> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/3021741-principal-backend-engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/3021741-principal-backend-engineer). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Backend Engineer - **Company:** Black Tree Gaming Limited - **Location:** UK (Remote available) - **Salary:** £80,000.0 - £90,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), PHP (Programming Language), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Software Applications, User Authentication, Software Quality, Continuous Integration, Relational Databases, Distributed Systems, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Cisco Nexus Switches, Node.Js, NoSQL, Redis, Ruby, Management of Software Versions, Technical Debt, Backend, Event Driven Architecture, Kubernetes, Graphql, User Generated Content, Docker, Golang - **Published:** September 21, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.adzuna.co.uk/jobs/details/5892344864 ## About the Role * Extensive backend engineering experience, ideally with gaming or tech. * Deep experience with at least one backend language (Ruby, PHP, Java, Go, Node.js, etc.) * Strong system design and architecture skills. * Experience building and scaling APIs (REST and/or GraphQL). * Solid understanding of distributed systems and event driven architectures. * Experience with relational databases (Postgres/MySQL) and NoSQL (Redis/ElasticSeach). * Experience with CI/CD, Docker, and Kubernetes. * Strong communication skills and ability to lead through influence. * Comfortable balancing speed, quality, and pragmatism. Bonus Skills: * Experience with authentication, payments, or search systems. * Background in high scale platforms or UGC. * Understanding of gaming ecosystems (e.g. multiplayer services, content distribution, or digital marketplaces). * Experience building tools for creators, modding communities, or user-generated content platforms. * Passion for gaming, modding, or creator ecosystems. ## Description We're looking for Principal Backend Engineer to join our Backend Engineering team. You will act as the technical lead within a cross functional pod building Nexus Mods' core services. This is a hands-on role focused on shaping technical decisions, guiding the pod's engineering work, supporting the team technically, and ensuring delivery is robust, scalable, and aligned with our technical direction. This is a chance to work on challenges most companies never encounter: * Massive scale serving millions of users and requests. * Complex mod compatibility, dependencies, and versioning. * A deeply engaged and passionate global modding community. From discovery and experimentation to delivery and scale, you'll play a key role in shaping systems that: * Help millions of gamers discover, download, and manage mods effortlessly. * Empower creators to publish and manage their work with confidence. * Power high traffic APIs and distributed systems at scale. * Support both web and desktop applications. * Enable rapid experimentation and iteration on new features. * Ensure the platform evolves to support the next decade of growth. Role Responsibilities * Own technical direction within your pod (architecture, design, tooling, trade-offs). * Build and scale backend services and APIs serving millions of users. * Ensure systems are performant, reliable, and maintainable. * Align pod decisions with wider platform architecture. * Support and unblock engineers to help teammates work efficiently. * Collaborate closely with Product, Design, and other disciplines. * Drive engineering standards across code quality, testing, and delivery. * Contribute to discovery, prototyping, and iterative delivery. * Identify and tackle technical debt and scalability challenges. ## Related Videos - [Leveraging Real time data in FSIs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/806-leveraging-real-time-data-in-fsis) - [Coffee with Developers: David Heinemeier Hansson](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/875-coffee-with-developers-david-heinemeier-hansson) - [Reducing LLM Calls with Vector Search Patterns - Raphael De Lio (Redis)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1714-reducing-llm-calls-with-vector-search-patterns-raphael-de-lio-redis) - [WeAreDevelopers LIVE - "Fun and games - and all that comes with it", Back to BASIC & more](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1719-wearedevelopers-live-fun-and-games-and-all-that-comes-with-it-back-to-basic-more) - [Coroutine explained yet again 60 years later](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/690-coroutine-explained-yet-again-60-years-later) - [Inside Bitpanda's Tech Stack: Scaling a European Fintech Leader - Markus Dorner](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1979-inside-bitpanda-s-tech-stack-scaling-a-european-fintech-leader-markus-dorner) ## Related Articles - [What’s the Difference Between Frontend and Backend Development?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/240-what-s-the-difference-between-frontend-and-backend-development) - [Backend Developer Salary in Germany [2023]](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/196-backend-developer-salary-in-germany-2023) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Find a Developer Job: 12 Best Job Sites For Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/165-find-a-developer-job-12-best-job-sites-for-developers) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline) - [Dev Digest 120 - Apple and peers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/455-dev-digest-120-apple-and-peers)