Job Announcement Backend Developer (High-Scale WordPress & API) (US or MENA Region)
The Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc. (MBN) is seeking a Backend Developer who will play a key role in building and maintaining MBN’s digital infrastructure, with a primary focus on the backend systems and services powering alhurra.com, a high-traffic WordPress.com platform. This position is responsible for developing scalable, secure, and high-performance backend systems that support the company’s content platforms and digital products. The ideal candidate is a technically strong, solutions-oriented developer with a passion for clean, efficient code and experience designing robust systems for large-scale digital environments.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The following tasks are considered essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions:
- Lead backend development and contribute to the overall technical strategy for MBN’s digital platforms.
- Design, build, and maintain secure, scalable, and high-performance WP REST API and GraphQL endpoints, custom WordPress plugins, and themes that extend the alhurra.com platform.
- Develop reusable components, templates, and libraries to enhance efficiency and reduce redundancy.
- Upgrade existing platforms by improving functionality, optimizing performance, and modernizing architecture.
- Collaborate with mobile development teams to build applications optimized for performance and large-scale data handling.
- Design and maintain efficient database schemas, working with and extending the core WordPress database structure, ensuring data integrity and optimal query performance.
- Implement advanced security practices to protect user data and mitigate risks across digital systems.
- Integrate third-party services and APIs to expand and enhance platform functionality.
- Ensure all backend systems meet standards for scalability, maintainability, and performance.
- Troubleshoot and resolve backend issues in collaboration with digital, front-end, and DevOps teams; document code and maintain version control standards.
- Implement and manage SEO tools - including structured data, meta tags, and XML sitemaps - within Agile development cycles.
Other Duties:
Perform additional job-related duties and take on new responsibilities as needed based on organizational requirements and circumstances.
Qualifications and Requirements:
- Candidates are required to have:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
- Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in backend or full-stack development.
- Strong skills in database design (SQL), REST API development, and application architecture.
- Solid understanding of web technologies including HTTP, REST, AJAX, and JSON.
- Proven experience building scalable, secure, and high-performance backend systems.
- Familiarity with version control (Git) and Agile development practices.
- Expertise with WordPress coding standards, action/filter hooks, custom post types, and the WordPress Object Cache API.
- Strong problem-solving, debugging, and documentation skills.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
- Ability to accommodate flexible work schedule to support 24/7 news environment.
- Ability to prioritize competing deadlines.
- Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.
Preferred:
- Experience with modern JavaScript frameworks (e.g., Vue, React, or Angular).
- Knowledge of SEO best practices and backend optimization for search engines.
- Understanding of accessibility, cross-browser compatibility, and web standards.
- Experience integrating third-party services and APIs.
- Familiarity with cloud infrastructure or DevOps tools.
MBN is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity.