Backend Systems Engineer - IOT/Smart City

About The Engagement

We are seeking a talented Backend Software Engineer to join the Software Engineering team on a Smart City initiative. You will play a hands-on role in the systems engineering of a data platform that integrates IT and OT devices — bridging field hardware with digital services in a live operational environment.

Role Overview

You will build and maintain the backend systems that connect OT field devices to the digital twin platform — handling real-time data ingestion, protocol translation, and system integration across industrial communication standards. This is a delivery-focused engineering role; you will be expected to ship production code, write tests, and actively use AI coding tools as part of your standard workflow.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and maintain backend services and middleware for OT/IoT data ingestion, with hands-on implementation across OT protocols (e.g. OPC-UA, MODBUS, and MQTT).

Build data pipeline components that normalise, process, and route telemetry from field devices to platform services and 3D visualisation layers.

Integrate AI coding tools (e.g. Claude, GitHub Copilot) into daily development workflows for code generation, unit testing, and validation — this is an expected practice, not optional.

Write and maintain automated test suites covering protocol adapters, data transformation logic, and integration endpoints.

Collaborate with frontend Unity engineers and systems architects to define and implement API contracts (REST/WebSocket).

Support deployment through CI/CD pipelines; contribute to technical documentation and code reviews.

Troubleshoot field connectivity and protocol issues; work alongside OT/hardware teams on device commissioning and debugging.

Requirements

MUST HAVE

OPC-UA, MODBUS, and MQTT — hands-on protocol implementation experience, not just conceptual familiarity.

MUST HAVE

Backend development proficiency in at least one of: Python, Node.js, Go, or Java.

MUST HAVE

Active use of AI tools (Claude, Copilot, or similar) for coding, testing, and validation in prior roles or personal projects.

MUST HAVE

Experience writing integration and unit tests; familiarity with test automation frameworks.

MUST HAVE

Comfortable working with message brokers (MQTT brokers, Kafka, or similar) and time-series or event-driven data architectures.

GOOD TO HAVE

Exposure to digital twin platforms or industrial IoT stacks.

GOOD TO HAVE

Familiarity with OT security — network segmentation, secure protocol configuration.

GOOD TO HAVE

Experience with containerisation (Docker/Kubernetes) and CI/CD tooling.

GOOD TO HAVE

Knowledge of additional industrial protocols: SCADA, BACnet, DNP3, or similar.

Experience & Qualifications

At least 4 years in backend or systems software engineering, with exposure exposure to OT/IoT environments.

Degree in Computer Science, Software/Systems Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.