We are a Dutch startup developing a web platform for a professional user base in the Netherlands. Our platform processes large datasets and combines traditional backend development with search and AI-related functionality. We are looking for an experienced PHP developer to join our team full time. You will work together with our tech lead and lead developer to build and extend the backend of the platform. This role is primarily focused on backend development and requires someone who is comfortable working in a structured codebase with modern tooling and infrastructure. You will participate in a daily stand-up at 09:00–09:30 CET, so partial overlap with the EU timezone is required. This is a remote full-time position. WHAT YOU WILL DO Your work will mainly focus on backend development and building new functionality based on detailed functional and technical designs. Your responsibilities include: - Developing backend functionality using PHP and Laravel 11 - Working with ElasticSearch for search functionality and AI-related data processing - Designing and implementing APIs and backend services - Working with PostgreSQL for data storage and queries - Maintaining and extending an existing monolithic Laravel codebase - Collaborating with other developers through GitLab - Participating in code reviews and reviewing work from other developers - Implementing new features based on functional and technical specifications - Contributing to improvements in performance, scalability and maintainability - Working in a containerized environment using Docker and Kubernetes ElasticSearch is a central component in the system and will be used to process and connect large datasets that will ultimately grow to millions of records. WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR We are looking for a developer who can work independently and who has experience building and maintaining production backend systems. Required experience: - At least 5 years of professional experience with PHP - Strong experience with Laravel (preferably recent versions) - Experience working with PostgreSQL or similar relational databases - Experience working with ElasticSearch - Experience working with Git-based workflows (GitLab) - Experience developing APIs and backend services - Experience working in collaborative development environments with code reviews - Strong written and spoken English Nice to have: - Experience working with large datasets and search systems - Experience with Docker-based development environments - Experience with Kubernetes-based deployments - Experience with Redis or queue-based systems - Familiarity with Matrix chat infrastructure WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE Within the first months you will: - Become familiar with the existing Laravel codebase and architecture - Contribute new backend functionality based on existing technical designs - Help improve the reliability and performance of backend components - Work together with the development team through code reviews and shared development practices APPLICATION INSTRUCTION To help us identify candidates who read the description carefully, please start your proposal with the word Tulip. Also briefly answer the following questions in your proposal: - When working with large datasets in ElasticSearch, what are common mistakes that can lead to slow queries or unstable performance? - In Laravel applications with high traffic, what are typical causes of performance problems and how would you approach solving them? - If you had to process and link millions of records between PostgreSQL and ElasticSearch, what architectural considerations would you take into account?