Senior Backend Engineer (PHP/ Laravel/Node.js)

StairwaySoft is an Israeli-Ukrainian engineering provider of custom software solutions for SMBs and startups. We’re looking for a Senior Backend Engineer (PHP/ Laravel/Node.js) to contribute to a large-scale SMS platform with multiple services, integrations, and high system load.

This is primarily a backend-focused role (around 80%), with occasional frontend involvement (up to 20%) using Vue.js and Blade templates when needed.

We are specifically looking for an experienced engineer who is comfortable working in high-load production environments, troubleshooting performance bottlenecks, optimizing database and search layers, and building scalable services.

Our technical stack:

PHP (Laravel), Node.js, SQL, ClickHouse, ElasticSearch, MongoDB, Vue.js, Blade templates

Responsibilities:

• Diagnose and resolve performance and stability issues in a high-load environment
• Optimize SQL queries and ElasticSearch layers to improve system performance
• Build and expand backend services, including both monolithic and microservice-based components
• Participate in architecture discussions and scalability improvements
• Occasionally contribute to frontend development when needed

Requirements:

• 8+ years of commercial backend engineering experience
• Strong command of PHP, Laravel, and Node.js
• Experience building and supporting high-load systems
• Strong experience with SQL databases and backend performance optimization
• Experience troubleshooting production issues and working with live systems
• Hands-on experience with APIs and third-party integrations
• Senior-level engineering mindset and ability to work independently

Would be a strong advantage:

• Experience with ClickHouse and ElasticSearch
• Experience with MongoDB and NoSQL databases
• Frontend experience with Vue.js and Blade templates
• Experience with distributed or service-oriented systems