Role Overview
We are looking for a Backend Engineering Lead who will be responsible for the overall backend ecosystem across the organization, combining people leadership with ownership of backend architecture, standards, and delivery quality.This role ensures that backend development and architecture is consistent, scalable, and aligned with product, while growing backend engineers and enabling teams to deliver effectively.The Backend Lead operates in close alignment with the Head of Engineering and Chapter Leads, ensuring all key decisions and initiatives follow the broader engineering vision.Main responsibilities
Backend Ownership & Strategy
Define and drive the backend vision across teams (architecture, design systems, tooling, standards).Ensure consistency in how backend applications are built and maintained.Own cross-team backend topics.Make and enforce key technical decisions when alignment is needed.
Team Leadership & Capability Building
Lead and support backend engineers, ensuring efficient and impactful delivery of initiatives while driving team engagement, efficiency, and growth.Raise the bar of backend engineering through regular 1:1s, performance check-ins, coaching, and clear development support.Identify skill gaps and drive training and mentoring initiatives to close gaps, improve capability, and strengthen ways of working.Own and drive key people processes for the team (hiring, onboarding, offboarding, performance reviews, compensation cycles) with consistency and quality.Build a strong backend community (guilds, knowledge sharing, standards).Own awareness of department KPIs/goals and drive recommendations for continuous improvement in team performance.
Delivery & Quality Accountability
Ensure backend delivery is predictable, scalable, and high quality across teams.Identify and resolve systemic delivery or quality issues.Support teams to avoid risky complex backend initiatives.
Cross-Functional Leadership




Align backend work with frontend/data/platform constraints and opportunities.Act as the main escalation point for backend-related decisions.
Hands-on Technical Leadership
Stay close to the codebase through selective PR reviews and architectural guidance.Contribute to critical or high-risk backend areas when needed.Guide teams on best practices (testing, performance, accessibility, maintainability).
Qualifications
Strong experience with Java stack (SpringBoot, Liquibase, etc.).Proven experience leading backend initiatives across multiple teams.Experience defining architecture and driving adoption at scale.Experience mentoring senior engineers and influencing technical direction.Solid understanding of Java and Postgres performance, database modeling and risk analysis.Experience working with cross-functional stakeholders.Salary
We provide transparent internal salary bands. For this role the expected salary range is around 85,000€ - 90,000€, with final compensation depending on experience and performance.Benefits
Competitive, annually reviewed compensation package.Country vacation package that increases with tenure.Country specific benefits including private health care, fitness, and meal allowances.Annual personal development budget to increase impact.Hybrid working mode, plus up to 3 months per year to work from anywhere.All the best kit and tools to work effectively.Annual in-person company event and celebration in Europe.Opportunity to work with an exceptional team and make a significant impact.EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, disability, or age. Our hiring practices are rooted in fairness and respect, and we strive to create a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered. We actively support the power of diversity, uniting complementary talents and perspectives to address new challenges.

📌 Java Backend Engineering Lead (Madrid)
🏢 Qualifyze
📍 Madrid