Lead Backend Engineer (PHP) – Architect, Scale & Mentor

Kolay IK; Polska; Hybrid; PLN 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Kolay is seeking a Backend Team Lead to own the server-side of our product, shaping architecture and driving scalable, reliable services.

You will mentor the backend team, conduct code reviews, influence tech decisions, and ensure robust APIs, tests, and CI/CD practices.

Join a fast-growing HR SaaS platform and collaborate with Product, Frontend and DevOps to deliver high-impact features.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as a Backend Developer with at least 2 years in leadership or mentorship.
• Strong expertise in PHP (Laravel) and modern backend development practices.
• Deep experience with relational PostgreSQL and non-relational MongoDB databases.
• Proven track record designing, scaling, and optimizing RESTful APIs.
• Experience in leading technical decisions, code reviews, and architectural discussions.
• Familiarity with CI/CD and DevOps best practices for high-quality deployments.
• Ability to mentor junior developers, delegate tasks, and drive team productivity.
• Good command of written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Lead the backend development team in designing, implementing, and scaling robust server-side solutions.
• Mentor and guide team members through code reviews, best practices, and technical decisions.
• Oversee the full application lifecycle, ensuring high-quality, maintainable code.
• Collaborate with Product, Frontend, and DevOps to align execution with business goals.
• Drive architectural discussions and make strategic decisions on system design and tech stack.
• Troubleshoot complex issues, optimize performance, and ensure system reliability.
• Establish and enforce coding standards, testing practices, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Identify technical debt and prioritize refactoring alongside new features.
• Work with stakeholders to gather requirements, plan sprints, and deliver on time.
• Stay updated on emerging technologies and propose innovations to enhance the product.

Skills

PHP Laravel

RESTful APIs

Agile Scrum

Leadership

CI/CD

DevOps

English

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent

Tools

PostgreSQL

MongoDB

AWS

CI/CD pipelines

Job description

Kolay is seeking a Backend Team Lead to own the server-side of our product, shaping architecture and driving scalable, reliable services.

You will mentor the backend team, conduct code reviews, influence tech decisions, and ensure robust APIs, tests, and CI/CD practices.

Join a fast-growing HR SaaS platform and collaborate with Product, Frontend and DevOps to deliver high-impact features.