Backend Developer
This position, like all others posted here, has been manually reviewed by a person without the aid of artificial intelligence, in order to minimize the possibility that it does not match what was advertised.
Description
We are looking for a Backend Engineer to join a product-focused team working on search, recommendations, and experimentation across web and mobile platforms.This role goes far beyond CRUD logic — you will work on high-load systems, core product functionality, and data-driven experiments that directly impact business metrics. This role requires deep product understanding, strong algorithmic thinking, and the ability to balance innovation with system stability.
Key responsibilities
- Design and build scalable, flexible backend architecture; refactor and improve existing functionality to align with modern standards
- Develop new backend features for web and mobile applications from scratch
- Improve and optimize search functionality (Sphinx, Elasticsearch)
- Enhance content catalogs, ranking systems, and recommendation logic (in collaboration with internal ML services)
- Build backend logic and infrastructure to support frontend experiments and new product initiatives
- Lead initiatives from hypothesis validation to production release, ensuring alignment with business goals
- Write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code following engineering best practices
- Optimize database queries, APIs, and caching layers to meet performance and latency targets
- Investigate and resolve production issues, implementing preventive measures to improve system stability
- Participate in idea generation and propose product or technical improvements
- Collaborate closely with Product, Data, Design, and QA teams to deliver measurable business value
- Contribute to internal platforms and engineering tools
Required experience
- 5+ years of experience with modern PHP (8.0+) and strong knowledge of its core features and best practices
- Solid experience with MySQL: database design, query optimization, performance tuning
- Strong testing culture: unit and integration testing
- Experience working with high-load production systems
- Hands-on experience with Yii2
- Experience with Git workflows, code reviews, and CI/CD processes
- Hands-on experience with Elasticsearch: writing and optimizing queries, tuning ranking formulas, and improving search relevance.
- English level B1+
Soft skills
- Ability to independently lead projects from design to release and post-release support
- Strong estimation skills and proactive risk communication
- High level of autonomy and ability to independently resolve infrastructure and stability issue
- Collaborative approach and readiness for cross-functional teamwork
Nice to have
- UI/UX awareness
- Design and implement solutions for search optimization, and related algorithms
Benefits
Creativity every day: Make inspiring products for musicians, artists and creators – no day is the same.
Impactful work Influence the future of the music industry and change the lives of millions worldwide.
Work set up: We’ll make sure you’re set up for success with the right work equipment, whether that’s company-provided hardware or an equipment allowance.
Growth and development: Receive specialized training, language lessons, conferences and learning materials.
Team well-being: Support for your mental health and wellbeing, including confidential help during life’s tougher moments.