Francois Pienaar

Senior Backend Engineeer at Kaufland e-Commerce

Hürth, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

About

I am a highly skilled Senior Backend Engineer specializing in PHP and Symfony development, with extensive experience in building scalable, high-performance backend systems across multiple industries. Over the past decade, I have developed and optimized APIs, authentication systems, ETL processes, and third-party integrations to support business operations in e-commerce, retail, and telecommunications. Currently, I am part of Kaufland e-Commerce, where I build and maintain complex backend solutions for a leading online marketplace. My previous roles at Gap Draught and Exclusive Books allowed me to work on retail management systems, API integrations, and service-oriented architectures that enhanced operational efficiency. Earlier in my career, I also contributed to projects in telecommunications, supporting platforms for major clients like Vodacom and Hyundai. Beyond coding, I am passionate about problem-solving, system optimization, and designing efficient, maintainable software solutions. I thrive in collaborative environments and have the ability to effectively work with both technical teams and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring smooth communication between business needs and engineering execution.

Experience

  • Senior Backend Engineer at Kaufland e-commerce
    Jul 2022 - Present · 4 yrs

  • Senior Backend Software Developer at Gap Draught
    Feb 2020 - Jun 2022 · 2 yrs 5 mos

    Specialist back-end Symfony developer working on the implementation of a central API to serve all aspects of the business. I was responsible for designing and implementing API endpoints, authentication, and several services in a service layer including ETL, reporting, and 3rd-party service integration.

  • Software Developer at Exclusive Books
    Jun 2016 - Feb 2020 · 3 yrs 9 mos

    I developed in-house business and management information services, as well as integration service layers between customer, product, order and management systems.

  • Software Developer at Nirph Online (Pty) Ltd
    Dec 2015 - Jun 2016 · 7 mos

    Supporting and developing existing and new applications developed by Nirph Online for Vodacom, Bid4Cars, Hyundai and other clients, using PHP on a custom framework. The company shut down in July 2016.

  • Exclusive Books (5 yrs 1 mo)
    • DBA/Software Developer
      Apr 2013 - Nov 2015 · 2 yrs 8 mos

      Oracle and MySQL database management and development. Worked on projects in-housing CRM, Loyalty (rewards) programme and e-commerce.

    • Night Staff Manager
      Sep 2011 - Mar 2013 · 1 yr 7 mos

      Responsibilities: - Hiring and training new staff - HR - Staff work schedules - Time sheet management/tallying - Stock management (e.g. merchandising, ordering, receiving, returning) - Customer service - Sales - Cashier - Banking (daily takings)

    • Night Staff Supervisor
      Nov 2010 - Aug 2011 · 10 mos

      My responsibilities included overseeing a small team of sales staff, ensuring that customers were attended to and that the store operated normally.