Lead Software Engineer

Lead Software Engineer (PHP/API) – Own the Core API Layer

We’re supporting a global privacy-first cloud platform trusted by hundreds of millions of users worldwide. Their ecosystem spans high‑performance C++ services, modern client applications, and distributed cloud infrastructure—and your work will sit at the heart of it all.

This permanent, fully remote role (€50,000) focuses on the API and integration layer, where you will:

• Lead development of secure PHP-based APIs connecting core services to web, mobile, and third-party applications.
• Build and maintain middleware and integration tools, ensuring smooth communication across distributed systems.
• Own authentication and security layers, delivering reliability in a high‑scale, privacy‑critical environment.
• Shape the platform’s future, driving technical decisions that impact hundreds of millions of users.

Impact

• High‑Impact Engineering: Own the connective tissue of the platform, linking services and clients.
• Scale & Security: Work in a performance‑critical, encrypted ecosystem with massive global reach.
• Hands‑On Leadership: Grow into broader architectural ownership while staying close to the code.
• Modern Tech Stack: PHP, microservices, Docker/K8s, multi‑language backends, API security.
• Remote & Stable: Fully remote, permanent position, €50,000 annual salary.

Must‑Have Requirements

• 5+ years in backend engineering with a focus on PHP and REST APIs.
• Experience with secure API design, authentication (OAuth/JWT/SSO), and data protection principles.
• Strong SQL/MySQL knowledge and experience in microservices or distributed systems.
• Comfortable with Docker-based environments; any Kubernetes experience is a plus.
• Proven ability to design, maintain, and scale backend services with a focus on reliability and performance.
• Fluent in English for technical discussions and documentation.