Lead Backend Engineer (Ruby)

TL;DR

Lead Backend Engineer (Ruby): Leading the architectural direction and technical roadmap for a youth sports platform with an accent on system evolution and AI integration. Focus on designing scalable backend services, mentoring engineers, and implementing LLM capabilities into the product.

Location: Remote, anywhere in Europe

Salary: €80,000–€90,000

Company

hirify.global is a platform redefining youth sports, helping young athletes track performance, get discovered, and connect with the sporting community.

What you will do

• Lead the architectural direction of the backend platform during its next evolution phase.
• Drive the technical roadmap for a new flagship project.
• Establish standards for AI adoption within development workflows and as product capabilities.
• Write production code, review PRs, and mentor other engineers.
• Collaborate with product, mobile, and design teams to turn ambitious ideas into scalable solutions.
• Make pragmatic decisions regarding system evolution, maintenance, and rebuilding.

Requirements

• Significant experience as a senior or lead backend engineer with a track record of owning architecture decisions.
• Deep proficiency in Ruby, Python, Elixir, Go, or a similar modern backend language.
• Strong expertise in API design, data modelling, and system evolution.
• Hands-on experience or strong demonstrable interest in integrating AI/LLM capabilities into real products.
• Experience leading and mentoring other engineers.
• Must be comfortable working remotely across European timezones.

Nice to have

• Experience with consumer-scale mobile backends.
• Experience with GraphQL.
• Knowledge of Kotlin Multiplatform.

Culture & Benefits

• Remote-first work environment across Europe.
• Ambitious, small team culture focused on redefining a sports category.
• Opportunity to shape foundational technical decisions for a high-impact project.
• Flexible engagement starting as a freelance contract with a clear intention of moving to a permanent role.