Back End Developer

Kico is a fast-paced startup building enterprise management applications designed to run end-to-end business operations. We are seeking a hands-on, high-ownership Backend Developer based in or near Trivandrum who can take complete ownership of our backend infrastructure, data flow, operational pipelines, and client integrations.

In this role, you will architect the backend engine that powers entire enterprise workflows—from data pipelines and complex MySQL queries to real-time integration with Unity Engine clients (via REST APIs and WebSockets). 

Key Responsibilities

End-to-End Operational Pipelines: Architect and maintain backend pipelines for complex enterprise operations, state machine transitions, task execution, and background job processing.

Unity Engine Integration: Design, build, and secure low-latency RESTful APIs and WebSocket connection layers tailored for seamless communication with Unity client applications (using UnityWebRequest, JSON serialization, and state syncing). 

Core Backend Architecture: Build and optimize modular server-side business logic and APIs using PHP and CodeIgniter.

Database Performance & Optimization: Design robust MySQL database schemas, write high-performance queries, handle complex ⁠JOIN⁠s, and implement indexing/caching strategies to handle high-frequency reads and writes from Unity clients.

Startup Ownership & Execution: Work directly with founding leadership to rapidly turn enterprise operational requirements into production-ready code.

Mandatory Requirements:

Unity Engine Integration Experience: Proven experience interfacing PHP/MySQL backends with Unity clients—handling HTTP ⁠UnityWebRequest⁠, session token authentication, real-time data sync, and payload serialization.

Enterprise Application & Pipeline Expertise: Demonstrated history of building multi-step data pipelines, transactional workflows, and state-machine systems in ERPs, CRMs, or operational platforms.

Core Tech Stack Mastery:

3+ years of professional experience in PHP (OOP principles, session management, security patterns).

Deep hands-on experience with CodeIgniter (CI3 / CI4 routes, helpers, libraries, and REST extensions).

Advanced MySQL skills (schema design, indexing, execution plan analysis, and multi-table transactions).

Location: Based in or willing to work hybrid/remote from Trivandrum.

Technical Stack & Tools

Backend & API: PHP, CodeIgniter 3 / CodeIgniter 4, RESTful APIs, WebSockets (Ratchet / Swoole)

Client Interface: Unity Engine (C# ⁠UnityWebRequest⁠, JSON Data Parsing)

Database: MySQL

Tools & DevOps: Git, Composer, Postman, Linux / cPanel environments