Software Engineer (Backend / System-Level — Microsoft Stack)

Executive Summary

You will design, develop, and maintain backend and system-level components aligned with approved enterprise architecture, security standards, and governance frameworks. You’ll deliver features that meet functional and non-functional requirements, follow secure coding practices, and integrate cleanly across our ecosystem: Azure, APIs, databases, and CI/CD pipelines.

You will operate within defined architectural boundaries and collaborate with Architects, Product Owners, QA, DevSecOps, and business stakeholders to ship high-quality, scalable, secure solutions.

Role Purpose

Design, build, and maintain backend/system-level components aligned with architectural standards.

About the project (stealth, but clear)

We’re taking ownership of a large, mission-critical enterprise platform currently operated by an external vendor. The system is live and security-sensitive, and we’re modernizing it over time:

• Primary backend stack: C# / .NET (6+), with most new work on .NET 8 (LTS)
• Legacy areas exist: ASP.NET Framework 4.8 and some WCF
• Cloud: Microsoft Azure
• Data: SQL Server primarily, some MySQL
• Frontend exists (React/Angular), but this role is backend/system-level

• Documentation is mixed due to the transition; part of the work is improving clarity as you go.

   

Core Responsibilities

1) Software Development & Implementation

• Develop backend services, APIs, and system components based on approved backlog items and technical designs.
• Translate user stories and functional requirements into scalable solutions.
• Implement business logic following clean architecture and principles.
• Follow coding standards, architectural guidelines, and agreed design patterns.

2) Code Quality & Maintainability

• Write clean, maintainable, testable, well-documented code.
• Perform peer reviews and address review feedback.
• Refactor legacy code where needed to improve performance and maintainability.
• Maintain strong version control discipline: branching strategy, pull requests, merges.

3) Testing & Quality Assurance

• Develop and maintain unit tests using approved frameworks (xUnit / NUnit / MSTest).
• Use mocking frameworks appropriately (e.g., Moq/NSubstitute equivalents).
• Participate in integration testing and support QA during testing cycles.
• Meet quality gates (coverage/standards) before release.
• Support debugging, root-cause analysis, and defect resolution.

4) Security & Compliance

• Apply secure coding practices aligned with OWASP Top 10.
• Identify and mitigate vulnerabilities; follow DevSecOps quality controls.
• Correctly handle authentication, authorization, encryption, and data protection.
• Implement RBAC and identity-based access patterns (JWT/OAuth2; Entra ID integration where applicable).
• Comply with mandatory SAST scanning gates prior to release.

5) Performance & Reliability

• Optimize database queries and system performance (SQL Server/MySQL).
• Build scalable, resilient services and APIs.
• Implement logging/monitoring/exception handling best practices (e.g., Application Insights, Serilog).
• Use performance profiling techniques when needed to diagnose bottlenecks.

6) DevOps & Deployment Support

• Support CI/CD pipeline integration and delivery workflows (Azure DevOps).
• Assist in staging and production deployments under governance checkpoints.
• Participate in troubleshooting production incidents when required.

7) Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Solution Architects, Product Owners, QA, DevSecOps, and UI/UX teams.
• Escalate technical risks and architectural concerns early and clearly.

Authority

• Own implementation decisions within approved architectural boundaries.
• Cannot redefine scope or bypass architecture/security standards.
• Must escalate technical risks, architectural concerns, or scope-impacting issues to the Architect and Product Owner.
• Cannot approve production deployment outside defined governance checkpoints.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science / Software Engineering / Information Systems (or similar).
• Master’s degree is a plus.

Experience

• 5+ years backend development experience.
• Proven experience delivering enterprise-grade applications.
• Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments.
• Experience with production-grade Azure-hosted applications.

Required Technical Stack

Core Technologies

• C# / .NET Core / .NET 6+ (most new work on .NET 8 LTS)
• ASP.NET Core Web API
• Entity Framework and/or other ORM tools
• SQL Server (advanced querying and performance tuning mindset)

API & Integration

• RESTful APIs
• Data exchange: JSON / XML
• API auth: JWT, OAuth2, identity integration (Entra ID)

Cloud & DevOps

• Microsoft Azure (App Services, Storage, Functions)
• Azure DevOps (CI/CD pipelines)
• Git

Security

• OWASP Top 10 awareness
• Secure coding best practices
• RBAC implementation patterns

Testing

• xUnit / NUnit / MSTest
• Mocking frameworks
• Unit + integration testing practices

Technical Awareness

• Microservices architecture basics
• Logging/monitoring tools (Application Insights, Serilog, etc.)
• Docker basics (preferred)
• CI/CD best practices
• Performance profiling techniques

Core Competencies

Technical

• Strong problem solving and analytical skills
• Code optimization and debugging expertise
• Understanding of system design principles
• Secure development mindset

Behavioral

• Accountability and ownership
• Structured thinking
• Attention to detail
• Ability to work under pressure
• Clear communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Continuous learning mindset

Maturity / Level Expectations

• Lead technical modules and drive them to completion.
• Mentor less experienced engineers when needed.
• Participate in design discussions and contribute improvements.
• Review critical code changes and uphold engineering standards.

Recommended Certifications (Nice-to-have)

• AZ-204 (Azure Developer Associate)
• AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals)
• Secure coding / OWASP training
• Microsoft security certifications (optional)

Interview Process

1. 20–30 min intro call
2. Technical interview (system design + deep .NET/API/SQL + security mindset)
3. Final discussion + offer