PRINCIPAL BACKEND DEVELOPER | SYDNEY
Our client is an Australian online women’s fashion retailer founded headquartered in Sydney. The brand focuses on trend-driven, feminine styles and is known for its fast-paced e-commerce model. They have a strong global following through social media and influencer marketing. From a small startup the brand has grown into a major online fashion business generating over $100 million in annual revenue.
The Principal Backend Developer is a senior technical leader responsible for shaping the architecture, scalability, and long-term direction of backend systems. They design secure, high-performance solutions, set engineering standards, and ensure reliability and efficiency across platforms. Working closely with cross-functional teams and business stakeholders, they translate requirements into scalable technical solutions while mentoring engineers, guiding architectural decisions, and driving automation aligned with strategic business goals.
Tech Stack: PHPStorm, GoLand, JavaScript, Shopify.
Candidates with experience in an e-commerce business or retail environment will be highly regarded.
Location: Sydney
Salary: $185k + super.
Interested? Email your CV to Maisy@whointhezoo.com.au or apply via the link for a confidential discussion in the new year.
*Only suitable candidates will be contacted in relation to their application.
Hiring Consultant: Maisy Staden
Job Code: 1485069
Please note that only those applicants who fit the brief will be contacted in relation to their application.
RESPONSIBILITIES +
- Backend Architecture & Performance: Lead the design and ongoing improvement of secure, scalable backend systems, ensuring high performance, reliability, and maintainability while aligning with long-term product and business strategy.
- Technical Quality & Problem Solving: Establish engineering standards, conduct code reviews, and oversee quality assurance to maintain strong code quality, resolve complex production issues, and implement robust security and data protection practices.
- Process Improvement & Automation: Drive continuous improvement in engineering workflows by implementing efficient development practices, identifying opportunities for automation, and reducing operational inefficiencies across the business.
- Team Mentorship & Capability Building: Provide guidance and mentorship to engineers, promoting best practices, strengthening technical capability across the team, and supporting knowledge sharing and professional growth.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration & Innovation: Partner with technical and non-technical stakeholders to translate business needs into scalable solutions, while evaluating emerging technologies and contributing to long-term technical strategy and innovation.
REQUIREMENTS +
- Extensive Backend & Leadership Experience: Over 10 years in backend development, including at least 3 years in a technical leadership role guiding teams and architectural decisions.
- Strong Technical Expertise: Advanced knowledge of backend programming languages, data structures, algorithms, design patterns, version control, web servers, and deployment processes.
- Architecture & Strategic Thinking: Proven ability to make sound technical decisions that balance scalability, security, performance, and cost while supporting long-term platform growth.
- Collaboration & Communication Skills: Ability to clearly translate complex technical concepts for both technical and non-technical stakeholders, building alignment and influencing outcomes across teams.
- High-Performance Mindset: Detail-oriented, proactive, and adaptable, with strong time management, problem-solving abilities, and the resilience to deliver results under pressure and within resource constraints.