Base pay range

CA$90,000.00/yr - CA$110,000.00/yr

Overview

Substrakt is a UK-based company with global impact, helping arts and cultural organisations create exceptional digital experiences. We are looking for a Backend Engineer to join our Engineering team, building robust, high-quality backend solutions that power our clients\' websites and digital products.

This is a remote role for a candidate based in the Eastern Standard Time (EST) zone in Canada (Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, or Newfoundland). You will work with our UK team to better support North American clients.

What you\'ll do

• Create exceptional backend solutions across a range of projects for our client base, including new builds, updates to existing websites, API integrations, infrastructure configurations, and other server-side tasks. Technologies include PHP, WordPress, MySQL, SQL, Python, Wagtail, Heroku, and AWS (S3, CloudFront, RDS) with emphasis on performance, security, and scalability.
• Ensure quality and performance by writing clean, efficient, and secure code; test, debug, and optimise performance; contribute to code reviews and maintain high technical standards.
• Collaborate with frontend engineers, designers, and client-facing roles to ensure smooth delivery; communicate with clients when needed and support Producers and Support & Solutions Managers in scoping and technical planning.
• Own your work by taking responsibility for technical quality, contributing to internal best practices, shaping backend engineering processes, participating in solution reviews, maintaining technical documentation, and supporting continuous improvement.

What you\'ll bring

• Strong experience in backend development using modern frameworks and tools (e.g., PHP, Python, WordPress, Wagtail, Django).
• Familiarity with relational databases (MySQL) and cloud infrastructure (Heroku, AWS, Cloudflare).
• Understanding of performance optimisation, secure coding practices, and scalable system design.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team; friendly and helpful communication with clients.
• Initiative, problem-solving mindset, and a drive to deliver high-quality work; openness to learning and knowledge sharing.

Benefits

• Flexible, hybrid working model supporting autonomy and work-life balance.
• Enhanced time-off policies including 25 vacation days plus public holidays and a birthday-free policy.
• Private healthcare and a monthly wellbeing allowance of $90.
• Professional development: 6 days per year plus a $925 budget.
• Team engagement through weekly communications, meetings, internal awards, annual team gatherings in Ontario, and an annual UK visit (optional).
• Focus on the right team structure and accountability, with opportunities to influence Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Internal Culture, Accessibility, AI, and Sustainability.

About Substrakt

Substrakt is a purpose-driven, B-Corp accredited organisation that values creativity, openness, and continual improvement. We work with arts and cultural organisations to create meaningful digital experiences.

Equal Opportunity

Substrakt is an equal opportunities employer. We believe that diversity of thought and experience makes us stronger, and we actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. Read more about our approach to inclusive recruitment.