Senior PHP Backend Engineer

Life at Smoobu
At Smoobu, we are building more than just software. We empower everyday people to become successful entrepreneurs by helping them manage their vacation rentals simply and efficiently. Our platform supports over 100,000 properties in 120+ countries, enabling hosts to grow their businesses confidently and efficiently.

That kind of impact doesn't come from playing it safe; it comes from people who take ownership, act purposefully, and work together to make things happen.

How You Will Contribute To Our Success

• Work hand-in-hand with business stakeholders to identify requirements, plan milestones, and polish features by measuring their performance
• Decompose the monolith, building a modern import/export pipeline to support hundreds of third-party integrations
• Migrate the application environment from the private cloud to the AWS platform
• Choose adequate technical and business metrics to monitor features and manage the risk
• Apply engineering best practices to the current team environment
• Solve technical design issues

You will thrive in this role if you

• Have solid relevant experience in Backend engineering

• Demonstrated expertise in our technical stack

• Recent PHP & Symfony versions

• Relational databases (MySQL)

• Docker

• Have a practical knowledge of:

• Decomposing monolithic architectures

• Clean Coding
• Test-Driven Development

• SOLID principles

• Have excellent communication skills and the ability to work efficiently in a distributed team

• Are fluent in English

Nice to have

• Experience with layered architectures
• Experience with CQRS patterns
• Understanding of Domain-Driven Design principles

What You Can Expect

• Flexibility – We work remotely for up to 50% of the year, including up to 63 working days abroad.
• Time to Recharge – 27 vacation days, plus one extra day for each year of tenure (up to 32). Celebrate your 5th anniversary with five additional paid days off and a €500 HomeToGo booking credit.
• Mobility perks – Monthly subsidy for the Deutschland-Ticket (nationwide public transport) and tax-advantaged bike leasing via salary conversion.
• Learning & Growth – Mentorship program, Lingoda German classes, professional development opportunities, and clear pathways for growth based on your performance.
• Wellbeing & Fun – Team events, a dog-friendly office, social clubs, new joiner buddy lunches, mental health support, and a Wellhub (Gympass) contribution.
• Perks & Discounts – Enjoy corporate discounts and exclusive offers through FutureBens and Corporate Benefits.
• Climate Commitment – CSRD-compliant, proud member of Leaders for Climate Action, partnering with Plan A to set and track the Group's carbon footprint.
• Diversity - Our company language is English, and our team represents over 28 nationalities.

Recruitment Process

• 30-minute call with a recruiter
• 45-60 minute call with your future manager
• 60-90 minute technical assessment with a peer or stakeholder. This step may include a discussion of a take-home assignment, which you may be asked to prepare in advance.
• 30-minute call with your future team members
• Reference check & Offer

Please note that this is a general recruitment process and may vary depending on the role and the seniority level of the position.

Smoobu is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring and nurturing exceptional talent, representing various backgrounds, perspectives and skills. We are authentically candid and open-minded, fostering a safe environment for diverse opinions. Our hiring decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business needs. We do not discriminate against race, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, political, ideological or religious views, disability or age.

We are committed to creating and maintaining a workforce of equality and diversity at Smoobu and to provide opportunities to everyone. We therefore welcome your application even if you aren't completely confident that your experiences fit the job description criteria. We would really love to get to know you

About Us
Smoobu ( ), a subsidiary of HomeToGo Group, is a fast-growing startup in the vacation rental industry. Smoobu's SaaS solution currently empowers private hosts to manage over 100,000 properties across more than 110 countries. Smoobu runs as an independent enterprise within the HomeToGo Group, ensuring its startup spirit and growth potential remain at the forefront. Our top priority is to assist hosts in efficiently managing and growing their businesses simultaneously.

Smoobu's success is attributed to our dynamic, ambitious, and international team, dedicated to exceeding our customers' expectations through expert advice and action. We celebrate diversity and operate in a truly global environment, embracing the challenges and opportunities that come with it. Join us on this exciting journey to transform the vacation rental industry