Senior / Staff Backend Engineer - PHP

About the Company:
We are a leading platform that empowers PC gamers to enhance their single-player experiences by enabling the safe and reliable installation of game modifications (mods). Supporting millions of users and over 3,000 games, our platform allows gamers to apply mods, discover new games, and access interactive guides. We are seeking a Senior/Staff Backend Software Engineer to help build, expand, and scale the backend systems that power our platform.

Why This Opportunity?
This is a unique chance to make a significant impact on a rapidly growing platform used by millions of gamers worldwide. As a Senior/Staff Backend Software Engineer, you’ll play a key role in shaping the backend architecture that powers features like mod installation, game discovery, and AI-driven game guides. If you're looking for a role where you can work in a remote-first environment with talented colleagues, have the autonomy to make key technical decisions, and enjoy a great work-life balance, this is the opportunity for you. We foster a culture of growth, learning, and collaboration, giving you the chance to continuously advance your skills.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Strong experience with backend development using PHP 8.2 (preferably with Laravel or Symfony)
• Proven ability to ship products or features in a collaborative, remote-first environment
• Experience with relational databases, including MySQL (or similar)
• Familiarity with caching systems like Redis or Memcached
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A proactive, autonomous approach to problem-solving and decision-making
• Availability to work in the continental U.S. time zone
• U.S. work authorization

Desired Skills & Experience:

• Experience with NGINX and PHP-FPM
• Knowledge of cloud services like Cloudflare
• Familiarity with Docker and CI/CD pipelines
• Experience with observability tools such as Datadog
• Knowledge of cross-origin messaging protocols (e.g., postMessage, RPC, web sockets)
• Familiarity with Electron or similar frameworks for desktop/mobile app development
• Experience working with AI/ML tools like OpenAI or similar large language models
• Passion for PC gaming, particularly the modding community

What You Will Be Doing:
You will be responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the backend systems that power our consumer-facing platform. This includes everything from mod installation services to game discovery and AI-powered guides. You will also help scale infrastructure to ensure smooth operation for millions of users.

Tech Breakdown:

• 40% Backend Development
• 30% Infrastructure Scaling
• 30% Collaboration with Product, Design, and Frontend Teams

Daily Responsibilities:

• 50% Hands-On Development: Writing, testing, and maintaining backend code
• 20% Architecture & Planning: Designing scalable backend systems and infrastructure
• 30% Team Collaboration: Engaging with product managers, designers, and other engineers to align on features, requirements, and progress

The Offer:

• Bonus or Commission eligibility
• Competitive salary and equity options

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401(k) with company match
• Remote-first work environment

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis now and in the future.