Senior Backend Engineer (f/m/x) - remote
We are seeking an experienced Senior Backend Engineer (f/m/x) to join our App squad. In this role, you will be responsible for the design and implementation of scalable backend services that power refurbed's mobile app and marketplace. Just as importantly, you understand how a native mobile app consumes those services - so you can guide backend decisions, your own and those of other squads, to fit the app's needs and constraints. You will work as part of a cross-functional product squad, collaborating closely with other engineers, product managers, designers, and business members to deliver robust, reliable, and high-performance solutions that enhance the experience of both our customers and our sellers.
Our technology stack is built on proven, modern, and open-source technologies. On the backend, we primarily use Go, gRPC, PostgreSQL, Redis, and RabbitMQ, with Node.js / TypeScript powering a number of app-facing services. Our mobile app is built in React Native + Expo, and on the web frontend we leverage Vue.js, Alpine.js, and Tailwind CSS. Our infrastructure runs on Google Cloud Platform, orchestrated with Kubernetes, ensuring reliability and scalability at every layer.
WHO YOU ARE
You have 7+ years experience designing and building scalable backend services in a modern production environment
You have strong proficiency in Go and deep understanding of distributed systems and service-oriented architecture
You are comfortable with JavaScript/TypeScript, or confident you can pick up Node.js quickly - with strong Go fundamentals, we expect the rest to come easily. Existing Node.js experience is a plus.
You've worked on a team that builds and maintains a native mobile app. You don't need to write native code yourself, but you have real exposure to how mobile apps consume backend services and understand the constraints and caveats they introduce (API design for mobile, versioning and backwards compatibility, release cycles, latency, offline behaviour). You can spot when a backend decision won't fit the app and flag it early.
You are well-versed in SQL and relational database design
You have general knowledge of the frontend world, and are able to perform basic tasks in our frontend apps
You're a self-starter with strong ownership, initiative, and the ability to quickly learn and navigate complex systems
You're open-minded and communicate with clarity, directness, and respect
You value humility, are low-ego, and thrive in a collaborative, transparent culture
You have excellent English skills and you are based in a European time zone.
You are curious and eager to experiment with new and better ways of developing software, whether it's a new framework, the latest AI tool, or developing a new practice
A degree in Computer Science (or a related field) or equivalent work experience is desired as it provides a strong foundation for tackling the complex challenges we work on.
Bonus: you're comfortable operating beyond your own squad - reviewing designs and guiding other engineers whose work touches the mobile app. This role has room to grow into a broader technical leadership scope for the right person.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Design, build, and maintain our core APIs and backend services that power the mobile app and marketplace
Own the operations and the monitoring of production systems
Be the mobile-aware voice in backend decisions across squads: review designs and API changes, yours and other teams', to make sure they fit the needs and constraints of our mobile app, and flag caveats early
Integrate third-party systems and APIs into our platform
Own design and implementation of new features and services
Identify best practices and create/suggest standards to be used by whole engineering department
Documents and demonstrates solutions by developing documentation, flowcharts, layouts, diagrams, charts, code comments and clear code
Contribute to sustaining refurbed engineering culture by mentoring more junior colleagues and onboarding new joiners
Collaborate closely with other engineers, product managers, and business stakeholders to deliver high-quality solutions
Proactively offer insights and presents achievements and results in relevant meetings
Occasionally propagate your backend changes to frontend