Backend Developer (mid-level), PHP ​/ Node.js

ROMEO is one of the largest dating and social platforms for gay, bi and trans people, used by millions worldwide, including in places where our users cannot be open. That responsibility shapes how we build.

• Build and maintain backend services that power features for millions of users.
• Work across our two main stacks: a PHP API and Node.js microservices.
• Design and evolve database structures, and care about how queries behave at scale.
• Write tested code and review your teammates' code.
• Handle user data with the care it deserves. A lot of what we store is sensitive, and protecting it is part of every task.
• Debug real production issues and help make the system more reliable over time.
• Around 2-4 years building backend applications you can talk about in depth.
• Solid grounding in at least one object-oriented language. PHP or Node.js is a plus, but strong fundamentals plus a real willingness to learn our stack matter more.
• Comfortable with relational databases and SQL: you can write a non-trivial query and reason about why one is slow.
• You write tests and you value them.
• Good English for daily written and spoken work. We work in English, so no German is needed.

• Experience with high-traffic or high-availability systems.
• Familiarity with message queues / infra, (e.g. AMQP, Kubernetes).

• Hybrid working (2-3 days per week in our Berlin office)
• €40 employer contribution towards the Germany Job Ticket
• EGYM Wellpass (only €20/month employee contribution)
• In-house German classes
• Annual learning budget (e.g. for conferences, courses, certifications)
• Modern office in central Berlin
• International team, English-speaking environment
• Open to candidates who already have the legal right to work in Germany.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this postion.

At ROMEO, we’re building one of the world’s largest dating and social platforms for gay, bi and trans people. Millions of people rely on our platform every day—including many in places where they cannot live openly. That responsibility shapes how we design, build and operate our software.

As a Backend Developer, you’ll help build and evolve the services that power our platform, working alongside an experienced international engineering team based in Berlin. We offer a hybrid working model with the flexibility to combine office and home office work.