Senior Backend Engineer

Senior Software Engineer (Go, PHP) – EV Charging Location Data Platform Location: Utrecht, Netherlands (Hybrid, 3 days/week in office) Base Pay Range: €70,000 – €90,000 + holiday allowance, plus a lot of great benefits (see below) About the Client (Scale-up, 60+ people, Utrecht, Netherlands, mission-driven) Our client is a leading independent global platform for EV charge point location and pricing data. They give navigation providers, charge point operators, eMSPs, and the public sector accurate, trustworthy data on where EV charging happens and what it costs. With over 1.5 million connectors tracked across 80+ countries, they support the electrification of both passenger and heavy-duty vehicles. They're looking for people who want their work to have a direct, measurable impact on the transition to electric mobility. The Role As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll design, test, and build new functionality for one of the company's most foundational and critical products: validated, enriched location data for charging stations worldwide, delivered via an OCPI-based API. There's also an internal Laravel UI (Blade templates) that will see more investment going forward. You'll report to the Team Lead of the Locations team and take ownership of the applications, data, and security architecture you work on. You'll play a pivotal role in transitioning foundational backend services from PHP to Go, ensuring the integrity, performance, and security of data powering 1.5M+ EV connectors worldwide. You'll also upgrade and modernize internal tools that support data validation workflows, treating clean, maintainable code as a personal standard. You'll work across the API, data, and security layers, collaborating closely with the product manager to help shape the technical roadmap. The stack is Go and PHP (Laravel), used intermittently, running on Google Cloud Platform, MySQL, Postgres, Kubernetes, and Docker, with the team actively transitioning from PHP to Go. AI tools (e.g. Claude Code, Gemini) are available and encouraged, with a strong expectation that engineers personally own what they ship. Key Responsibilities Rebuild critical backend components as part of the PHP to Go migrationOwn the integrity, performance, and security of data powering 1.5M+ EV connectors worldwideUpgrade and modernize internal tools supporting data validation workflowsWrite clean, readable, highly maintainable code and take full ownership of your deliverablesProactively identify and propose improvements to product, architecture, performance, scalability, and securityWork with the product manager to jointly define and manage the technical roadmapCollaborate cross-functionally to ensure API and data reliability for clients Requirements 7+ years of professional software engineering experience, including 4+ years hands-on with Go or PHP (Laravel)Proven experience with system design and architecture level decision-making (must-have for this senior role)Strong technical proficiency with Google Cloud Platform, MySQL, Postgres, Kubernetes, and DockerSolid experience with automated testing and a genuine passion for code maintainability and readabilityNice to have: PHP experience (the team is transitioning away from it)Nice to have: familiarity with GitLab CIStrong communication and collaboration skills, with a growth mindset We Care Salary: €70K–€90K plus holiday allowanceVisa sponsorship available for candidates already located in the Netherlands (relocation is not offered)Fun, international team with frequent company eventsDynamic scale-up environment: real opportunity to make an impactOwn office right next to Utrecht Central StationHybrid working: 3 days in office, 2 from home. Monday and Thursday are mandatory office days, with free healthy lunch provided25 vacation daysPension scheme20 weeks of 100% paid parental leave€150 medical allowanceEmployee well-being support and fitness programsMembership to MyWheels, an EV car-sharing service1-year contractFreedom and autonomy: no dull moments guaranteed Ready to apply? If this sounds like your next challenge, reach out directly via email or LinkedIn.