Assignment description
You will design, build, and operate scalable backend services that power a modern esports and streaming platform. The role covers system architecture, API development, real-time data processing, and platform reliability. You will work across the full service lifecycle — from initial design through deployment and production operations — while contributing to engineering standards and technical direction.

Key responsibilities include:
– Designing and implementing scalable backend systems and APIs
– Owning backend architecture, data models, and integrations
– Building event-driven services and internal platform tools
– Processing real-time and near-real-time match, tournament, and user activity data
– Ensuring performance, reliability, and security in production systems
– Driving architectural and technical decisions
– Contributing to engineering best practices and standards
– Reviewing code and mentoring other engineers
– Collaborating closely with product, frontend, and design teams

About the team
You will be joining a small, senior, cross-functional engineering organization (~8 engineers).
It is led by the CTO and they work using Shape Up methodology.
Their delivery organized into focused 2–6 week “bets”, each bet has a designated lead responsible for delivery and updates.

Must haves
– 5+ years of professional backend software development experience
– Strong proficiency in Kotlin and Ktor
– Proven experience designing backend architectures and data models
– Experience building REST and/or GraphQL APIs
– Hands-on experience with distributed systems
– Practical experience with Kubernetes
– Cloud infrastructure experience (AWS or GCP)
– Experience with CI/CD, automated testing, and monitoring
– Comfortable owning services end-to-end (design through production)
– Strong collaboration habits using Git and pull request workflows
– Ability to identify and implement AI-assisted engineering workflows

Nice to Have:
– Experience with GO
– Experience with video streaming or transcoding
– Experience with FFmpeg-based tooling
– Background in data pipelines or real-time/event data
– Experience working with game, telemetry, or streaming data
– Experience in small, product-focused companies
– Interest in esports or gaming

Other requirements
– Comfortable working in a fast-moving startup environment
– Able to make sound technical decisions with incomplete information
– Product-oriented mindset with focus on user value
– Self-driven and hands-on execution style
– Strong communication and collaboration skills
– Able to work independently in a remote setup
– Proactive in communication and collaboration
– Comfortable asking questions and proposing solutions
– Collaborative and low-ego
– Energizing and constructive in team discussions
– Mentorship and code review experience
– Interest in continuous improvement of systems and processes

About the customer
Znipe Esports is a niche esports streaming company that provides high‑quality streaming experiences for major esports tournaments. They work primarily with ESL FACEIT Group. They build a next-generation esports and streaming platform focused on real-time experiences, scalability, and modern architecture. The product is developed from the ground up with a strong engineering culture, modern infrastructure, and a long-term platform vision.

The company is based in Sweden and combines a mature, experienced engineering team with a strong passion for esports. Joining this assignment means contributing directly to the viewing experience of fans around the world who follow their favorite games and tournaments through Znipe’s platform.

Industries
Gaming