Senior Backend Developer (PHP/Java) - RaceBets
Backend developer on the 12-person RaceBets team at Betsson Group, owning features end-to-end for a global horse-racing betting platform: PHP 8+ REST APIs and services, SQL performance in a high-traffic real-money system, payments/partner integrations, ~15% Java work, with optional growth into Vue 3/TypeScript full-stack work.
- Compensation
- Not disclosed
- Location
- Malta
- Work setup
- Onsite
- Seniority
- Senior
- Employment
- Not specified
- Experience
- Not specified
- Category
- Backend
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- Strong PHP 8+, REST APIs, and SQL in production
- Automated testing and a high quality bar
- Product mindset - clarify requirements, push back when needed, care about outcomes
- Self-starter who collaborates well in a small team
- Mid-level or senior experience level
Nice to have
- Java experience
- Vue/TypeScript experience
- Betting/fintech domain experience
- Symfony components
Full description
Shape the world's top horse racing betting platform
The Wow
Join a team of 12 building RaceBets - a global horse racing product used by millions. We're looking for a product-minded backend developer who ships high-quality features, not just endpoints - someone who asks why, owns outcomes, and cares about correctness in a real-money system. Betting, settlements, payments, and partner integrations - where reliability and performance directly affect the business.
A taste of what you will be involved with:
- REST APIs and backend services in PHP 8+ for our web and B2B platforms
- Feature ownership end-to-end: requirements → implementation → test → release
- Performance, architecture, security, and SQL in a high-traffic, SQL-first codebase
- Third-party integrations (payments, data feeds, partners)
- AI tools to move faster without cutting corners
- (~15%) occasional Java (BetX) - debugging and integration across the PHP/Java boundary
- (Growth) Vue 3 / TypeScript if you want to grow full stack
What we are looking for
- Strong PHP 8+, REST APIs, and SQL in production
- Automated testing and a high quality bar
- Product mindset - clarify requirements, push back when needed, care about outcomes
- Self-starter who collaborates well in a small team
- Mid-level or senior - we care more about mindset and craft than years
- Bonus: Java, Vue/TS, betting/fintech, Symfony components
Why join us
RaceBets: High ownership and direct impact - mostly PHP, with room to grow into Java or frontend.
What we offer
Much like riding a rollercoaster, sometimes life at Betsson can be lightning fast with twists and turns but always FUN! Then again, what else would you expect from a business 75% millennial and 1700 strong, spread across 7 offices with 900 based out of our Malta HQ alone! We recognise it may not be for the faint-hearted, but if you’re a go-getter, initiator and adrenaline junkie, always striving to push the boundaries and challenge yourself, then you’ll fit right in.