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 reliabilityBuild and maintain core backend services using best-in-class technologies and frameworksOptimize performance and scalability by identifying bottlenecks and implementing efficient solutionsEnsure security and compliance with proper authentication, data protection, and regulatory measuresMentor and guide team members through technical discussions, code reviews, and knowledge-sharingConduct thorough code reviews to uphold high-quality coding standards and maintain best practicesCollaborate with cross-functional teams to align technical solutions with business goalsManage databases by designing, monitoring, and optimizing for performance and reliabilityImplement robust testing strategies for stable, resilient systemsLead incident management by troubleshooting critical issues, driving root cause analysis, and implementing preventive measuresStay current with industry trends and integrate emerging tools, frameworks, and practices to enhance backend systemsRequirementsBachelor'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 projectsExpert proficiency in PHP backend programming language and frameworksProficiency in backend programming languages (e.g., Python, Go, Node.js) is a big plusDeep understanding of scalable system architecture, design patterns, and microservices principlesExtensive 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 integrationsStrong knowledge of cloud services (AWS, or GCP), containerization (Docker), and orchestration (Kubernetes)Deep familiarity with security best practices, data protection, authentication, and authorization mechanismsExperience with version control (Git), CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and DevOps practicesBenefitsUSD salary,stable, competitive compensation regardless of currency fluctuations. Comprehensive medical insurance provided to support your wellbeingFully 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.