Senior Backend Engineer (Laravel / Native PHP / API)

🚀 Senior Backend Developer (PHP / Laravel) We’re looking for a Senior Backend Developer to help build, scale, and optimize a powerful sports data platform and APIs used worldwide 🌍 This is your chance to work on a product trusted by sports clubs, federations, media companies, and global organizations.

🏢 About the Company

Our client is a fast-growing sports data company based in the Netherlands 🇳🇱, delivering high-quality, reliable data through APIs powering: Sports websites & mobile apps Fantasy sports platforms Media products Analytics & data solutions Their platform is trusted by well-known brands across sports and media ⚡

💡 About the Role

As a Senior Backend Engineer, you will: Take ownership of backend architecture 🏗️ Work on high-load, high-performance systems ⚙️ Build scalable APIs and microservices Solve complex technical challenges This is a hands-on individual contributor role — no people management, just real engineering impact 💻

🔎 What We’re Looking For

✔️ 5+ years of Backend development experience ✔️ Strong expertise in PHP + Laravel ✔️ Solid understanding of OOP and architecture ✔️ Experience with high-load systems ✔️ Experience building microservices and scalable systems ✔️ Strong API development experience ✔️ Good English communication skills ➕ Nice to have: interest in sports 🏀⚽ 📍 Willingness to work on-site in the Netherlands 2–3 days/week

👨‍💻 Team

~11 developers Strong engineering culture Pragmatic and collaborative environment Hybrid setup (remote + in-person) 🛠️ What You’ll Do Design and improve backend architecture Build and maintain microservices Develop high-performance APIs Work with real-time data systems 📡 Improve system performance, reliability, and scalability Contribute to long-term technical decisions Perform code reviews and raise engineering standards Collaborate with product and technical stakeholders

🎁 What’s Offered 💰 Competitive salary 🎯 Annual bonus (€500–€2000) 🏖️ 26 vacation days 💻 Laptop, pension, lunches, travel reimbursement 🕐 Flexible working hours 🚀 Real impact in a growing international company

📍 Location & Setup

Leeuwarden, Netherlands 🇳🇱 Full-time, direct employment (no B2B/freelance)

⚠️ Important:

You must already have the right to work in the Netherlands No standard visa sponsorship available Possible support for 30% ruling (not guaranteed)

🧩 Interview Process

Intro call with CEO Technical interview (incl. live coding) Additional round (if needed) 🔥 If you enjoy building high-performance systems, working with real-time data, and making a real product impact — this role is for you