Mobile Game Backend Developer

Our Values :

Driven by PLAYER OBSESSION, we look to craft unparalleled gaming experiences.

OWNERSHIP is our compass, propelling us to deliver exceptional results.

With a spirit of RESOURCEFULNESS, we fearlessly tackle challenges and defy limitations.

Driven by the ethos of CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, we foster a culture of perpetual learning and growth.

The Opportunity :

Kano is looking for a Mobile Game Backend Developer with a proven track record in developing, implementing, and releasing backend systems for mobile games. You’ll be joining our Idle team, which includes titles like  Idle Distiller . We’re a small, fast-moving team where the code you write gets deployed quickly and has a real impact. In this role, you’ll be responsible for backend development, testing, and maintaining high code quality. If you’re a developer who thrives in a collaborative environment and is excited to work closely with our creative, marketing, production, and live-ops teams — we’d love to hear from you! The position is open to residents of British Columbia, Canada.

Key Responsibilities :

• Lead server-side design and development for online mobile games, ensuring scalability and stability using PHP and MongoDB.
• Drive technical innovation in server architecture and implement best practices.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate server logic with game engines, leveraging the chosen technologies for data management.
• Develop and maintain efficient APIs using HTTP protocols for mobile game clients.
• Design and implement optimized database schemas for game data storage and retrieval.
• Optimize server performance for high concurrency and low latency.
• Mentor junior server developers and ensure code quality.
• Conduct code reviews and identify areas for improvement.
• Stay updated on relevant server-side technologies and propose enhancements.
• Collaborate on technical requirements and project milestones for server development.
• Maintain clear technical documentation for server architecture and APIs.
• Design and implement robust data querying and aggregation strategies.

Essential Qualifications :

• 3+ years of server-side development experience with strong PHP skills.
• Proven experience in game server architecture.
• Strong understanding of OOP and modern software design.
• Extensive experience with HTTP and RESTful APIs.
• Experience with MongoDB.
• Strong desire to build scalable server solutions.

Nice to Have :

• Experience with C# / C++
• Experience with Unity game engine, or other game engines
• HTTP client development experience.
• Experience with high-volume applications.
• Cloud platform experience (e.g., AWS).
• Unix / Linux proficiency.
• CI / CD and automated testing experience.

Salary : ($72,000 - $115,000)

The listed pay range reflects the potential earnings for this role. Actual compensation will depend on experience, skills, and alignment with company needs, typically falling toward the midpoint for most candidates

Kano is a remote-first workplace with an in-person attendance requirement 2-6 times a year.

What we offer

• Competitive wages determined by market research
• Uncapped profit share program
• Health, dental and vision benefits
• 3 weeks vacation to start
• Paid holiday shutdown in December
• 12 paid Care Days per year
• Yearly Continuous Improvement allowance
• A results-driven company with a compassionate culture
• Opportunity to work on game projects that are enjoyed by millions of players worldwide!
• Ability to make a difference. Have an idea? Talk directly with leadership about it instead of running through layers of bureaucracy

About Kano

Since inception, Kano has released twelve gaming titles (seven of which are live serviced today), with over 35 million downloads and close to $100M in sales.

Bootstrapped in 2008, and achieving profitability in 2009, Kano continues to grow its team, game portfolio and player base as an independent gaming studio, with hit games like Mob Wars , Idle Distiller and Monster Country .

Canadian owned and full-remote, we believe in giving small teams of talented people challenging problems and getting out of their way. That’s why we look for the best and brightest to join our team; people who have talent, vision, and commitment.

Check out this article If you'd like to get some insight into our hiring process, our employee manual to understand how and why we do things the way we do, and this fun little video for an intro to the team!

• 2024 Great Place to Work Certified™
• 2023 Great Place to Work Certified™
• 2022 Best Workplace™ for Mental Wellness
• 2022 Best Workplace™ in Canada - Less than 50 employees
• 2022 Best Workplace™ in British Columbia
• 2021 Best Workplace™ in British Columbia
• 2020 Best Workplaces™ in Canada – Less than 100 employees
• 2020 Best Workplaces™ for Inclusion
• 2020 Best Workplaces™ for Mental Wellness
• 2020 Best Workplaces™ in British Columbia
• 2019 Great Place to Work - British Columbia
• 2019 VIATEC Employer of the Year - Finalist
• 2018 VIATEC Company of the Year (11-49 Employees) - Winner
• 2018 VIATEC Employer of the Year - Finalist
• 2017 VIATEC Company of the Year (11-49 employees) - Finalist
• 2014 VIATEC Employer of the Year - Winner
• Kano is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, age, disability, medical condition, religion, marital status or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law