Senior Backend Developer

Location: Miami, FL (In-office preferred; open to remote for exceptional talent in the US/Canada)

About the role

Our partner is a global technology platform providing video streaming, cloud infrastructure, and digital ecosystem solutions to millions of active users. They are seeking a Senior Back-End Developer to take ownership of end-to-end server-side architecture, building and refining mission-critical systems designed for extreme traffic, low latency, and continuous uptime. This senior individual contributor role demands a seasoned engineer who thrives on solving complex, data-intensive problems, modernizes production systems without disruption, and makes sound architectural choices as scale expands. Their tech stack centers on core backend services, custom API layers, MySQL database optimization, in-memory caching, and Linux environments, with seamless integration into modern user interfaces.

Responsibilities

• High-Scale System Architecture: Design, deploy, and maintain high-throughput backend services powering a global media platform, prioritizing long-term stability and execution speed.
• Database & Caching Performance: Structure and optimize complex MySQL schemas, write efficient queries, and architect high-volume caching layers utilizing Redis and Memcached.
• API Development & Legacy Evolution: Build robust RESTful/internal APIs, modernize legacy codebases, and integrate backend execution logic with client-facing interfaces.
• Data Processing & Workloads: Build and monitor async queue processing systems, background job workers, and large-scale data pipelines.
• Technical Quality & Mentorship: Drive engineering best practices through peer code reviews, reusable code patterns, and collaborative design discussions with cross-functional partners.

Requirements

• Proven Track Record: 8+ years of backend engineering experience delivering scalable, high-traffic production platforms.
• Object-Oriented & PHP Mastery: 10+ years of object-oriented programming experience, including 5+ years of hands-on expertise with modern PHP standards (PHP 8+).
• Database & In-Memory Caching: Deep knowledge of MySQL (indexing, schema normalization, execution plan analysis) paired with practical implementation of Redis or Memcached.
• Linux & Web Protocols: Strong operational understanding of HTTP/HTTPS, web servers, and Linux administrative environments, including real-time log analysis and production troubleshooting.
• Full-Stack Awareness: Working knowledge of modern JavaScript/TypeScript, HTML, and CSS to effectively collaborate on front-end integration points.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.

Preferred Experience

• Exposure to video processing workflows, streaming protocols, codecs, or real-time live video delivery systems.
• Experience configuring NGINX, managing WebSocket connections, writing BASH automation scripts, or using static analysis tooling (e.g., PHPStan).
• Background in refactoring monolithic PHP applications, working with server-side rendering, and building automated test suites (PHPUnit) within CI/CD pipelines.

Pay

Base Salary Range: $159,000 – $176,000 USD + comprehensive benefits package + equity package (Final compensation is determined based on candidate technical depth, experience level, and internal equity structures.)