Backend Engineer (Location-Based Mobile Game / AR)

Backend Engineer (Location-Based Mobile Game / AR)

About the Project
 

We are building a location-based mobile game where users purchase keys to hunt and open real-world chests using their phone camera.

Each chest can be opened only once globally, which makes backend logic, geo-queries, and data integrity critical.

This is an early-stage MVP with clear scope, fast decisions, and direct access to the product owner.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement backend architecture for the MVP
• Build REST APIs for:
   
  • user profiles & authentication
  • keys inventory & balance
  • geo-based chest discovery
  • chest opening (atomic, server-authoritative)
  • town-based statistics & leaderboard
     
• Design PostgreSQL schema with geospatial queries (PostGIS)
• Implement anti-cheat logic:
   
  • distance validation
  • speed / teleport detection
  • race-condition protection (two users opening same chest)
     
• Integrate Apple / Google sign-in
• Support in-app purchase receipt validation (keys)
• Work closely with Unity developer to define clean API contracts
   

Technical Requirements (Must Have)

• 4+ years of backend development experience
• Strong knowledge of PostgreSQL
• Experience designing REST APIs
• Understanding of transactional systems & data consistency
• Experience with Node.js (NestJS) or Go
• Familiarity with authentication flows (OAuth)
• Ability to work independently and make technical decisions
   

Nice to Have

• Experience with PostGIS or geo-based queries
• Experience with mobile games or high-concurrency systems
• Understanding of anti-fraud / anti-cheat patterns
• Experience with cloud deployment (AWS / GCP / similar)

What This Is NOT

• This is not a large corporate project
• No heavy bureaucracy
• No 10-layer approval process
• You will not “just implement tickets” — you will shape the system
   

Engagement Format

• Full-time preferred
• Remote
• Direct communication with founder / product owner