Junior Backend Engineer (m/f/x)

About the role

Travelcircus is looking for a Junior Backend Engineer to join its development team. You will help build robust, scalable technology platforms, systems and APIs that power the company’s travel booking services.

Key responsibilities

• Build and extend platform services and booking systems.
• Design, develop and maintain a transactional API platform used internally and by third‑party partners.
• Leverage AI tools to improve the development workflow.
• Participate in code reviews and pair programming sessions.
• Improve the existing codebase that serves tens of thousands of daily users.
• Identify and resolve bugs and performance bottlenecks.

Required profile

• Experience building web applications and distributed web services.
• Knowledge of PHP, object‑oriented programming, relational databases and data modelling.
• Strong SQL skills, including writing and debugging queries.
• Familiarity with AI agents such as Claude or Codex.
• Comfortable using Linux/macOS command‑line tools.
• Experience with message queues and Elasticsearch is a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication in English; German is a plus.
• Experience working in Agile environments.

Required skills

• PHP
• Object‑oriented programming (OOP)
• SQL
• Relational databases
• API development
• Service‑Oriented Architecture
• Linux/macOS command line
• Message queues
• Elasticsearch
• AI agents (Claude, Codex)

What we offer

• Flexible working hours with part‑time, flexitime and two remote days per week.
• Stylish loft office with a start‑up atmosphere, regular team events and shared cooking.
• Transparent communication through flat hierarchies, fixed feedback cycles and weekly meetings.
• Comprehensive onboarding, continuous training and clear promotion pathways.
• Additional compensation and discounts on public transport tickets and over 800 partner providers.
• Personal travel budget of €1080 per year.
• Work‑life balance with 28 vacation days (increasing up to 35), health management and a pension plan.