Lead Backend (PHP, Node.js) Engineer

Project Overview:

We are seeking a Lead Backend Engineer with deep expertise in PHP and strong proficiency in Node.js to help modernize and scale our backend systems. This role is central to evolving a large PHP monolith into modular, service-oriented components while maintaining high standards for code quality, testing, and reliability.

You’ll work in a remote-first, globally distributed environment, collaborating closely with product, platform, and engineering teams. Strong technical ownership, communication, and architectural thinking are essential.

Customer Overview:

USA influencer marketing platform for organizations looking to advance their creator marketing. Its enterprise-grade technology and industry-leading intelligence facilitate scaled creator discovery, streamlined workflows, and robust reporting, while ensuring compliance and brand safety.

Responsibilities:

Develop a deep understanding of an existing PHP monolithic codebase and progressively extract modular services
Design and implement scalable, testable, and reusable backend services
Write clean, maintainable PHP and Node.js server-side code
Design and maintain robust RESTful and GraphQL APIs
Lead refactoring efforts to improve performance, readability, and long-term maintainability
Build, deploy, and operate services on AWS (Lambda, API Gateway, and related services)
Write and maintain unit and integration tests
Review, validate, and improve code generated with AI tools—never blindly accept AI output
Identify technical risks, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement
Clearly communicate technical decisions, trade-offs, and solutions in written and spoken English
Create short video walkthroughs or demos explaining architecture changes or completed work
Collaborate effectively in a remote, async-first cross-timezone team with flexible working hours

Skills/Requirements:

Expert-level PHP (Laravel) experience (non-negotiable)
Strong backend experience with Node.js
Proven experience working on enterprise-grade, production systems
Hands-on experience refactoring or decomposing monolithic architectures
Strong background in API design and backend architecture
Experience with AWS, especially Lambda and serverless patterns
Solid understanding of software design principles, patterns, and clean code practices
Experience writing testable code and maintaining automated test suites
Fluency in English (written and spoken)
Excellent problem-solving, debugging, and communication skills
Highly proactive and self-directed; able to unblock yourself without waiting for instructions
AI & Developer Tooling Expectations
You are expected to use AI as a productivity multiplier, not a replacement for engineering judgment.
This includes:
Experience with AI coding tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude Code, Cursor)
Using AI within IDEs such as VS Code or PhpStorm
Critically reviewing, testing, and refining AI-generated code
Understanding risks, edge cases, and limitations of AI-assisted development

We offer:

Flexible working hours
Remote work/office work
Paid vacation
Paid sick leave
Corporate doctor services
Free English classes
Life event support
Payment for educational courses, certificates (50%)
Different sports activities in the office (badminton, tennis, darts, gym)
Fully equipped office with car and bicycle parking

Apply Now

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