Team Lead - PHP (m/f/d)

At Smoobu, we are building more than just software. We empower everyday people to become successful entrepreneurs by helping them manage their vacation rentals simply and efficiently. Our platform supports over 100,000 properties in 120+ countries, enabling hosts to grow their businesses confidently and efficiently.
That kind of impact doesn’t come from playing it safe; it comes from people who take ownership, act purposefully, and work together to make things happen.

As Team Lead, you will play a key role in enabling product-focused teams by leading the development of scalable, serviceable backend interfaces. You'll drive architectural improvements, enforce clean coding standards and SOLID principles, and guide the decoupling of monolithic components into modular services. Alongside your technical leadership, you'll mentor your team, support their growth, and foster a focused, collaborative environment where individuals can thrive and take ownership of impactful work.

• Lead the platform’s architectural evolution from a monolithic system to a service-oriented design.
• Optimize engineering delivery practices by implementing scalable processes and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, quality, and operational excellence.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship, balancing hands-on involvement in technical decisions and architectural design with strategic oversight.
• Champion engineering best practices (architecture, reliability, security, scalability), and ensure the team stays current with evolving industry technologies and methodologies.

• Bring a strong technical foundation in software engineering, system design, and architecture, with at least 3 years of leading engineering teams.
• Have hands-on experience driving architectural transformation from monolithic to service-oriented or microservices-based systems
• Combine technical leadership with business acumen — navigating trade-offs thoughtfully to deliver value fast, while ensuring the platform remains scalable, maintainable, and technically sound. 
• Demonstrate expertise in Test-Driven Development (TDD), Domain-Driven Design (DDD), and scalable design patterns that promote reliability and maintainability.
• Have experience with Cloud platforms (preferably AWS) and backend development (latest versions of PHP, Symphony)
• Are a proactive mentor and team leader, thriving in fast-paced, high-growth environments with a high degree of ambiguity
• Have experience in SaaS companies and/or a travel tech space (a strong plus)

• Flexibility – We work remotely for up to 50% of the year, including up to 63 working days abroad.
• Time to Recharge – 27 vacation days, plus one extra day for each year of tenure (up to 32). Celebrate your 5th anniversary with five additional paid days off and a €500 HomeToGo booking credit.
• Learning & Growth – Mentorship program, German classes, professional development opportunities, and clear pathways for growth based on your performance.
• Wellbeing & Fun – Team events, a dog-friendly office, social clubs, new joiner buddy lunches, mental health support, and a Wellhub (Gympass) contribution.
• Perks & Discounts – Enjoy corporate discounts and exclusive offers through FutureBens and Corporate Benefits.
• Sustainability Commitment – We partner with Plan A to reduce our environmental impact through measurable climate action.
• Diversity – Our company language is English, and our team represents over 28 nationalities.

Recruitment Process

• 30-minute call with a recruiter
• 45-60-minute call with your future manager
• 45-60-minute technical assessment with a peer or stakeholder (this step may include a discussion of a take-home assignment)
• 30-minute call with your future team members
• Reference check & Offer

Please note that this is a general recruitment process and may vary depending on the role and the seniority level of the position.

Smoobu (www.smoobu.com), a subsidiary of HomeToGo Group, is a fast-growing startup in the vacation rental industry. Smoobu’s SaaS solution currently empowers private hosts to manage over 100,000 properties across more than 110 countries. Smoobu runs as an independent enterprise within the HomeToGo Group, ensuring its startup spirit and growth potential remain at the forefront. Our top priority is to assist hosts in efficiently managing and growing their businesses simultaneously.

Smoobu’s success is attributed to our dynamic, ambitious, and international team, dedicated to exceeding our customers’ expectations through expert advice and action. We celebrate diversity and operate in a truly global environment, embracing the challenges and opportunities that come with it. Join us on this exciting journey to transform the vacation rental industry!