Backend Engineer - Build production systems and AI-powered solutions

Backend Engineer - Build production systems and AI-powered solutions Playground Dev is for people who like building real things. Not endless discussions, not guarding code, but shipping systems that actually get used. We're looking for a backend-heavy engineer who enjoys solving hard problems, working close to production and exploring how AI can be applied in real systems. Titles matter less to us. What matters is what you've built, how you think, and how you work with others. Why Playground Dev? Here, the distance from idea to execution is short. We focus on building, learning, and continuously improving how we work with modern tech and AI. We're a tight-knit team based on Gamla Brogatan in Stockholm, with a strong culture of knowledge sharing. We spend time understanding new tools, experimenting with AI, and learning from each other. The bar is high, and we push each other to keep getting better. Our work is done in teams, not as individual consultants. You'll be part of a Playground team delivering projects together, combining solid backend engineering with growing expertise in AI and applied LLM systems. What we build We don’t just talk about AI. We build and ship it: Mapping and Migrations: System mapping of massive enterprise codebases and automated migrations using custom-built AI agents. VC Intelligence: Automated due diligence tools for VC firms to analyze startup tech stacks, architecture, and risks. Anomaly Detection: Real-time identification of deviations and events using AI agents to catch what humans miss. Next-Gen Interfaces: High-end chatbot solutions for global brands launching new products. Automated Insights: Deep integration with tools like Microsoft Word to automatically generate complex analysis reports based on real estate market data. What you'll do Together, we build advanced systems, experiment with new models, and probably have at least one side-gig or passion project running just because it is fun. We value skills and genuine interest over fancy diplomas. Are you self-taught? Great. Do you have a Master’s degree? Also great. What matters is what you can do with the code, and how you are with people. Build backend systems that run in production Design APIs, services, and data flows Work with AI integrations such as LLMs and agents Deploy and operate systems in cloud environments Work as part of a team delivering solutions to clients, not as a solo consultant Contribute to internal products and technical initiatives Who are you? You are technically heavy and thrive in the backbone of the system. You are a specialist in building logic that scales, but you are not dogmatic about a single language. You prefer the right tool for the job. Backend is your home turf. Whether your mother tongue is Go, Node, Java, or C#/.NET , you know how to write robust and scalable code You are a doer. You like seeing results and understand that great code is code that actually reaches production and solves real problems AI-curious. You do not need to be a Prompt Engineer yet, but you see the potential in AI and want to be where the action is No Gollums. We have no room for lone wolves who hoard their knowledge. You share what you know, you are approachable, and you understand that we are stronger as a team. We value people who build things. Side projects, open source, weird experiments - show us what you’ve done. Skills & Requirements: This is the role for someone who wants to focus on the backend but understands the bigger picture: Must-have: Deep, hands-on experience in at least one of our core backend languages (Go, Node, Java, or C#/.NET). Nice-to-have: Experience with cloud environments such as AWS or GCP, or having tinkered with LLMs and AI integrations. The X-factor: A genuine interest in tech. Maybe you have built your own bot, run a home server, or contributed to open source? Tell us about it! Language requirements : Fluency in Swedish and English, as most (not all though) of our collaborations and client projects are conducted in Swedish. Some also require extended background vetting. Let's Play! Applying to us is a breeze, at least according to us =) Upload your resumé or use your Linkedin profile Answer the choice-questions (no "please-rewrite-your-resume" nonsense, promise) Feel free to include links to your portfolio, GitHub or similar if you have stuff you're proud of that you want to share with us (or epic fails and the learnings you took from that) Important notes: Playground Group does not provide visa sponsorship or relocation support Applicants must already have a permanent and independent right to work in Sweden As part of the final stage of the recruitment process, a background check conducted by a third party will be carried out. Welcome to Playground! At Playground, you work on real, complex assignments for well-established and ambitious clients, not bench projects or short-lived experiments. Our teams are trusted with production systems, platforms, and data that actually matter. Here growth comes from ownership, curiosity, and doing the work properly. You’re trusted to think, contribute, and keep getting better, one meaningful step at a time. Playground brings together specialized domains under one umbrella, with a shared culture and way of working, and easy access to broad technical expertise when it helps move the work forward. Buzz: Software Engineer, SW Developer, Fullstack, Programmer, Hacker, Coder, Frindly, Humble, no ass-hats, Backend Engineer, Consultant, Java, .C#, .NET, Node, Javascript, Docker, Kubernetes, LLM AI, Sverige, Sweden, Stockholm Department Playground Dev Locations Stockholm Remote status Hybrid Stockholm About Playground Group At Playground Group, we start, own, and grow companies — and the people who lead them. We’re a corporate group with a sharp focus on technology and leadership, built around specialized companies that together form a uniquely strong offering. Founded in 2008 Co-workers 80+ Turnover +300M