Senior Backend PHP Developer

We are looking for an experienced backend developer who can contribute to our backend architecture and DevOps infrastructure, and help make AI a practical part of how we build software.

You’ll work on a complete learning, assessment, and exam platform as part of a professional team in a flat, fast-growing organization. We invest in your growth and offer room for your own initiatives and technical decisions.

️What You’ll Do

• Develop and maintain the backend of our products

• Improve architecture with modern design patterns

• Maintain a stable infrastructure together with the DevOps guild, sharing experiences across the whole company

• Migrate and integrate our products into a single platform

• Contribute to our shift toward AI-driven development by integrating AI tools and practices into how we design, build, review, and ship code

What You Bring

• HBO/WO level of work and thinking; we care more about what you bring than your diploma

• Experience with our backend and infrastructure stack with a willingness to work with legacy code

• Experience using AI tools as a regular part of your development workflow, with an AI-first mindset for improving how software is designed, built, reviewed, and shipped

• Proactive attitude toward innovation and teamwork

• Good command of English (we have an international team)

Not sure you meet every requirement? We still encourage you to apply.

Nice-to-Haves

• Familiarity with PHP frameworks like Symfony, Laravel, or Yii

• A track record of integrating multiple SaaS products into a unified platform

• Hands-on experience with GitLab CI, AWS/ECS or other cloud providers and Terraform

Team and Way of Working

You will join a product development team of 16 people. Engineers work across backend, frontend, QA, and DevOps; product owners, a Scrum Master, and a technical team lead handle product direction and delivery.

We work with Scrum and have a clear roadmap that gives direction while leaving room for technical improvements and team input. Developers also collaborate through guilds for backend, frontend, development practices, DevOps, and knowledge sharing.

Why You’ll Want to Work Here

Paragin Group is a fast-growing SaaS scale-up in the EdTech market. Our team of over 100 colleagues works from Nijkerk, Amsterdam, Ede, and Uden on innovative EdTech solutions with international growth ambitions.

Our mission is to support lifelong development of knowledge, skills, and competencies through software solutions that enhance learning and professional growth across various sectors, including education, business, and government.

Contract Details

• Minimum 32 hours per week

• Hybrid work setup, with at least two days per week at our office in Amsterdam

• Comprehensive onboarding and personal development opportunities

• Impactful work in a growing company with international ambitions

• Salary indication between €4,500–€5,500 per month, with final placement depending on experience and expertise

• 29 vacation days, expense allowance, pension scheme

• One-year contract with the prospect of permanent employment

• Culture of collaboration, trust, and development

• OpenUp access for mental/emotional wellbeing support

• Social activities - company outings, Monday afternoon sprint parties, board games, sports activities, table football, and darts

Excited?

Apply now and become part of our innovative development team!

The Application Process

After you apply, you will receive a confirmation of your application from us. We aim to respond to you as soon as possible.

If we see a potential match, we will invite you for a first interview at our office. If there is a mutual fit, a second interview follows, where we dive deeper into the role and collaboration. An additional assignment, case, or job shadowing will be part of the process. Are we both enthusiastic? Then we would love to make you a suitable offer.

Good to Know

• For this position, you must live in the Netherlands and be authorized to work in the Netherlands

• We do not offer support for visas or relocation

• A Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) application is part of the procedure.

• Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated