Software Engineering Team Lead (Backend, .NET, C#)

We're hiring a Software Engineering Team Lead (Backend) for one of the fastest-growing GameTech companies in Europe.

This is a permanent, fully remote or Lisbon-hybrid (1 day/week from the office) role with 4-8 direct reports. You'll own both your team and your code.

What the role actually looks like:

This is a genuine 50/50 role - half hands-on backend engineering, half people leadership. You'll be writing and reviewing code, making architecture decisions, running 1:1s, handling performance reviews, and helping your team grow, all in the same week. If you've spent the last few years exclusively in management or exclusively coding, this probably isn't the right fit.

Tech stack:

.NET Core - latest versions (6, 7, 8, 9, ideally 10)

C# - guru-level expected

Microservices - designing from scratch, not just maintaining

RabbitMQ - primary message broker (Kafka experience also accepted)

MS SQL Server - core database (MongoDB a bonus)

OpenShift Docker Kubernetes

REST API CI/CD Git Agile (Scrum/Kanban)

Design principles: SOLID, DRY, clean architecture

You'll be a strong fit if you have:

• 8+ years of backend development in .NET / C#, with strong hands-on experience in modern .NET Core (v6 and above)
• 1-2 years of formal team leadership - running 1:1s, setting objectives, conducting performance reviews, and organising a team of engineers
• End-to-end product company experience: you've owned features from discovery to production, not just delivered scoped pieces of a consultancy project
• Deep understanding of microservices architecture: ideally designing systems, not just working within existing ones
• Experience with event-driven architecture and message brokers - RabbitMQ or Kafka
• Solid grasp of software design patterns and principles (SOLID, DRY) and the ability to apply them in code reviews and architecture discussions
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies, including active participation in Scrum or Kanban ceremonies
• Fluency in English

This role is probably NOT the right for you if:

• You've spent the last 4-5 years primarily in management - active coding is non-negotiable here
• Your .NET experience is mostly on legacy versions or older frameworks - the team works on the latest .NET Core releases
• Your background is primarily mobile development - this team is backend only
• Most of your experience comes from short-term consultancy, outsourcing, or government contracts - the company specifically looks for long-term, in-house product ownership
• You don't yet have formal leadership experience (1:1s, performance reviews) - technically strong Senior profiles are great, but won't fit this specific role
• You are not yet based in Portugal with a valid NIF/NISS and residence card - these are required before any offer can be finalised

What's on offer:

Performance bonus up to 22% Monthly allowance on company card Meal Card Private healthcare Unlimited Udemy access Working equipment Permanent contract

Sound like you? Or know someone who fits? Apply directly to this job post or send it to a friend - we're happy to have a confidential conversation before you commit to anything.