Software EngineeringVery High

Backend Developer

Build server logic, APIs and databases. Essential for any tech product.

Salary
50K - 95K EUR
Demand
Very High
Key skills
5
Updated
Feb 2026

Backend Developer

The Backend Developer is the invisible architect behind every successful application. In today's market, the demand for scalable, secure, and well-documented backends is extremely high. Companies highly value experience with cloud, microservices, and distributed databases. With the explosion of AI/ML, many backend developers are pivoting to hybrid roles combining data engineering with API development, opening even more opportunities.

Skills

Node.js
Python
SQL
REST APIs
Cloud (AWS/GCP)

LinkedIn Optimization

  1. 1

    Highlight your skills with distributed systems and scalability

  2. 2

    Mention specific databases you master (PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis)

  3. 3

    Share articles about software architecture and best practices

  4. 4

    Connect with recruiters at tech companies you target

  5. 5

    Add cloud certifications (AWS, GCP, Azure) to your profile

CV & Resume

  1. 1

    Focus on metrics: "Designed API handling 10K requests/second"

  2. 2

    Detail experience with different databases and queue systems

  3. 3

    Include open source contributions if you have them

  4. 4

    Show experience with CI/CD and DevOps practices

  5. 5

    Highlight microservices vs monolith experience

Outreach Strategy

  1. 1

    Talk about the company's tech stack and why it attracts you

  2. 2

    Mention a technical article from the company's blog you enjoyed

  3. 3

    Provide concrete examples of scale problems you've solved

  4. 4

    Connect with engineers on the team first, not just HR

  5. 5

    Offer to do a pair programming session as a form of interview

Interview Prep

  1. 1

    Prepare architecture diagrams of systems you've built

  2. 2

    Review design patterns and when to apply each one

  3. 3

    Practice system design interviews with real problems

  4. 4

    Be clear on SQL vs NoSQL differences and when to use each

A day as Backend Developer

Your day starts reviewing monitoring dashboards and production metrics. Then, design reviews for new APIs, implementing backend features, optimizing SQL queries, and working with the infrastructure team on deploys. Afternoons usually include technical documentation and mentoring juniors.

Career Path

Junior Backend Developer
Mid Backend Developer
Senior Backend Developer
Staff/Principal Engineer
Architect
CTO

Common mistakes

  • Not mentioning experience with systems at scale on your CV

  • Forgetting to talk about security and best practices

  • Not preparing system design for interviews

  • Underestimating the importance of technical communication

  • Not having a technical blog or visible contributions

Essential tools

DockerKubernetesPostgreSQLRedisAWS/GCPTerraformDataDog

FAQ

Average salary for a Backend Developer?

The average salary for a Backend Developer in Europe ranges between 50K - 95K EUR. This varies by experience, location, and company type.

Key skills for a Backend Developer?

Main technical skills: Node.js, Python, SQL, REST APIs, Cloud (AWS/GCP). Soft skills like communication and teamwork are equally important.

Career path for a Backend Developer?

Typical path: Junior Backend Developer > Mid Backend Developer > Senior Backend Developer > Staff/Principal Engineer > Architect > CTO.

Backend Developer

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