At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build scalable APIs for the world's largest modding community.
- Company: Join Nexus Mods, a beloved platform in the gaming world.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4-day work week, remote options, and a monthly games allowance.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team that values autonomy and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on millions of gamers and creators worldwide.
- Qualifications: Experience in backend languages and API design is essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About Nexus Mods
If you’ve ever downloaded a Skyrim texture pack, turned Stardew Valley into a co-op farm sim, or pushed Cyberpunk to its limits with mods, chances are, you’ve already used Nexus Mods. Established in 2001, Nexus Mods is the world’s largest video game modding platform and a household name in PC gaming.
- 65M+ registered members
- 750K+ mods for 3,500+ games
- 18B+ downloads
We’re modernising our platform and building for the next decade of community-powered modding.
Our mission is to make modding accessible, safe, and rewarding for players and creators everywhere.
How We Work
At Nexus Mods, engineers don’t disappear into silos. You’ll join a cross-functional product pod. An autonomous, outcome-focused team with everything needed to ship real impact: Product Manager, Tech Lead, Backend/Frontend engineers, App Developers, Designers, QA, Community, and Content.
Pods own strategy, discovery, delivery, and results. That means you’re not just handed tickets, you help shape what gets built, test ideas with users, and see your work reach millions of gamers worldwide.
About the Role
We’re seeking a Senior Backend Engineer to design, build, and scale the APIs and systems that power the Nexus Mods ecosystem. This is a chance to work on problems most companies never see: massive scale, complex compatibility, and passionate user communities.
From discovery and experimentation to delivery and scale, you’ll be hands-on in shaping features that directly impact the modding ecosystem:
- Helping millions of gamers discover, download, and manage mods effortlessly.
- Empowering creators to publish, distribute, and manage their work with confidence.
- Building high-traffic APIs that serve millions of requests per hour.
- Designing backend systems that support both web and desktop applications.
- Improving performance, scalability, and reliability of critical services.
- Creating tools that make modding safer, more accessible, easier and more fun.
- Experimenting with new features and quickly validating ideas with real users.
- Tackling complex challenges around dependencies, versioning, and compatibility.
- Ensuring our platform evolves to handle the next decade of growth in gaming.
Responsibilities
- Design, build, and maintain backend services and APIs that power mod discovery, installs, publishing, and creator dashboards.
- Ensure services are performant, reliable, and secure at scale (tens of millions of users).
- Collaborate with Frontend, App, and DevOps Engineers in your pod to deliver end-to-end features.
- Contribute to product discovery by prototyping APIs, validating technical feasibility, and surfacing trade-offs early.
- Write clean, maintainable, and well-tested code.
- Set and maintain high standards and process: tests, CI/CD, documentation
- Help mentor other engineers and contribute to shared standards across pods.
Requirements
- Deep experience with at least one backend language (Ruby, PHP, Java, Go, Node.js, etc.) and curiosity to learn others.
- Experience designing and building APIs (REST and/or GraphQL).
- Solid experience with relational databases (Postgres, MySQL) and familiarity with NoSQL stores (Redis, ElasticSearch).
- Experience with distributed systems, queues, and event-driven architectures.
- Production experience with performance optimisation, caching, and scalability.
- Hands-on experience deploying services with CI/CD pipelines and container orchestration (Docker/K8s).
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a cross-functional team.
- Ability to balance speed, quality, and pragmatism in delivery.
Bonus Skills
- Familiarity with Ruby on Rails or Symfony.
- Knowledge of authentication, identity management, and payments.
- Experience with search systems (ElasticSearch, Meilisearch).
- Understanding of gaming ecosystems (e.g. multiplayer services, content distribution, or digital marketplaces)
- Experience building tools for creators, modding communities, or user-generated content platforms.
- Passion for games and mods. Whether that’s tweaking Skyrim load orders, building Minecraft servers, or diving into Baldur’s Gate 3 mods.
Why Join Us?
- Join a company loved by millions of gamers, where your work has a visible impact.
- Work in a 4-day week (32h, no reduction in pay).
- Remote-first, or join us in Exeter, UK (relocation assistance available).
- 25 Euros per month games allowance. Play anything you like.
- Private BUPA healthcare (you + your family).
- Flexible training budget for conferences, courses, or coaching.
- A culture of autonomy, discovery, and learning, not just shipping features.
This is more than another backend job. It’s a chance to shape the future of modding, empower millions of creators and players, and build something the gaming world truly relies on.
Senior Backend Engineer for Nexus Mods the Worlds Largest Modding Community in Exeter employer: Black Tree Gaming Limited
Nexus Mods is an exceptional employer that offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of the gaming industry, where your contributions directly impact millions of gamers worldwide. With a remote-first approach and a 4-day work week, employees enjoy a healthy work-life balance alongside generous benefits such as a games allowance and private healthcare. The collaborative culture fosters innovation and personal growth, making it an ideal environment for passionate individuals eager to shape the future of modding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Backend Engineer for Nexus Mods the Worlds Largest Modding Community in Exeter
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the gaming and modding community on platforms like LinkedIn or Discord. Join relevant groups, participate in discussions, and don’t be shy about sharing your passion for modding and backend engineering.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those related to gaming or modding. Highlight any APIs or systems you've built that could resonate with Nexus Mods' mission. A strong portfolio can speak volumes!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Nexus Mods. Understand their platform, the challenges they face, and think of innovative solutions you could bring to the table. Tailor your answers to show how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Nexus Mods team. Let’s make modding even better together!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Backend Engineer for Nexus Mods the Worlds Largest Modding Community in Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Gaming:When you're writing your application, let your love for gaming and modding shine through! Share any personal projects or experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for the gaming community. We want to see how you connect with our mission!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to fit the role of Senior Backend Engineer. Highlight your experience with backend languages, API design, and any relevant projects. We appreciate when candidates take the time to align their skills with what we’re looking for.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experience and skills. We value clarity, so avoid jargon unless it’s necessary. Remember, we want to understand your journey without getting lost in the details!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Nexus Mods!
How to prepare for a job interview at Black Tree Gaming Limited
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in the backend languages mentioned in the job description, like Ruby, PHP, or Node.js. Brush up on your API design skills, especially REST and GraphQL, as you'll likely be asked to discuss your experience with these during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous roles, particularly around performance optimisation and scalability. Nexus Mods is looking for someone who can tackle complex issues, so have examples ready that demonstrate your analytical thinking and creativity.
✨Understand the Gaming Ecosystem
Since this role is all about modding and gaming, it’s crucial to show your passion for games. Familiarise yourself with popular modding communities and tools, and be ready to share your own experiences with mods. This will help you connect with the team and show that you understand their mission.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Nexus Mods values cross-functional teamwork, so be prepared to discuss how you’ve collaborated with frontend engineers, designers, and other stakeholders in the past. Highlight any mentoring experiences too, as they’re looking for someone who can contribute to shared standards across pods.
