Senior Backend Developer

About VYTAL

Let's lift the VYTAL software!

Are you ready to conquer the digital world of fitness and healthy lifestyle? Not by setting PRs with heavy weights, but by developing a platform that is the benchmark for the industry. In short: let's lift the VYTAL software. Join us as a Senior Backend Developer!

At VYTAL, we work with a close-knit and multidisciplinary development team on our own software and app - the platform for gyms, clubs, fitness boutiques, PT studios, trainers, and coaches. We are building a solid, scalable, and modern technical foundation with which we support thousands of users daily in their vitality.

To strengthen our backend team, we are looking for a Senior Backend Developer (PHP/Laravel) who gets energy from technical challenges, smart solutions, and building future-proof software. You are someone who loves structure, but is also not afraid to tackle complex problems. You actively contribute to discussions about performance, security, data, and architecture. Quality is paramount for you: good is only good enough if it is truly scalable, maintainable, and secure.

What you'll do

• You are part of the VYTAL product team, responsible for the (further) development of our platform and app.
• Together with your colleagues, you work on the backend architecture, develop high-quality APIs (both REST and GraphQL), and contribute to the technical direction of the team.
• You will optimize the backend architecture, guide the transition from REST to GraphQL, and help decouple monolithic components into reusable services.
• You will collaborate closely with mobile developers and the Product Owner to define API contracts, technical requirements, and roadmap priorities.
• Furthermore, you will continuously ensure the quality, scalability, and security of the backend.

What you bring to the table

• HBO/WO work and thinking level;
• Demonstrable experience as a backend developer in PHP and Laravel (10+);
• In-depth knowledge of designing, building, and maintaining (GraphQL) APIs;
• Experience with REST, GraphQL (Laravel Lighthouse), and modern API authentication (OAuth2, JWT, RBAC);
• Strong knowledge of MySQL and optimization of queries, indexing, and caching strategies;
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, test automation (PHPUnit, Mockery), and containerized environments;
• Familiar with architectures based on services, queues, and event-driven patterns;
• You enjoy contributing to discussions about scalability, security, and performance;
• You guide and coach colleagues, actively share your knowledge, and elevate the team technically.
• You are strong in communication, pragmatic, and enjoy working in an agile team.

Nice-to-haves for this position:

• Experience with Kubernetes and ArgoCD;
• Experience with Google Cloud;
• Experience with GraphQL within Laravel (Lighthouse);

What we offer you

• We are a young, dynamic scale-up with an informal work culture where hard work is done. We fix it together!
• A great job with a lot of (creative) freedom for 32-40 hours per week;
• Fun, sporty, and smart colleagues;
• A workplace that is (or will be) fully equipped in our beautiful modern office in Alphen aan den Rijn (directly at the station, so easily accessible);
• A hybrid work schedule, where we work 50% from home and 50% at the office.
• On Mondays and Thursdays, the entire team works at the office. If you want to work at the office more often, you are most welcome!
• We regularly have a (sporty) team outing, a nice lunch or dinner, but also a fun drink or party;
• Not entirely unimportant: a good monthly salary (4500 - 5750 euros) and 26 vacation days (for a 40-hour workweek);

And what does VYTAL do?

VYTAL has the all-in-one vitality software for gyms, personal trainers, and coaches in the Netherlands and Belgium. The app (for coaches and users) makes it possible to manage everything related to nutrition, exercise, mindset, administration, invoicing, and community in one place. Simple, scalable, and time-saving. So that you, as a coach, can focus on what really matters: guiding your clients to the fittest version of themselves!

As a fast-growing scale-up in the health and fitness industry, VYTAL continuously develops to meet market needs. As a team, we are driven and have a clear mission. And to achieve that, we need you as a back-end developer so badly.

Let's get VYTAL!

We'll list the benefits for you again:

• Money. A good salary, depending on your experience;
• Vacation, if you promise to come back;
• Good working atmosphere, with colleagues you'll be happy with;
• Room for personal development and coaching in it;
• Contributing to a great mission to make people fitter and happier;
• Lots of freedom through a combination of working at the office and at home;
• Laptop and travel expenses reimbursement, because you need to be able to do your work;
• Drinks and outings, for team building and fun :)

So, what are you waiting for?

Let's get VYTAL!

"The best employer ever, you just want to work here. I think so myself. As an employer ;)."