Backend Engineering Lead (FinDB)

The role is about:

Owning and leading the backend engineering function within the FinDB team, whose mission is to ensure smooth, reliable, and consistent financial data across platforms. FinDB is a core, business-critical fintech system responsible for managing client funds, reconciliation, fees, and financial operations that process millions of euros daily.

This role focuses on building and scaling backend systems that enable merchants to receive, process, and reconcile payments efficiently, while setting the technical direction, quality standards, and engineering culture for the team. A key part of the mandate is to grow an independent, high-ownership engineering team, reducing reliance on single individuals and enabling sustainable delivery.

Location: Frankfurt, Germany

Reporting to: Head of Development

What will you do:

• Lead the backend architecture for a core, non-checkout fintech product managing client funds and financial data
• Partner closely with the Head of Development, Delivery Manager, Product, Finance, and other stakeholders to define architecture drivers and non-functional requirements (scalability, reliability, security, performance)
• Design, implement, and evolve scalable backend services using PHP and the Laravel ecosystem (framework flexibility considered for strong candidates)
• Select and evolve frameworks, tools, and architectural patterns aligned with long-term platform strategy
• Architect, optimize, and maintain complex MariaDB/MySQL schemas, ensuring data integrity and performance for financial transactions
• Translate complex business, regulatory, and financial requirements into robust technical solutions
• Own backend technical decisions, balancing delivery of new features with proactive technical debt management
• Lead and participate in code reviews, setting a high bar for code quality, testing, and maintainability
• Operate confidently in high-pressure, deadline-driven environments, including investigations, financial corrections, and time-sensitive operational issues
• Mentor and guide engineers, supporting technical growth, autonomy, and best practices
• Build, hire, and scale a self-driven, independent engineering team with strong ownership and accountability
• Foster a healthy engineering culture built on transparency, trust, ownership, and technical excellence
• Manage team performance, development plans, and hiring in collaboration with leadership

What we need:

Must-have

• Strong backend engineering experience with PHP
• Proven experience designing and maintaining scalable, high-availability backend systems
• Solid database design expertise with MariaDB or MySQL, including performance optimization
• Experience working on complex, business-critical systems (fintech, payments, or financial platforms strongly preferred)
• Mandatory background or strong hands-on exposure to accounting, reconciliation, or financial systems
• Strong understanding of non-functional requirements (security, performance, reliability, scalability)
• Experience leading technical decisions, architectural discussions, and code reviews
• Proven team leadership experience, including mentoring and guiding engineers
• Ability to translate business and financial requirements into technical solutions
• Excellent communication skills in English
• Ownership-driven leadership style with the ability to lead by example
• Comfortable making decisions in complex, ambiguous, and high-stakes environments
• Collaborative, transparent, and outcome-oriented mindset

Nice-to-have

• Experience in fintech or payments industry
• Exposure to distributed systems or high-throughput transaction platforms
• Experience with API-first architectures and complex integrations
• Familiarity with cloud environments and containerization
• Experience working closely with Finance, Product, and Delivery teams
• Business, Engineering, or Finance-related degree

Hiring Process:

• Initial Interview – A 30–40-minute conversation with the Talent Acquisition team to assess background, leadership exposure, finance/accounting experience, and role alignment
• Panel Interview – A stakeholder discussion with the Hiring Manager and team (Head of Development, Delivery Manager, and Engineering/Product partners) to assess collaboration, leadership style, and decision-making
• Technical Interview – A 60–90-minute deep dive led by the Hiring Manager and a senior engineer, focusing on backend architecture, PHP expertise, databases, and real-world problem solving (may include live or scenario-based exercises)
• Final Interview – A strategic and culture-fit discussion with senior leadership to confirm alignment on ownership, vision, and long-term impact

High-potential candidates based in Frankfurt, may be invited for a in-person technical interview round in Frankfurt.

The perks of being a payabl.er

• Competitive Compensation: Step into a role that values your contributions with a market-aligned salary and bonus potential reflecting our annual success.
• Extended Vacation Time: Recharge with 28 vacation days, plus special holidays on December 24th and 31st, ensuring plenty of time for leisure and relaxation.
• Empowered Career Trajectory: Unlock your full potential in a flat-hierarchy setting that fosters rapid professional growth and open dialogue.
• Global Perspectives: Immerse yourself in an international environment, enriching your career with diverse experiences and viewpoints.
• Tech Tailored to You: Craft your perfect setup by choosing between Mac or Windows laptops, enhancing both comfort and productivity.
• Community and Collaboration: Dive into a culture of unity through regular team events that build connections and foster collaboration.
• Hybrid Harmony and Relaxation: Embrace the best of both worlds with hybrid work options and unwind in our relaxation area, complete with a massage chair.

Ready to Join Us?
Let's embark on a journey to redefine the landscape of payments together. We're not just offering a role; we're inviting you to be a part of something bigger. Join our team, and let's innovate, disrupt, and lead the future of payments. Together, we can make an impact that resonates. Welcome to the team!

If this role seems like a good match, please submit your resume all applications are treated with the strictest confidentiality. Please note that we may keep your CV for a period of one (1) year for future relevant job opportunities. For more information about how we process your data please see our privacy policy at https://payabl.com/privacy-policy