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Coffee With Developers • May 18, 2018

Developing the Backend with Stefan Lingler, CTO at Shpock

Stefan Lingler , Thomas Pamminger

Stefan Lingler scaled Shpock’s backend to 10 million users without letting technical debt crush velocity. Discover how dedicating 1.5 days per release cycle to code cleanup sustained their massive growth.

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#1 about 2 min

Transitioning into backend engineering from web development

Choosing a backend role over mobile app development during early startup phases.

#2 about 2 min

Structuring and scaling the backend engineering team

Splitting backend developers into domain-specific teams helps distribute accountabilities while keeping product connection.

#3 about 2 min

Resolving misalignment with fast cross team meetings

Bringing members from different departments into short alignment meetings prevents week-long miscommunications.

#4 about 3 min

Managing daily priorities and establishing team alignment

Using objective and key results frameworks ensures developers understand priority changes driven by market needs.

#5 about 2 min

Balancing technical debt and clean code practices

Dedicating specific days in the release cycle to refactoring prevents the buildup of unmanageable legacy code.

#6 about 3 min

Scaling infrastructure for peak application traffic patterns

Aligning database technology choices with immediate scaling needs avoids over-engineering for distant future requirements.

#7 about 3 min

Maintaining product control during major company acquisitions

Retaining internal ownership of product roadmaps ensures continued focus on user innovation after corporate acquisition.

#8 about 2 min

Achieving zero downtime during major database migrations

Utilizing shadow deployments and background migration processes avoids service interruptions during infrastructure upgrades.

#9 about 2 min

Hiring backend developers with strong cultural fit

Assessing an eagerness to learn and aligning expectations remain critical when recruiting engineering talent.

#10 about 3 min

Expanding team diversity through refugee coding programs

Partnering with coding bootcamps for refugees brings new talent while navigating complex work permit requirements.

#11 about 2 min

Integrating third-party payment systems for marketplace transactions

Developing embedded marketplace checkout experiences through direct beta partnerships with major payment providers.

#12 about 2 min

Balancing flexible working hours and office presence

Offering flexible scheduling accommodates personal appointments while maintaining the collaborative speed of an office environment.

#13 about 2 min

Improving gender diversity in backend engineering teams

Actively encouraging female applicants helps enrich technical decision-making and software development processes.

Matching moments

5:58 min

Audience Q&A on remote engagement and startup culture

Daniel Schniepp Daniel Schniepp · WWC Europe 2026

1:20 min

Pivoting product strategy toward platform engineering

Alejandro Albuerne Alejandro Albuerne · WWC Europe 2026

3:34 min

Speaker background and shifting from developer to Scrum Master

Evelyn Forstner · LIVE

8:52 min

Discussing backend technical stacks and balanced performance evaluations

Sebastian Hans · LIVE

1:36 min

Behind the scenes of large tech event organization

Chris Heilmann +2 · LIVE

1:47 min

Transitioning from internships to full-stack backend engineering

Nicolas Haunold Nicolas Haunold +1 · Coffee With Developers

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