Backend Engineer (DeFi / Blockchain)
Somewhere
🇿🇦 Hirezar Summary for South African Applicants
This fully remote full time position at Somewhere is open to applicants from South Africa. The estimated monthly salary is R46,250 – R83,250 ZAR. This role is suited for mid-level professionals. As a remote position, you can work from anywhere in South Africa — whether you're based in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, or a smaller town.
Job Description
Backend Engineer (DeFi / Blockchain)
Location:Remote, FlexibleCompensation:Competitive, based on experience
About the Company
We’re an early-stage startup founded by experienced professionals from the finance and technology sectors. Our mission is to leverage the power of blockchain technology to improve financial outcomes for individuals and businesses alike. We're currently building an automated digital asset bookkeeping platform and looking for a talentedBack-end Engineerto join our remote team.
What You'll Learn
* Howblockchain analyticsare powered through data and service layers
Howblockchain analyticsare powered through data and service layers
* The inner workings of complexDeFi applications
The inner workings of complexDeFi applications
* Nuances ofinternational accountingandcrypto taxconsiderations
Nuances ofinternational accountingandcrypto taxconsiderations
How You’ll Work
* 100% remote — work from anywhere
100% remote — work from anywhere
* Fully flexible schedule — we care about output, not hours
Fully flexible schedule — we care about output, not hours
Technical Requirements
Required:
* 3–5 years of Python development experience, contributing to production systems
3–5 years of Python development experience, contributing to production systems
* Familiarity with FastAPI and SQLAlchemy (preferred)
Familiarity with FastAPI and SQLAlchemy (preferred)
* Solid understanding of REST API design and development
Solid understanding of REST API design and development
* Experience building scalable, event-driven, microservices-based architectures
Experience building scalable, event-driven, microservices-based architectures
* Proficiency with relational databases (PostgreSQL preferred), schema design, and transactions
Proficiency with relational databases (PostgreSQL preferred), schema design, and transactions
* Strong coding standards and Unix-based development environment experience
Strong coding standards and Unix-based development environment experience
Nice to Have:
* Experience with Google Cloud Platform
Experience with Google Cloud Platform
* Kubernetes cluster setup and maintenance
Kubernetes cluster setup and maintenance
* DevOps tools and shell scripting (Linux)
DevOps tools and shell scripting (Linux)
* Infrastructure-as-code (e.g., Terraform, Ansible)
Infrastructure-as-code (e.g., Terraform, Ansible)
What You'll Be Doing
This is an individual contributor role with significant growth potential into leadership. You'll report directly to the CTO and help build core infrastructure that expands our coverage of blockchain networks and protocols. The foundational system is in place — now it's time to scale it. You'll also have meaningful influence on the future of the product and how it evolves.
Ideal Candidate Traits
You might be a great fit if you:
* Believe in “show, don’t tell” and improve via measurable feedback
Believe in “show, don’t tell” and improve via measurable feedback
* Say “let’s try it” more often than “that won’t work”
Say “let’s try it” more often than “that won’t work”
* Plan ahead but don’t panic when things shift
Plan ahead but don’t panic when things shift
* Love to learn and share knowledge
Love to learn and share knowledge
* Are curious about crypto (professional experience not required)
Are curious about crypto (professional experience not required)
* Enjoy fast-paced environments with shifting priorities
Enjoy fast-paced environments with shifting priorities
Our Culture & Values
We’re building more than just a product — we’re creating the kind of company we want to work for. Our core values include:
* Community– Remote, but deeply collaborative and supportive
Community– Remote, but deeply collaborative and supportive
* Balance– We value a full life and don’t glorify burnout
Balance– We value a full life and don’t glorify burnout
* Ownership– Take pride in what you build and ship
Ownership– Take pride in what you build and ship
* Fun– We’re serious about the mission, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously
Fun– We’re serious about the mission, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously
Tips for South African Applicants
Timezone Advantage
South Africa (SAST, UTC+2) overlaps well with European business hours and has a few hours of overlap with US East Coast. Mention your timezone flexibility in your application.
Salary in Context
At R46,250/month, this role is competitive with the average South African remote salary. The USD equivalent ($2,500/mo) benefits from the favourable exchange rate.
Application Tips
Tailor your CV to international standards — use a clean format, highlight remote work experience, and include your English proficiency. Many SA applicants succeed by emphasising their strong work ethic and cultural adaptability.
Load Shedding Preparedness
If you're applying for a remote role, having a backup power solution (UPS, inverter, or generator) and mobile data as a backup internet connection shows employers you're prepared for South Africa's infrastructure challenges.
About Somewhere
Somewhere is a company in the Recruitment & Staffing industry that hires remote workers from South Africa. They currently have 614 open positions on Hirezar. View all Somewhere jobs →