Backend Engineer (Freelance)
Make
Hirezar Summary for South African Applicants
This fully remote contract position at Make is open worldwide, so South Africans can apply. This role is suited for senior-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
📍Location:Remote (Work from Anywhere)🗓️Date:Short-term contract🌍Time Zone:Available for meetings inCentralTime, with at least2–3 hoursof daily overlap⏰Working Hours:Full-timeavailability is required until end of contract
Are you aBackend Engineerlooking to craft large-scale software using AI-first techniques to drive growth and create experiences that end users love?
😀 AtMake, we're proud to have created award-winning software that's been used by billions of people, with 25+ featured placements in the App Store and Google Play. Our clients have real end users and real challenges, and they view us as trusted advisors and thought leaders.
If you have a genuine enthusiasm for AI and creating software, and thrive in environments that encourage creativity, self-management, and a strong focus on culture, we want to hear from you! 💯
Requirements
What You'll Do
* Join a team of AI-first engineers
Join a team of AI-first engineers
* Build and maintain backend services using TypeScript and .
Build and maintain backend services using TypeScript and .
* Integrate backend functionality with third-party APIs and external data services
Integrate backend functionality with third-party APIs and external data services
* Write clean, readable, and well-tested code.
Write clean, readable, and well-tested code.
* Use AI tools daily to streamline development, debugging, refactoring, and documentation workflows without compromising quality
Use AI tools daily to streamline development, debugging, refactoring, and documentation workflows without compromising quality
* Work closely with other engineers in a remote-first environment, proactively communicating progress, blockers, and risks
Work closely with other engineers in a remote-first environment, proactively communicating progress, blockers, and risks
* Identify issues proactively, spotting bugs, performance bottlenecks, or architectural risks early and taking ownership of solutions.
Identify issues proactively, spotting bugs, performance bottlenecks, or architectural risks early and taking ownership of solutions.
What You'll Bring
* An AI-first mindset
An AI-first mindset
* Hands-on experience using Cursor, Claude Code, or Codex
Hands-on experience using Cursor, Claude Code, or Codex
* Hands-on experience building at least one large-scale system from scratch
Hands-on experience building at least one large-scale system from scratch
* +7 years of backend experience
+7 years of backend experience
* +2 years of Node experience
+2 years of Node experience
* Excellent communication skills and comfort working in an asynchronous, remote environment
Excellent communication skills and comfort working in an asynchronous, remote environment
* A proactive, ownership-driven mindset: you see problems, raise them early, and help solve them
A proactive, ownership-driven mindset: you see problems, raise them early, and help solve them
* Comfort operating in a 100% operational role, managing priorities and complexity independently
Comfort operating in a 100% operational role, managing priorities and complexity independently
AboutMake(letsMake.com)
Makeis an AI-first design and engineering agency based in Texas, with team members worldwide. We’re proud to have created award-winning software that has been featured in TechCrunch, Mashable, US Weekly, CBS News, Texas Monthly, and The Today Show. A multi-disciplinary team of engineers and designers, we are passionate about creating world-class software that people enjoy using. At the end of the day, more than our work life, it’s our life’s work 💙.
We are a team of talented individuals who take ownership of the entire project beyond their own craft. We value proactive communication, autonomy, and initiative. You'll be joining a team of 'Managers of One'—people who set their own direction, identify what needs to be done, and dive in without waiting for permission 💯.
We’re not only passionate about our craft but also about our culture. We deeply believe that work is purposeful, and that culture is one of the most important parts of any team. Our culture informs our decisions, sets our standards, and guides our interactions 😀.
Originally posted onHimalayas
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
Even without a listed salary, international remote roles typically pay 2-3x more than equivalent local positions in South Africa due to the exchange rate advantage.
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.
Related remote job searches
About Make
Make is a company in the Developer industry that hires remote workers from South Africa.