Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Backend Engineer (f/m/x) - remote

at refurbed

🏢 About refurbed

refurbed is Europe's fastest-growing marketplace for refurbished electronics, operating in 23 countries with over €2Bn in GMV. They combine sustainability with a profitable, high-performance culture, and are recognized as a Top DACH Employer for four consecutive years. As a remote-first company, they offer full autonomy over location while fostering a fast-paced, impact-driven environment.

About This Role

As a Senior Backend Engineer in the App squad, you'll design and implement scalable backend services that power refurbed's mobile app and marketplace. You'll be a key technical leader, guiding backend decisions across squads to ensure seamless mobile app performance. Your work directly impacts the customer experience and supports the company's mission of making sustainable consumption easy.

💡 A Day in the Life

You'll start your day by checking async updates from your team, then dive into designing APIs or writing code for a new mobile feature. You'll have meetings with product managers and mobile engineers to align on requirements, and later review pull requests or mentor junior developers. Your day is a mix of deep technical work, collaboration, and decision-making to ensure the backend supports a seamless app experience.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who refurbed Is Looking For

  • Experienced in building scalable backend services, likely with proficiency in languages like Java, Kotlin, or Go, and strong knowledge of RESTful APIs and microservices architecture.
  • Deep understanding of mobile app backend requirements, including API design for performance, offline support, and efficient data transfer.
  • Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally within a product squad, influencing technical direction and mentoring other engineers.
  • Comfortable in a fast-paced, autonomous environment with a bias for action and a focus on delivering business impact.

📝 Tips for Applying to refurbed

1

Tailor your resume to highlight backend projects that specifically supported a mobile app, emphasizing how you optimized APIs for mobile constraints.

2

In your cover letter, mention refurbed's mission and how your technical skills can contribute to sustainable consumption.

3

Showcase experience with high-growth, e-commerce or marketplace platforms to align with refurbed's scale.

4

Highlight any experience with remote-first work and your ability to communicate effectively asynchronously.

5

Before applying, research refurbed's tech stack (if known) and mention any relevant technologies in your application.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Express enthusiasm for refurbed's mission and the opportunity to combine backend engineering with sustainability.", 'Detail your experience with building backend services for mobile apps, providing specific examples of challenges you solved.', 'Emphasize your ability to work autonomously and take ownership in a remote-first, fast-paced environment.', 'Mention your collaborative skills and experience working in cross-functional product teams.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read refurbed's blog or news to understand their recent growth and product developments.
  • → Check their tech stack on LinkedIn or Glassdoor to see what languages and tools they use.
  • → Explore their mobile app to understand the features and user experience.
  • → Look into their sustainability impact and how they measure CO₂ savings.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Design a backend service for a mobile app feature, focusing on API design, caching, and offline support.
2 How do you ensure low latency and high availability for a mobile backend?
3 Describe a time you influenced other teams to adopt a technical approach that benefited mobile app performance.
4 How do you handle trade-offs between backend complexity and mobile app simplicity?
5 How do you stay aligned with product managers and mobile engineers in a remote-first environment?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't submit a generic resume without highlighting mobile-specific backend experience.
  • Avoid focusing only on backend technologies without showing understanding of mobile constraints.
  • Don't neglect to mention your alignment with the company's sustainability mission.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to refurbed!

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