Senior Backend Engineer

Gathern; Riyadh; Hybrid; SAR 450,000 - 675,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Remote work

Flexible hours

Career growth

Job summary

Gathern is seeking a seasoned Backend Engineer with deep PHP expertise to lead complex, scalable systems in a fully remote setup. You will architect core backend services, design secure APIs, and drive DevOps practices across cloud platforms.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of backend experience, strong knowledge of microservices, databases, and performance optimization, with a track record of mentoring teams and delivering high-quality code.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional backend development experience, with leadership on complex projects.
• Expert proficiency in PHP backend programming language and frameworks.
• Strong knowledge of scalable system architecture, microservices, and design patterns.
• Extensive experience with SQL and NoSQL databases and API design (REST/GraphQL).
• Experience with cloud services (AWS/GCP), Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD, and DevOps practices.

Responsibilities

• Architect and design complex, scalable backend systems for reliability.
• Build and maintain core backend services using PHP and modern frameworks.
• Optimize performance and scalability; identify bottlenecks and resolve them.
• Ensure security, data protection, authentication, and compliance.
• Mentor team members, conduct code reviews, and promote best practices.
• Lead incident management, root-cause analysis, and preventive measures.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align tech with business goals.
• Manage databases and optimize for performance and reliability.
• Implement robust testing strategies for resilient systems.

Skills

PHP

Leadership

Cloud architecture

APIs

Database design

CI/CD

DevOps practices

Security

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

GCP

GraphQL

REST APIs

Git

Job description

About us:

At Gathern, we’re not just a platform, we’re the homegrown Saudi success story that built and leads the alternative hospitality sector across the Kingdom. As the largest peer-to-peer vacation rental marketplace in Saudi Arabia, Gathern enables travelers to explore the country through authentic stays hosted by local residents while directly supporting Saudi Vision 2030 by boosting tourism, empowering communities, and expanding accommodation supply.
Backed by our SAR 270 million Series B funding round led by Sanabil Investments (PIF-owned) and valuing Gathern at over SAR 1 billion! We’re entering an exciting new chapter of growth, innovation, and regional expansion as we prepare for a future Tadawul listing.
With 5M+ users, guests from 150+ nationalities, a network of 72,000+ hospitality units, and more than SAR 2 billion paid to 33,000+ Saudi hosts, Gathern stands as one of the fastest-growing tech companies in the Kingdom, holding a 44% national market share and 53% in Riyadh!
This is your opportunity to join a company that’s redefining travel and shaping the future of tourism in Saudi Arabia!

We are looking for a seasoned Backend Engineer with deep expertise in PHP and a strong track record leading complex, scalable system architectures. The ideal candidate brings solid experience across databases, cloud services, microservices, DevOps practices, and secure API development to drive high-quality, reliable backend solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Architect and design complex systems ensuring scalability and reliability
• Build and maintain core backend services using best-in-class technologies and frameworks
• Optimize performance and scalability by identifying bottlenecks and implementing efficient solutions
• Ensure security and compliance with proper authentication, data protection, and regulatory measures
• Mentor and guide team members through technical discussions, code reviews, and knowledge-sharing
• Conduct thorough code reviews to uphold high-quality coding standards and maintain best practices
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align technical solutions with business goals
• Manage databases by designing, monitoring, and optimizing for performance and reliability.
• Implement robust testing strategies for stable, resilient systems.
• Lead incident management by troubleshooting critical issues, driving root cause analysis, and implementing preventive measures.
• Stay current with industry trends and integrate emerging tools, frameworks, and practices to enhance backend systems

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)

• 5+ years of professional experience in backend development with proven leadership on complex projects
• Expert proficiency in PHP backend programming language and frameworks
• Proficiency in backend programming languages (e.g., Python, Go, Node.js) is a big plus.
• Deep understanding of scalable system architecture, design patterns, and microservices principles
• Extensive experience with database design, optimization, and management (both SQL and NoSQL)
• Proven ability to design and implement robust, secure APIs (RESTful, GraphQL) and handle third-party integrations
• Strong knowledge of cloud services (AWS, or GCP), containerization (Docker), and orchestration (Kubernetes)
• Deep familiarity with security best practices, data protection, authentication, and authorization mechanisms
• Experience with version control (Git), CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and DevOps practices

• USD salary,stable, competitive compensation regardless of currency fluctuations.
• Comprehensive medical insurance provided to support your wellbeing.

• Fully remote work with flexible hours, build your routine your way.
• Fast career growth in a company scaling rapidly across Saudi and the region.

Important Note to Applicants:

To ensure a smooth and efficient recruitment process for everyone, we kindly ask all candidates to complete the application questions thoroughly. We review your answers carefully, as they help us understand your experience and expectations clearly from the very beginning and avoid unnecessary back-and-forth later.

Applications submitted without properly completed questions may unfortunately be deprioritized.
Thank you for taking the time to fill them in thoughtfully.