Backend Software Engineer

As a Backend Software Engineer at IQEQ, your primary responsibilities will include collaborating within a dynamic development team to enhance our proprietary RegTech software solutions. You will be programming new software modules, resolving bugs, and working closely with superusers to identify new business requirements. A focus on writing clean, efficient code while being aware of potential security risks is also essential. This role allows you to contribute significantly to the software architecture and ensure that the applications meet the evolving needs of the alternative asset industry.

To qualify for the Backend Software Engineer role at IQEQ, you need to have at least 4 years of commercial experience in PHP development, particularly with modern frameworks like Symfony or Laravel. Additionally, 2+ years of experience in Agile/Scrum methodologies is necessary. An understanding of OOP SOLID principles, designing RESTful APIs, and experience in writing automated unit tests is crucial. While knowledge of financial compliance processes isn't necessary, a willingness to learn business workflows is essential. Excellent communication skills in English are also a must.

As a Backend Software Engineer at IQEQ, you will primarily work with a LAMP stack comprising Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP. The specific PHP framework you’ll be using is Symfony to develop backend microservices. Familiarity with other technologies such as RabbitMQ for queueing systems and caching mechanisms could be beneficial. Furthermore, being exposure to IDE environments and CI tools like Bitbucket and Jira is part of the workflow, ensuring a seamless development process.

While having experience in financial compliance processes is not necessary for the Backend Software Engineer role at IQEQ, candidates should exhibit a willingness to learn and understand business workflows relevant to the alternative asset industry. Your primary focus will be on software development, but having an appreciation for the compliance landscape will enhance your contributions to developing effective RegTech solutions.

As a Backend Software Engineer at IQEQ, you’ll be part of a highly collaborative environment that values growth and learning. There are ample opportunities to enhance your skills in software architecture, Agile methodologies, and advanced technology solutions. You will work alongside seasoned professionals, providing an excellent platform for mentorship and career advancement. Whether you aim to deepen your technical expertise or expand into leadership roles, IQEQ fosters an environment conducive to your professional growth.

Microservices are an architectural style that structures an application as a collection of small, loosely coupled services, which communicate over well-defined APIs. As a Backend Software Engineer, understanding the microservices approach is crucial because it allows you to develop scalable and maintainable applications. When answering this question, you should discuss the benefits of microservices in terms of flexibility, faster deployment, and team autonomy.

To ensure your code is efficient and maintainable, you should adhere to coding standards like OOP SOLID principles and write well-structured, clean code. Emphasize the importance of code reviews, writing unit tests, and using design patterns. Sharing examples from your past experience where you enhanced code quality or refactored for better performance can provide solid backing to your answer.

In a team-based Agile environment, one common challenge is managing differing opinions on code solutions or design approaches. Addressing this question, you could talk about the importance of open communication, collaborative problem-solving, and how you leverage Agile ceremonies like stand-ups and retrospectives to find common ground and move forward effectively.

When debugging code, I follow a structured approach: first, I will reproduce the issue to understand its context. Then, I examine logs and use debugging tools to trace the problem, isolating it from the rest of the application. Sharing specific techniques or tools you use, such as logging frameworks or automated testing, can significantly enhance your answer.

My experience with REST APIs includes designing and developing API endpoints to facilitate communication between microservices. I ensure they adhere to best practices such as proper status codes and versioning. You can enhance your answer with a specific example where you implemented REST APIs for a project, highlighting your role and the impact it had on the overall application performance.

Unit testing is vital in backend development as it helps ensure that each module functions as expected. This testing methodology reduces the number of bugs and simplifies code refactoring. When discussing unit testing, highlight any tools you've used, like PHPUnit, and provide an example of how unit tests caught a critical issue before deployment.

Handling tight deadlines in software development requires efficient planning and time management. I prioritize tasks based on their impact and dependencies, and I communicate proactively with my team. Explain your balance between speed and quality, focusing on how you've successfully met deadlines without compromising on the output in previous roles.

Caching strategies such as in-memory caching (e.g., using Redis) or HTTP caching can significantly enhance application performance. These methods reduce the load on databases and speed up response times. You can provide examples of past projects where you implemented caching, discussing the performance improvements observed as a result.

CI/CD is a method of software development where code changes are automatically tested and deployed to production, facilitating a more efficient development process. This approach minimizes integration issues and speeds up delivery cycles. Clarifying your understanding of CI/CD tools, such as Bitbucket and Jenkins, can strengthen your answer while providing context based on your experience with these tools.

I stay updated with the latest in PHP and backend development through various means, such as following key thought leaders, participating in online communities, and enrolling in relevant courses. Mention any blogs, podcasts, or conferences you follow, showcasing your commitment to continuous professional development and passion for the technology.