• Strong non-relational database experience (Cassandra, Redshift, DynamoDB, HDFS)
• BSc degree in Computer Science or related fields is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to interview candidates and evaluate technical skills
• Ability to provide technical leadership & mentorship
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proactive in addressing challenges and finding innovative solutions.

Personal qualities & behavioral traits

• Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, employing effective time management and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and as a team to meet deadlines, goals, and objectives
• Passion for learning new data analysis methods and tools
• Excellent critical thinking skills

Our vision is to build a new financial ecosystem where everyone can participate on equal footing and access the tools they need to be financially healthy. We strongly believe that inclusion fosters innovation and we’re proud to have a diverse global team that represents a multitude of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. We hire talented people regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

To apply, send your resume and motivation letter to people@lemonade.co.ke