As a Senior Backend Developer, you'll architect and maintain high-performance server-side systems that power our games' core logic, multiplayer interactions, and player data management. You'll collaborate with game designers, frontend engineers, and DevOps to deliver seamless, scalable experiences under high-load conditions. This role is ideal for a passionate developer who thrives on solving complex scalability challenges in the fast-paced gaming industry, with opportunities to influence tech decisions and mentor junior team members.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and optimize scalable backend services using Node.js/TypeScript or C#/.NET, including RESTful APIs, WebSockets for real-time communication, and microservices architectures.
- Implement and maintain database solutions (e.g., MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Redis) for efficient data storage, player progression tracking, matchmaking, and analytics, ensuring high availability and low latency.
- Integrate with game engines like Unity or Unreal for server-authoritative logic, anti-cheat systems, and live operations features such as events and leaderboards.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align backend capabilities with game design goals, including prototyping new features and conducting code reviews for quality and security.
- Monitor and enhance system performance, using tools like Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) to handle peak traffic and ensure 99.9% uptime.
- Contribute to R&D for emerging technologies, such as blockchain/NFT integrations or AI-driven personalization, while maintaining robust testing, CI/CD pipelines, and documentation.
- Mentor junior developers, foster knowledge sharing, and drive agile processes to deliver iterative improvements and bug fixes in a live-service environment.
Key Requirements
- 5+ years of professional backend development experience, with at least 2 years in the gaming, esports, or high-traffic entertainment industry.
- Proficiency in backend languages and frameworks such as Node.js (with Express/NestJS), C#/.NET, Ruby, or Python; strong experience with asynchronous programming and event-driven architectures.
- Hands-on expertise with databases (SQL/NoSQL like PostgreSQL, MongoDB, MySQL) and caching systems (e.g., Redis), including query optimization and schema design for large-scale data.
- Familiarity with cloud infrastructure, containerization (Docker/Kubernetes), and DevOps practices (CI/CD, monitoring with tools like Prometheus or New Relic).
- Proven track record of building secure, scalable systems handling real-time data, such as multiplayer sessions, transactions, or user authentication (OAuth/JWT).
- Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to debug complex issues in distributed systems and optimize for performance under high concurrency.
- Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset; experience working in agile teams with tools like Git, Jira, or Confluence.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with game-specific technologies, such as server-side integration with Unity/Unreal, Steam/PSN APIs, or matchmaking algorithms.
- Knowledge of blockchain (e.g., Ethereum smart contracts) or machine learning for player analytics.
- Contributions to open-source projects or a personal portfolio of shipped games/live services.
- Familiarity with observability tools, message queues (RabbitMQ/Kafka), or edge computing (e.g., Cloudflare Workers).