Senior Back-End Engineer

Who we are:

Tushop is a dynamic organization comprising a team of highly motivated individuals driven by the desire to create substantial value for Kenyans and Africans. We are driven by the desire to lower the cost of living, together. We currently do this by leveraging our platform that builds direct relationships between consumers and suppliers, benefitting all parties.

Tushop finds itself in a pivotal stage of growth, fortified by the support of eminent investors who recognize the significance of our work. Every moment spent in our organization holds the promise of contributing to a world where access to affordable and convenient food is possible.

Tushop nurtures an environment where our employees are given the freedom to pursue personal growth and professional development. We strive to create a space where individuals can immerse themselves in their passions, acquire knowledge in their desired areas, actualize their innovative ideas, and evolve into the best versions of themselves, all while receiving competitive compensation for achieving Tushops purpose.

Your role:

Reports to: Senior Software Engineering Manager

The Senior Backend Engineer builds and extends Tushop's backend architecture to support new launches, new features, and a fast-growing user base. As a technologist and a leader, the Senior Backend Engineer pushes the team toward building a highly available, scalable, reliable, fault-tolerant e-commerce platform. The Senior Backend Engineer follows and improves upon Tushop's engineering processes and standards while advancing Tushop's mission and business objectives. This is a technical leadership role within Tushops technical track. You will report to the Engineering Lead and collaborate cross-functionally with all Tushop teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Continuously enhance our codebase with clean and efficient code while applying the most suitable technologies to solve challenges.
• Strengthen the testing infrastructure to increase code coverage for backend modules.
• Elevate monitoring and alerting capabilities of backend modules to enable proactive improvements in availability and response times.
• Design and implement features aligned with the Product roadmap.
• Conduct thorough design document reviews, perform code reviews, and provide input on implementation decisions made by other technical teams.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to a team of Backend and Frontend Engineers to build/extend complex modules, including remote team members.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Product, Data, Procurement, and Finance) to deliver highly available, scalable, reliable, fault-tolerant e-commerce platforms and software solutions.
• Preparing reports on backend software development initiatives for management decision making purposes.

The profile we're likely to hire:

• At least 5 years of progressive work experience as a backend software engineer/developer; experience in the e-commerce, retail, FMCG sectors is an added advantage.
• Ideally 4+ years of coding experience in NodeJS
• Demonstrates a track record of developing and launching large-scale consumer applications on Cloud infrastructure (AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure)
• Holds expert knowledge in REST API design and development for mobile/web applications
• Brings strong expertise in both relational databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, or MS SQL) and non-relational databases (Firebase, MongoDB)
• Exhibits mastery in Agile development processes
• Ability to analyze data and generate meaningful insights to drive continuous improvement.
• Product minded - always builds with the user or customer in mind
• Strong analytical skills and ability to identify and prioritize key initiatives and opportunities; exemplary ability to prioritize for efficiencies and impact
• Able to take ownership and be relied upon to lead: always over delivers
• Growth mindset that challenges the status quo and focus on outside-the-box ideas and solutions; proven ability to manage new ideas, creative solutions, and change in priorities
• Excels in prioritization and communication within a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work with stakeholders to assess potential risks
• High-level written and verbal communication skills
• Active listening, and presentation skills
• High level of organization and attention to detail
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence others, and to be a joy to work with.
• An individual who exemplifies integrity and honesty
• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and business needs.
• Previous experience at a tech startup is a plus

Why Tushop?

If you've ever been curious to see the initial days of a company and be part of that story, then this is your chance. Since we are at an early stage, you will be able to see and feel the direct impact of your work. You will have ownership of your tasks and you will not be micromanaged. You will make things happen. Lastly, you will work with a fun, fast-moving, customer-centric, reliable, and supportive team.

Why not Tushop?

• We experiment a lot. If you like dotting all your is and crossing all your ts before making a move, then you might not enjoy working with us.
• We are low-ego individuals. If you need praise, need to always be right, or need someone else to fail to feel self-worth, this role is not for you.
• We believe that fieldwork makes the dreamwork. We dont hide behind laptops every day; we instead thrive by engaging with customers, suppliers, partners, and teammates on the phone and in the streets. (We find it invigorating - and hope you'd find it that way too!)

If this sounds like a place where you are looking to work, then come join us. If not, then please share this JD with someone who might be a great fit (and become our customer!)