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