Senior Backend Engineer (PHP) (m/f/d)

• Design, build, and maintain reliable, scalable backend systems with Laravel.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, frontend engineers, and other backend developers to deliver impactful features.

• Mentor and support junior and mid-level engineers, fostering a culture of growth and collaboration.

• Proactively identify and drive improvements in system architecture, performance, and processes.

• Troubleshoot and resolve complex challenges with a structured, analytical mindset.

• Balance speed and long-term maintainability, making pragmatic trade-offs when needed.

• Proven experience as a backend engineer, with deep expertise in Laravel.

• Strong track record in building scalable web applications and APIs.

• A pragmatic and analytical approach to problem-solving and decision-making.

• Excellent collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.

• Experience mentoring and guiding teammates, helping them grow professionally.

• A mindset that values both technical excellence and practical, business-oriented solutions.

• All positions (including leadership roles) available in full-time & part-time

• Flexible trust-based working hours

• Remote-first company (100% remote work possible)

• Onboarding program

• Modern office space in Cologne's Südstadt, within walking distance of the main train station

• Development opportunities (Internal academies, workshops, and individual external training)

• Regular team events

• Company celebrations (3 times a year)

• Germany-wide public transport ticket

• Business bike option

• Dog-friendly office

• Sabbatical option

• Working from abroad for up to 3 months per year within the European Economic Area

• Choice of hardware

• Anonymous crisis counseling through external service provider

• 30 days of vacation + New Year's Eve, Christmas, and 1 Culture Day (So actually 33 days)

Studydrive is Europe’s leading student community! With more than 3 million registered students, we are transforming the education market. For our users, we are an integral part of their daily lives, as they find direct access to their fellow students, helpful learning materials and all the answers to their most important questions about their studies.

 At the same time, we offer our corporate customers unique access to the largest pool of young talent in Europe. We are an indispensable partner in recruiting and employer branding of junior staff and are constantly developing new formats for attracting young talents with the most renowned companies in Germany.

We started as a start-up in 2013 and have been part of the successful and international StepStone Group since 2019. Since 2025 we are part of meinestadt.de

Over 200 colleagues in Cologne and throughout Germany work passionately every day to be a trustworthy partner for our users and customers. We are not resting on our more than 25 years of experience, but are constantly growing and developing. We want to make meinestadt.de a digital home where you know your way around and feel just as comfortable as in your own city.
Here you can find out more about the history of meinestadt.de, here you can see the social issues that move us at meinestad.de, and here we show all our benefits at a glance. Of course, we've also included a brief look at our product. 

We would like to encourage you to apply, even if you don't have all the qualifications or other qualifications than those described above. We are open to career changers and to shaping the role together with you. First and foremost, it is important to us that you enjoy your work and want to make a difference!  We value diversity and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social background, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

What counts for us are your skills, not your looks. That's why we are happy to receive your CV without a photo and deliberately conduct the first interview over the phone. This allows us to get to know you in an unbiased way - authentically, with a focus on your personality, experience and motivation.