Senior Backend Python Engineer (Gateway) - Relocation to Cyprus

payabl.; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Provident Fund

Annual Learning Budget

€150 monthly Wolt allowance

SportsBenefits membership

Company car (after 1 year)

Parking near office

25 days vacation + holidays + 10 days.

Local discount card

Greek language classes

Company celebrations

International events

Job summary

payabl. is seeking an experienced backend engineer to advance the Gateway Related Projects, combining Perl maintenance with new Python microservices. You will tackle high-load, high-availability payment processing and integrate diverse external APIs in a fast-paced environment.

You will collaborate across DevOps and product teams, contribute to scalable architectures, and mentor peers. Relocation to Cyprus is supported as part of the contract package.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of backend engineering experience with deep Python expertise (FastAPI and AsyncIO preferred).
• Experience with Perl is a major plus, but a genuine eagerness to learn and work within Perl production code is mandatory.
• Proven experience building and scaling microservices architectures and high-throughput systems (e.g., payments, trading, or real-time processing).
• Deep understanding of integrating third-party APIs, specifically managing webhooks, callbacks, idempotency, and retry policies.
• Strong experience with Docker/Containerization and AWS cloud infrastructure (Lambda, SQS/SNS, and cloud networking).
• Familiarity with event-driven architecture and messaging systems (Kafka, RabbitMQ, etc.).
• Ownership & Mentorship: track record of owning features from design to production and mentoring engineers.
• English communication skills—written and verbal in a remote-first environment.

Responsibilities

• Dual-Track Engineering: maintain Perl gateway while building high-performance Python microservices.
• Modernize system by architecting scalable Python services for high-load environments.
• Integrate and manage complex third-party APIs and external payment services with robust error handling.
• Lead code reviews and drive engineering best practices to improve performance and scalability.
• Collaborate with DevOps to improve CI/CD pipelines (GitLab) and deploy on AWS (Lambda, ECS).
• Apply a product mindset to understand business impact and why features matter.
• Own production issues in distributed systems with a zero-downtime mindset for merchants.

Skills

Python

Perl

Distributed systems

APIs & reliability

Cloud & containers

English communication

Tools

FastAPI

AsyncIO

Docker

AWS

Lambda

ECS

GitLab

Kafka

RabbitMQ

Kafka/RabbitMQ

Job description

The role is about:

The Gateway Related Projects team is committed to designing, developing, and implementing payment solutions that guarantee stable and consistent payment processing. Our goal is to create successful products and establish a reputation as a dependable partner for our clients.

In this role, you will work in a fast-paced environment where system performance, scalability, and 99.9% reliability are critical to our core transaction flow.

• Location:Cyprus — Onsite (employment contract with relocation support)
• Reporting to:Technical Lead

What you will do:

• Dual-Track Engineering: Support and extend the existing Perl-based payment gateway while simultaneously designing and building high-performance microservices in Python.
• System Modernization: Architect and implement scalable, distributed Python services to replace legacy components, ensuring reliability under high-load production environments.
• High-Stakes Integrations: Integrate and manage complex third-party APIs and external payment services, ensuring seamless transaction flows and robust error handling.
• Technical Leadership: Lead code reviews, drive engineering best practices, and identify system bottlenecks to continuously improve performance and scalability.
• Architecture & Deployment: Collaborate with DevOps to improve CI/CD pipelines (GitLab) and architect solutions using AWS services (Lambda, ECS, etc.).
• Product-Focused Delivery: Go beyond the “how” of the code—bring a product mindset to understand the business logic, user impact, and the “why” behind every feature you build.
• Production Ownership: Troubleshoot and resolve complex production issues in distributed systems, maintaining a “zero-downtime” mentality for our merchants.

What we need:

• Python Mastery: 5+ years of backend engineering experience with deep Python expertise (FastAPI and AsyncIO preferred).
• Polyglot Mindset (Perl): Experience with Perl is a major plus, but a genuine eagerness to learn and work within Perl production code is mandatory. We value engineers who can bridge the gap between legacy and modern systems.
• Distributed Systems Expertise: Proven experience building and scaling microservices architectures and high-throughput systems (e.g., payments, trading, or real-time processing).
• API & Reliability Guru: Deep understanding of integrating third-party APIs, specifically managing webhooks, callbacks, idempotency, and retry policies.
• Cloud & Containers: Strong experience with Docker/Containerization and a solid grasp of AWS cloud infrastructure (Lambda, SQS/SNS, and cloud networking).
• Engineering over “AI Vibe Coding”: We value deep engineering logic over blind AI-generated snippets. You should be an advocate for clean, intentional code who can explain the reasoning behind every line you ship.
• High-Load Architecture: Familiarity with event-driven architecture and messaging systems (Kafka, RabbitMQ, etc.).
• Ownership & Mentorship: You have a track record of owning features from design to production and enjoy supporting/mentoring other engineers in the team.
• English Proficiency: Strong English communication skills—both written and verbal to collaborate effectively across our remote-first, multi-functional teams.

Hiring Process:

• Step 1 – Thinking in Action (40 minutes) Your first conversation will be with our Talent Acquisition team. We’ll explore your background, career journey, motivations, and overall fit for the role. As part of this discussion, you’ll also complete a short technical screening that will be reviewed by our engineering team. This stage helps us understand both your experience and how you approach technical challenges.
• Step 2 – Build in Production (60–90 minutes) Meet with the Team Lead and technical experts for a practical assessment. Depending on the role, this may involve a live coding exercise or a real-world scenario designed to evaluate your technical skills, problem-solving approach, and ability to work through challenges similar to those faced by our teams.
• Step 3 – Final Interview (45 minutes) The final stage is a group interview with senior members of our Technology squad, which may include the CTO, CPO, and Team Lead. Together, we’ll discuss team fit, collaboration style, expectations from both sides, and any remaining question about the role, team, or technology domain. This is also an opportunity for you to learn more about our culture and ways of working.

The perks of being a payabl.er:

• Future-Proof Your Finances: Once you’ve passed probation, we’ll kickstart your Provident Fund to secure your future.
• Grow with Us: Annual Learning Budget for professional development (eligible after probation)—because your growth is our growth.
• Wolt Your Way Through Lunch: €150 monthly Wolt allowance to keep you fueled and happy.
• Stay Active Your Way: Enjoy a SportsBenefits membership giving you access to a wide variety of gyms and sports facilities to support your active lifestyle.
• Drive in Style: After one year with us, you may be eligible for a company car—performance and availability permitting.
• Park with Ease: Complimentary parking space just steps from the office, so your commute is as smooth as your workday.
• Max Out Your Downtime: 25 days of vacation + public holidays + 10 days of sick leave.
• Shop & Save: Exclusive local discount card + tickets for exciting events like Beonix, basketball games, and more.
• Speak Like a Local: Join free Greek language classes, twice a week, open to all team members.
• Celebrate Together: We bring colleagues from all offices together for unforgettable company celebrations.
• Global Collaboration & Events: Opportunities to participate in international company events and initiatives, connecting with colleagues from all regions and contributing to a truly global community

We offer a relocation package that will be discussed in the first interview with your Talent Acquisition Partner.

Let’s embark on a journey to redefine the landscape of payments together. We’re not just offering a role; we’re inviting you to be a part of something bigger. Join our team, and let’s innovate, disrupt, and lead the future of payments. Together, we can make an impact that resonates. Welcome to the team!

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