Middle Backend Engineer

About the role

We are looking for a Backend Engineer to build and scale the backend of Maxroll.gg, a high-traffic gaming companion platform with over 25 million monthly visits, as part of IGN.

The mandatory requirements include 3+ years of backend development with TypeScript on Node.js, strong SQL and caching skills, experience with REST and GraphQL APIs, production-scale applications, daily hands-on use of AI coding tools, and an upper-intermediate English level.

What you will do

• Build and maintain REST and GraphQL APIs in TypeScript (Fastify, Hono) for user profiles, subscriptions and game data, including authentication, rate limits and typed contracts.
• Design schemas and write queries for PostgreSQL and MySQL (Prisma, Drizzle), including versioned game data, player builds and migrations on tables in live use.
• Run ClickHouse analytics pipelines: request logs, materialized views, article and revenue metrics, and the queries behind dashboards.
• Own the cache layers end to end: Redis-compatible stores, query caching, tag-invalidated cache, HTTP headers and CDN purges.
• Build and run scheduled jobs and queue consumers (NATS) for game data sync, leaderboards, Meilisearch indexing, sitemaps, Stripe webhooks, payouts and data-deletion requests.
• Integrate third-party APIs (Stripe, Discord, Blizzard, IGDB, Steam, YouTube), handling retries, backoff and rate limits.
• Process game images into map tiles, sprite sheets and responsive image sizes.
• Keep responses lean for Remix and Next.js pages to improve time to first byte, PageSpeed and SEO.
• Work with AI coding agents every day: direct them, review their output, and maintain the guardrails that make their changes safe to merge (tests, lint rules, build checks, agent instructions).
• Deploy through Docker, GitHub Actions and Kubernetes.
• Support high-traffic game launches, including outside regular hours when needed.

Must haves

• 3+ years of backend development with TypeScript on Node.js.
• Strong command of TypeScript's type system (generics, inference, discriminated unions, narrowing).
• Schema validation experience with Zod or similar.
• Strong SQL skills in PostgreSQL and/or MySQL: schema design, indexing, query plans, migrations on live data, transactions and locking.
• Experience running an analytical database at production volume (ClickHouse preferred; BigQuery, Druid or similar also count).
• Experience designing caching: Redis or a compatible store, invalidation strategies, HTTP cache headers, CDN behavior.
• Experience designing and consuming REST and GraphQL APIs, including authentication and rate limiting.
• Experience with background jobs and message queues, including handling jobs that run twice or don't run at all.
• Experience with high-volume, user-facing production applications.
• Experience taking a product from idea to production.
• Proficiency with agentic AI coding tools (Claude Code, Cursor or similar): daily, hands-on use in a real codebase, and good judgment about when their output needs checking.
• Comfortable reading and changing React code when a feature reaches the frontend.
• Able to work well in a startup-style, fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
• Flexible about working hours: some game launches happen in the evening or on weekends and need coverage outside the standard 9-to-5.
• Passion for gaming.
• Upper-intermediate English level.

Nice to haves

• Experience with Bun.
• Experience with any of the current stack: Remix, Next.js, Fastify, Hono, Prisma, Drizzle, Apollo GraphQL, Meilisearch, NATS, Ory, Stripe, Nx.
• shadcn/ui and Tailwind CSS.
• Strict lint setups (typescript-eslint strictTypeChecked, custom lint rules, architecture boundaries).
• Docker, Kubernetes, GitOps (ArgoCD), GitHub Actions, External Secrets.
• Payments and subscriptions (Stripe checkout, webhooks, promotion codes).
• Writing agent instructions, skills or custom tooling for AI coding agents.
• Experience building game tools, such as databases, interactive maps, calculators or planners.

Perks

• Growth without limits: build your skills through mentorship, internal TechTalks, challenging projects, and a dedicated annual learning budget
• Competitive compensation: get recognition that reflects your skills and impact, with regular performance and compensation reviews
• Flexibility: work 100% remotely with flexible hours that support focus, autonomy, and a healthy work rhythm
• Meaningful, modern projects: build impactful products using modern technologies alongside global teams and leading brands
• Collaborative culture: join a supportive environment with zero micromanagement where ideas are welcomed and contributions are recognized
• Well-being & support: access local well-being programs and people-focused support tailored to your location