Job Title: Software Development Engineer - II (SDE II)

• Location: Vadodara (On-site)
• Experience: 7+ Years
• Department: Engineering / Product

About the Role

We are looking for a highly skilled and execution-driven Software Development Engineer - II to join our core product engineering team. This role demands strong ownership, deep backend expertise, and the ability to design and build scalable, real-time, and high-performance systems.

You will play a key role in architecting and developing robust backend systems using Laravel, working with real-time communication (sockets), and handling complex database design and optimization.

This is not a maintenance role - we are looking for someone who can build, optimize, and scale systems end-to-end.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain scalable backend systems using Laravel (PHP)
• Architect and implement real-time features using socket-based communication (WebSockets, event-driven systems)
• Design and optimize database schemas, queries, and transactions for high performance
• Write clean, maintainable, and testable code following best practices
• Lead complex feature development from requirement to deployment
• Optimize application performance, scalability, and reliability
• Troubleshoot production issues and implement long-term fixes
• Collaborate with frontend, QA, and product teams to deliver high-quality releases
• Contribute to system design discussions and architectural decisions
• Mentor junior developers and enforce engineering standards

Required Skills & Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in backend development
• Strong expertise in Laravel framework and PHP ecosystem
• Solid experience with real-time systems / socket programming (WebSockets, Redis Pub/Sub, etc.)
• Deep understanding of database design and optimization (MySQL/PostgreSQL)
• Strong knowledge of query optimization, indexing, and performance tuning
• Experience building and consuming RESTful APIs
• Proficiency in Git and version control workflows
• Strong understanding of OOP, design patterns, and clean architecture
• Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments
• Strong debugging and problem-solving skills

Must-Have Competencies (Non-Negotiable)

• Ability to own features end-to-end with minimal supervision
• Strong focus on performance, scalability, and code quality
• Hands-on experience in handling production systems
• Ability to break down complex problems into scalable solutions
• High accountability and engineering discipline

Good to Have

• Experience with queue systems (Laravel Queues, RabbitMQ, Kafka, etc.)
• Familiarity with caching strategies (Redis, Memcached)
• Exposure to microservices architecture
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices
• Basic understanding of frontend frameworks (React, Vue)
• Knowledge of cloud platforms (GCP, AWS)

Day 1 Expectations

In the first few weeks, you will be expected to:

• Set up the local development environment and understand system architecture
• Take ownership of a moderate-to-complex backend module
• Contribute to code reviews and follow existing engineering standards
• Analyze and optimize at least one database query or performance bottleneck
• Understand existing socket-based workflows / real-time systems
• Fix production issues with a focus on root cause and long-term solutions
• Actively participate in sprint planning and technical discussions
• Start contributing to system improvements and refactoring initiatives

What We’re Looking For

• Strong engineering mindset with attention to detail and performance
• Someone who takes ownership, not just tasks
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, product-driven environment
• Clear communicator who can explain technical decisions
• Continuous learner who stays updated with modern backend practices

Why Join Us

• Work on complex, real-world product systems
• Opportunity to build scalable and real-time architectures
• High ownership and impact on product direction
• Collaborative, performance-driven engineering culture