The Role
Build and scale the backend for a high-traffic gaming companion site. Develop TypeScript and Node.js REST and GraphQL APIs, design SQL schemas, operate analytics and caching systems, manage queues and integrations, optimize performance, and deploy with Docker and Kubernetes. Use AI coding agents daily while maintaining quality controls. Support game launches, collaborate on frontend changes, and work flexible hours when needed.
Summary Generated by Built In
AgileEngine is an Inc. 5000 company that creates award-winning software for Fortune 500 brands and trailblazing startups across 17+ industries. We rank among the leaders in areas like application development and AI/ML, and our people-first culture has earned us multiple Best Place to Work awards.
WHY JOIN US
If you're looking for a place to grow, make an impact, and work with people who care, we'd love to meet you!
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are looking for a Senior Backend Engineer to build and scale the backend of a high-traffic gaming companion site.
The mandatory requirements are 5+ years of backend development with TypeScript on Node.js, PostgreSQL or MySQL, Redis caching, REST and GraphQL APIs, daily 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
- 5+ 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 AND BENEFITS
- Professional growth: Mentorship, TechTalks, and personalized growth roadmaps.
- Competitive compensation: USD-based pay with education, fitness, and team activity budgets.
- Exciting projects: Modern solutions with Fortune 500 and top product companies.
- Flextime: Flexible schedule with remote and office options.
Meet Our Recruitment Process
Application → Coding Challenge → Video Interview → Technical Interview or Hiring Manager Interview
Each step helps us understand your skills and overall fit.
If it’s a match, you’ll receive an offer.
Skills Required
- 5+ years of backend development using TypeScript on Node.js
- Strong TypeScript type-system knowledge, including generics, inference, discriminated unions, and narrowing
- Schema validation experience with Zod or a similar tool
- Strong SQL skills with PostgreSQL and/or MySQL, including schema design, indexing, query plans, migrations, transactions, and locking
- Production-volume analytical database experience, preferably ClickHouse
- Caching design experience with Redis or compatible stores, invalidation strategies, HTTP cache headers, and CDN behavior
- REST and GraphQL API design and consumption experience, including authentication and rate limiting
- Background jobs and message queue experience, including handling duplicate or missed jobs
- Experience with high-volume, user-facing production applications
- Experience taking a product from idea to production
- Daily hands-on proficiency with agentic AI coding tools such as Claude Code or Cursor
- Ability to read and modify React code
- Ability to work in a fast-paced startup environment with changing priorities
- Flexibility to provide evening or weekend coverage during game launches
- Passion for gaming
- Upper-intermediate English proficiency
- Experience with Bun
- Experience with Remix, Next.js, Fastify, Hono, Prisma, Drizzle, Apollo GraphQL, Meilisearch, NATS, Ory, Stripe, or Nx
- Experience with shadcn/ui and Tailwind CSS
- Experience with strict linting, custom lint rules, or architecture boundaries
- Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, GitOps, ArgoCD, GitHub Actions, or External Secrets
- Payments and subscriptions experience, including Stripe checkout, webhooks, and promotion codes
- Experience writing AI coding-agent instructions, skills, or custom tooling
- Experience building gaming tools such as databases, interactive maps, calculators, or planners
Am I A Good Fit?
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The Company
What We Do
AgileEngine is a privately held company established in 2010 that builds dedicated teams of designers and developers. We turn good ideas into awesome software that people actually want to use. Some of the biggest names and the hottest startups around the world chose us to build their tech.
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